Month: November 2016

In Act 5 Scene 5, Macbeth has just found out that Lady Macbeth has just jumped off the castle. This is the quote.

She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word. Creeps in this peety pace from day to day and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle, life’s but as walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing. 

1) Macbeth means that after the death of Lady Macbeth he questions the point of living.

2) At this point in the play, 10,000 troops are on their way disguised at Birnam Wood to Dunsinane Castle where Macbeth is staying and his wife is dead.

3) “Life’s but a walking shadow”. This personification is used by Shakespeare in order to present the ideology of the struggles Macbeth is now facing with what life actually means. Shadow symbolises the darkness Macbeth has within. Furthermore, the scenario is paradoxical as a shadow cannot walk or be there unless someone casts that shadow.

Semantics: The meaning of a piece of text.

Act 3 Scene 1: Banquo has arrived at the royal palace in Forres and gets straight into accusing Macbeth of killing Duncan. Then enters Macbeth (King) and Lady Macbeth who is queen enter. Banquo goes riding with his son Fleance and Macbeth is left alone on the stage. Macbeth talking to the audience says he is afraid that Banquo will reveal it was Macbeth that killed Duncan. He then says that Banquo was clever enough to plan a plot against him even though he hasn’t yet. Macbeth then says that he has a problem that he doesn’t have children of his own to pass the crown to. Macbeth at the end says he is jealous of Banquo’s children because they get to be King without living through the agony he has and legally. Macbeth is interrupted by the servant and 2 murderers. He talks to them about all the previous encounters. Macbeth then tells the murderers their poverty is down to Banquo. Macbeth asks them rhetorically if they want to die a beggar or a noble man.

Act 3 Scene 2: Lady Macbeth is in a room with a servant and asks him or her to tell the King (Macbeth) that she would like to speak to him. Lady Macbeth is expressing regret. This is important. This is where the characters cross over. Macbeth seems relaxed and Lady Macbeth is panicking. Lady Macbeth says to Macbeththat they shouldn’t dwell on the events. Macbeth says that the deed isn’t completed as they still haven’t killed Banquo. Lady Macbeth says that they need to put on a brave and happy front because they are now King and Queen of Scotland. And make our vizards to out hearts. 

Act 3 Scene 3: The 3 murderers enter ready to kill Banquo (ME). Banquo gets killed and Fleance escapes. The murderers take Banquo’s body.

Act 3 Scene 4: Macbeth greets everyone at the banquet. The first murderer tells Macbeth that Banquo’s dead but Fleance is still alive. Macbeth then starts to talk to the ghost of Banquo who is sitting in Macbeth’s chair. Lady Macbeth calms everyone down saying he usually does this. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth starts an individual conversation with Lady Macbeth saying that he needs to stop hallucinating and Macbeth is trying to explain that Banquo was in his chair.

Act 3 Scene 5: This scene is all about the witches. Hecate is the predominate speaker and is the chief witch.