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Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
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The two central characters change in opposite directions. Tracking that change is the key to top-band answers.
Macbeth: from hero to tyrant
At first he is a brave soldier, praised as "brave Macbeth".
He hesitates over murder and admits his only motive is "Vaulting ambition".
After killing Duncan he becomes more ruthless, killing without hesitation.
By the end he feels life is meaningless: "a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing."
He hesitates over murder and admits his only motive is "Vaulting ambition".
After killing Duncan he becomes more ruthless, killing without hesitation.
By the end he feels life is meaningless: "a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing."
Lady Macbeth: from control to collapse
At first she is powerful and manipulative. She calls on spirits to "unsex me here".
She tells Macbeth to "look like th' innocent flower, / But be the serpent under 't."
Later she is overcome by guilt, sleepwalking and trying to wash imaginary blood away: "Out, damned spot!"
She tells Macbeth to "look like th' innocent flower, / But be the serpent under 't."
Later she is overcome by guilt, sleepwalking and trying to wash imaginary blood away: "Out, damned spot!"
Writing about change
Use time phrases: "At the start... By Act 3... By the end..."
Link each change to a quotation and to Shakespeare's message, for example that ambition without morality leads to destruction.
Link each change to a quotation and to Shakespeare's message, for example that ambition without morality leads to destruction.
What does "look like th' innocent flower, / But be the serpent under 't" show about Lady Macbeth?
- It contrasts something harmless (a flower) with something dangerous (a serpent).
- The serpent links to the Devil tempting Eve in the Bible.
- It shows she is deceitful and is tempting Macbeth towards evil.
Answer: She is manipulative and deceptive, and is linked to evil temptation.
Macbeth grows from hesitant hero to ruthless, empty tyrant. Lady Macbeth falls from controlling manipulator to a woman broken by guilt.
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