Power (relationships)

The influencing power of the three Witches

Manipulative power of Lady Macbeth over Macbeth

"When durst you do it, then you were a man"

Characterisation

"All hail Macbeth! ...Thane of Glamis...Thane of Cawdor... /and King hereafter."

The power of fear that Banquo places over Macbeth - Threats that will stop one from achieving their goal and moving on in life. “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare is about noble Macbeth trying to maintain his role as the ruler of Scotland, however Banquo, Macbeth’s friend, is what is keeping him from maintaining the Crown.

"...royalty of nature/reigns that would be fear'd"

Apparitions:
1 - "Beware Macduff"
2 - "No man born of a woman shall harm Macbeth"
3 - "...until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill /Shall come against him"

"Unsex me here"

Imagery

  • Lady Macbeth is speaking to spirits in order to assist her in her murderous thoughts; she hopes that she will become stronger, crueler, and eviler
  • shows the relationship Lady Macbeth holds with power as she is encouraging herself to kill Duncan as she believes that Macbeth is "too full of the milk of human kindness"
  • Lady Macbeth is manipulating her husband Macbeth by speaking of his manhood
  • she gains more and more control over Macbeth as the play goes on

Characterisation

  • Banquo is the father to a line of Kings, meaning there are many Kings after Macbeth, all of which are his blood
  • the witches influence Macbeth’s perception on Banquo, causing him to do foul play
  • Banquo’s ghost haunts Macbeth and shows his developing insanity as he loses sleep from all his murders
  • Banquo is equally as important dead or alive, because his line of the prophecy prevents Macbeth from keeping the Crown, the witches show him in a different light to Macbeth

“Lesser than Macbeth, and greater,”

Characterisation

  • Banquo is shown in a different light to Macbeth by the witches who influence Macbeth’s view on Banquo
  • the witches reveal Banquo’s line of his prophecy
  • Macbeth has just been told he will be King, but hears that Banquo also has good things in store for him as his son's will be Kings
  • Macbeth wants to stay as king and if Banquo is greater than him, he will not allow it, so he goes to kill him and attempt to kill his son, Fleance

Anaphora (List)

Anaphora (list)

  • Macbeth is greatly reassured, but his confidence in the future is shaken when the witches show him a line of kings all in the image of Banquo
  • after the witches disappear, Macbeth discovers that Macduff has fled to England and decides to kill Macduff’s family immediately
  • Macbeth is given false hope
  • gives Macbeth confidence is commit regicide