Midterm of Shakespeare

I. Autobiography of Shakespeare
 Importance:
 Historical background
-1603: Queen Elizabeth died
-1609: London’s theater with a roof-Mostly for nobles
-1611: James published the Bible of English version
(Strengthen the status of people, they can know the content without other’s
telling; the start of the distinguish of Protestant and Catholist)
-1613-1616: Retired and die

II. Macbeth
 Background
-Gunpowder plot: unsuccessfully attempted against King James I
(Protestant) by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby
-King James

 Genre: one of the Four Great Tragedy

 Plot
-Introduction:
Witches say Macbeth and Banquo's sons will be kings.
-Rising Action:
*Macbeth, Lady Macbeth kill Duncan; Macbeth becomes king.
*Seeing Banquo as a threat, Macbeth has him killed.
*Witches' additional prophesies make Macbeth feel invincible.
*Macduff induces Duncan's son Malcolm to fight for Scotland.
*Lady Macbeth loses her mind and dies.
-Climax:
*Malcolm leads troops into battle against Macbeth
-Falling Action
*Macduff kills Macbeth on the battlefield.
-Resolution:
*Malcolm takes his place as rightful King of Scotland.

 Themes
-Ambition
(1) “ If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me
Without my stir.” —Shows his desire but he lacks of motivation and action
 (2) The reaction of Lady Macbeth—shows she would persuade him to make
some effort to make the prophecy come true; she pushed Macbeth by
challenging he is too kindness and not qualified to be a “man.”
(3) After hearing the news that Duncan would come to Macbeth’s house,
Lady Macbeth shows her ambition to persuade Macbeth to kill the King.
(4) Monologue of Macbeth to persuade himself to kill Duncan—
* He’s the relative of Duncan
* He must be loyal to him
* Guest-host relationship
* Duncan is kind, so no one wants to kill him
However, after his struggle, he still feels no “spur” on him.

-Supernnatral power
(1) The prophecy of witches: The first prophecy said that Macbeth would
first become the thane of Cawdor and then become the King; and Banquo
would be the father of the Kings\ The second prophecy (led by Hecate)
gives three apparition to Macbeth: Aware of Macduff; The power of men
without the born by mother; The wood came against you.—gives Macbeth
the security to go on.
(2) Banquo’s ghost: indicates the guilty of Macbeth; causes the suspection

-Security:
(1) He feels secured by the spell of witches
(2) He killed all the family members of Macduff rather that threatening him
might indicate his jealousy for his family members.
(3)

-Men or Human
(1) “I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more is none.”—He’s in the dilemma of being a man who
dare to do anything or to keep the quality of human being. Finally, after
Lady Macbeth’s challenge, he still choose to kill Duncan.
(2) The morn of Macduff—He should be a male to protect them; He felt
sorrow because he is a human being

(3) the death of Siward’s son

 Symbols
 Characters
-Lady Macbeth: The Confidant(e) of Macbeth—Someone trusted and
without any conceal. The turn point of being no longer his confidante is
when he decided to murder Banquo without saying anything to his wife.
Her end of life stems from the insecurity of Macbeth’s isolation and the
guilt of Banquo’s death and Macduff’s family.
 Writing technique
-Eqivocation
(1) “So faul and fair a day I have not seen”— the weather
(2) “Cannot be ill, cannot be good if ill”—Macbeth, if the prophecy is good,
why he feel so stressed.
(3) When Macduff asked Ross abt his wife and familly, Ross replied,
“Well.” The purpose to send this Eqivocation is to make Macduff prepared
to hear the truth.
-Simile
(1) “As two spent swimmers that do cling together”
Early in the play, the Captain uses this simile to compare the warring
armies to a pair of exhausted swimmers hanging onto each other to try to
stay above water, but instead threatening to pull each other under.
(2)
-Metaphor
(1) “Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion!”
Indicates that Macbeth and Banquo’s army is as weak as eagles; the
enemy is as strong as a lion. They are exhausted.
(2) “O, full of scorpions is my mind,”—Macbeth drived himself crazy.
(3) the candle to describe the death of his wife;
“Life is like a walk shadow”—Life is like an acting.

-Parody: A parody is a creative work designed to imitate, comment on,

and/or mock by means of satirical or ironic imitation.
(1) After Macbeth killed the King, the doorman ridicule the the door to
Hell-gate, which indicates Macbeth now had been in the hell.
(2)
 Questions need to discuss
-How Equvocation relate to the James King for the Gunpowder?
-What is it to be a man?
-What’s the message to King James:
*Duncan was betrayed by The Thane of Cowdord and Macbeth, which
 reminds the James that you don’t know who’s your enemies and friends.
*Connect James as the 8th King, when Macbeth asked witches abt the
descent of Macbeth
-Why it start with witches?
*James’s interested in witches who indicate the supernatural power
*Set the tone and make audience curious abt
- What’s after Macbeth killed Duncan?
* Macbeth: Fulled of guilt; never had a peaceful sleep again.
* Lady Macbeth: Nervous and guilty at the beginning; while comfort
Macbeth to wash his guilt and blood with a little water
-How Malcolm tested Macduff

