Title: Act 1 Scene 6/7
Read Act 1 Scene 6.
This is a very short scene.
This scene uses a lot of positive language in direct
contrast to the rest of the play.
Can you find examples of dramatic irony?
How does Lady Macbeth act towards Duncan in this
scene?
Act 1 Scene 7
We are learning about:
Macbeth’s inner thoughts and feelings in Act 1 Scene
7 and about Lady Macbeth’s influence on Macbeth.
How would you describe these two characters?
LO: To analyse the language, structure and
form of Act 1 Scene 7.
Macbeth’s soliloquy: Key words Lady Macbeth’s dialogue: Key words
• Conditional tense • Manipulative
• Metaphor • Ruthless
• Simile • Interrogatives
• Conjunction • Persuasive
• Adjectives • Violent imagery
• Abstract nouns • Modal verbs
• Euphemism
• Conscience
• Morality
• Religious
• Internal conflict
• Jacobean audience
What do Macbeth’s use of
Act 1, Scene 7
Macbeth's castle. Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage. Then enter MACBETH conjunctions show about his
MACBETH If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well Besides, this Duncan state of mind?
It were done quickly: if the assassination
What tense is he using in ‘If it were Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
done when 'tis done, then 'twere well/It So clear in his great office, that his virtues
With his surcease success; that but this blow How does he think people
were done quickly:’? What is he saying Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
Might be the be-all and the end-all here, will respond to the news of
here? The deep damnation of his taking-off;
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, Duncan’s death?
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases
What is he willing to risk by committing Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
the murder? Why is this shocking for Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
the Jacobean audience? Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
What does Macbeth acknowledge when To our own lips. He's here in double trust;
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
he says ‘But in these cases First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
And falls on the other.
We still have judgment here’? Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, What does he mean when
Who should against his murderer shut the door, he says ‘I have no spur
Not bear the knife myself. To prick the sides of my
intent, but only
What reasons does he give for not Macbeth never says ‘murder’ or Vaulting ambition, which
committing the murder? Why do you ‘death’. What words/phrases does he o'erleaps itself/And falls on
think he lists reasons against killing use instead? What technique is the other.’?
Duncan? employed here? Why do you think he
uses these?
Key Question: LADY MACBETH
What do we learn about the 36
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dress'd yourself? Hath it slept since?
character of Lady Macbeth in 37 And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
38 At what it did so freely? From this time
the Act 1 scene 7? 39 Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
40 To be the same in thine own act and valour
41 As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
42 Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
• Why does Lady Macbeth 43 And live a coward in thine own esteem,
continually question Macbeth? 44
45
Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would,"
Like the poor cat i' the adage?
• How does she try to manipulate LADY MACBETH
him? [...] I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me.
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
• What does her violent language Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you
suggest about her character? Have done to this. (1.7.62-67)
LO: To analyse how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a
manipulative character.
Plenary
In your opinion, who is more to blame for the
plotting of Duncan’s death?