III. Twelfth Night

 Background
 Genre: Romantic\ Situation Comedy
 Themes
- **Love and Desire:**
- Viola's love for Orsino.
- Olivia's affection for Cesario (Viola).
- Malvolio's self-love.
-**Madness:**
1. Sir Toby Belch: portrayed as a character who revels in merrymaking
and excess. His behavior often borders on the reckless and irresponsible,
especially in his encouragement of Sir Andrew to pursue Olivia. This could be
seen as a form of “madness” in his pursuit of pleasure without regard for
consequences.
2. Sir Andrew Aguecheek: is a character easily manipulated by Sir Toby.
His foolish and easily influenced nature contributes to the comedic elements of
the play. While not explicitly mad, his gullibility and willingness to engage in
ridiculous challenges contribute to the overall theme of folly and absurdity.
3. Malvolio’s Treatment:While not madness in the traditional sense, the
treatment of Malvolio can be seen as a form of social and psychological
manipulation that leads him to exhibit behavior resembling madness. The letter
forged by Maria, meant to make Malvolio believe that Olivia loves him, results
in his eccentric and inappropriate behavior, which others perceive as madness.
4. Feste’s Wit: Feste, the clown, contributes to the theme of madness
through his witty and sometimes cryptic remarks. He is perceptive and uses his
jests to comment on the folly and irrationality of other characters, adding a layer
 of commentary on the nature of sanity and foolishness.
- **Disguise and Deception:**
- Viola's disguise as Cesario.
- Malvolio deceived by the letter.

- **Mistaken Identity:**
- Viola and Sebastian's mistaken identity.
- Various characters' confusion about Cesario's true identity.

 Symbols
- **The Ring:**
- Symbol of love and commitment.
- Causes confusion and mistaken identity.

 Characters
 Writing technique

6. **Writing Technique**
- **Wordplay and Wit:**
- Shakespeare's use of clever language and puns.
- Enhances comedic elements in the dialogue.

- **Soliloquies:**
- Characters express their inner thoughts.
- Viola's soliloquy about her love for Orsino.

- **Irony:**
- Dramatic irony in mistaken identity situations.
- Malvolio's belief in Olivia's love for him.

Act Three
How does Feste feel about Cesario and why does he change his mind?

Why does Viola say that Feste is wise enough to play the fool?

When Olivia explains her giving the ring to Cesario how does he feel toward
her?
Why does Cesario get angry and what does Olivia do to pacify him?

How does Cesario equivocate in his answer to Olivia’s declaration of love?

Why does Andrew want to leave and how do Fabian and Toby persuade him
to stay?

What kind of letter does Andrew write and who is he going to give it to?

What does Sebastian want to do in town and what does Antonio give him?

How does Malvolio change himself and then present himself to Olivia? How
do they misunderstand each other?

How does the ‘new’ Malvolio treat Toby? What do Toby and Maria pretend
is wrong with Malvolio?

Why doesn’t Toby deliver Andrew’s letter to Cesario and what does he
tell Cesario instead?

What does Olivia give Cesario and tell him to do?

How does Toby deceive Cesario about Andrew and what

is Cesario’sreaction?

How does Andrew react when he sees Cesario waiting for him? Why do
Fabian and Toby encourage them to fight?

What happens just as Andrew and Cesario are about to fight?

Why is Antonio deeply disappointed in Cesario and what happens to him?

Why do the Officers think Antonio is mad?

What does Andrew decide to do to Cesario once the Officers take Antonio
away?
Act Four
Why does Feste come looking for Sebastian?

Why does Viola suspect that Sebastian might be still alive but Sebastian has
no idea that Viola is alive?

What does Andrew do when he sees Sebastian again?

Who stops the fight between Sebastian and Toby and what does she want
Sebastian to do?

Where has Malvolio been put, and why does Feste disguise himself when he
goes to see him?

How does Malvolio try to prove he is not mad and why does he fail?

How does Feste tease Malvolio before he goes to get what Malvoliowants?

How does Sebastian test himself to find out whether he is mad or not?

Why does Sebastian not think Olivia is mad?

Why does Orsino come with Cesario to Olivia’s house? Do you

think Cesario has told him about Olivia’s love?

What does Antonio tell Orsino and why doesn’t Orsino believe him?

What does Olivia expect when she sees Cesario beside Orsino?

When he realizes who Olivia loves, what does Orsino say that he will do?

When Olivia says ‘husband’ how do the others react?

What does the Priest confirm when Olivia asks him?

Orsino is furious and about to leave, but what stops him?

How do Toby and Andrew behave to each other after Sebastian has beaten
them both?

Everyone is surprised to see Sebastian enter, but what is Sebastian surprised

at?

What do Sebastian and Viola say to each other to identify themselves?

Why doesn’t Viola embrace her brother?

How is it possible that Orsino quickly shifts his affections from Olivia to
Viola?

When Malvolio’s letter is read out loud, what do the listeners think?

When Olivia tells him the first letter was written by Maria not her, what
does she say he can do?

Fabian explains why they played the practical joke—do you

think Malvolio will be satisfied with the answer?

Who remains unhappy at the end of the play?