Good vs. Evil in Macbeth

Michael, Vidya, Jasmeen, Maia and Hannah

Thesis

Although all characters in Macbeth ultimately mean well, in some cases, certain factors and conditions can

bring out the evil that lingers in the mind ultimately this indicates that

no matter how good the person,

there will always be some

residing evil within.

The desire for power

brings out Lady

Macbeth's evil state.

Argument #2

Text to Text

Lady Macbeth to The Monster

Foil to Macbeth, possessing noble characteristics

Provides an alternative path to Macbeth's actions

In other words, he is an honorable character

But...

“Thou hast it now – King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the Weird Women promised, and I fear

Thou play'dst most foully for it. Yet it was said

It should not stand in thy prosperity,

But that myself should be the root and father

Of many kings. If there come truth from them

(As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine),

Why, by the verities on thee made good,

May they not be my oracles as well

And set me up in hope? But hush, no more” (Shakespeare III i 1 – 10)

Quote #2

There's husbandry in heaven,

Their candles are all out...

A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,

And yet I would not sleep.

Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts

That nature gives way to in repose!” (Shakespeare II i 6–11)

Three Witches

Debate!

One side Agree

One side Disagree

Once all the chairs of one side are filled up you must go to the other side

Each group has a 2 minute point than a 1 minute rebuttal to the other groups point. Finally a 30 second closing statement.

Max time for each person is 30 seconds

Debate Questions

Good vs. Evil in Macbeth

Macbeth

Activity

Subtopic

Connection ...

The secondary characters bring out the residing evil that lays within Macbeth

Connection ...

Quote

Quote

Analysis

“When you durst do it, then you were a man, And, to be more than what you were. You would be so much more the man” (Shakespeare I.vii. 54-56)

Analysis

“All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!”

“All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!”

“All hail, Macbeth, That shalt be king hereafter!”

(Shakespeare I.iii.50-52)

Maia

Is Lady Macbeth to blame for the tragic events that take place in the story?

Michael

Vidya

Does the pathway to

power bring out the

evil that lingers

within?

Jasmeen

Hannah

Should we be pessimistic or optimistic about a person's true intentions?

Lady Macbeth

Subtopic

Connection

Argument #1

Context

Relate

To

Thesis

Quote

"Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe of direst cruelty!" (Shakespeare I v 43-48)

Analysis

The thought of being Queen drives Lady Macbeth to call upon to spirits to fill her with evil

"She has a lust for power and it is her goading that leads Macbeth to seize the thrown of Scotland by murdering Duncan"

Context

Relate

Quote

to

"I would, while

it was smiling my

face have plucked my

nipple from its boneless

gums and dashed the brains

out so had I sworn as you have

done to this"

(Shakespeare I vii 61-62).

Thesis

Analysis

She uses manipulation

to get her way

The brutality of

her example

The Witches play a large role in harboring the evil that resides in Macbeth.

Connection

FIRST APPARITION

“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.”

SECOND APPARITION,

a bloody Child.

“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!

Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn

The power of man, for none of woman born

Shall harm Macbeth.”

THIRD APPARITION,

a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand.

“What is this

That rises like the issue of a king,

And wears upon his baby-brow the round

And top of sovereignty?

Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care

Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:

Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until

Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill

Shall come against him.”

(Shakespeare IV i 71-94)

Quote

Text to World- Dexter

• Macbeth’s confidence is boosted in the presence of the apparitions

• automatically thinks that the second apparition cancels out the first apparition, and does not think twice about it

• given statement of his fate, but they do not

provide how he will make these

prophecies a reality

Point #1

"The spirits that know / All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: / 'Fear not, Macbeth; no man that's born of woman / Shall e'er have power upon thee'"

(Shakespeare V iii 4-7)

• tries

to remind himself that it is his fate and the witches said he would have to do what he did

• plant that seed of evil that will then grow into immaculate plans on how to make his prophecies true

• may not suggest evil actions, but they leave room

for Macbeth to do the

thinking himself

Text To World- Peers

Point #2

• The witches bring out the evil in Macbeth
• they plant the idea in his head to let it grow

Analysis

Connection to Thesis

• The Weird sisters are a valid role in Macbeth's consciousness
• he uses the weird sisters' prophecies as excuses for his own actions
• if the sisters had never told Macbeth about the prophecies, he would never have the motivation to make them real

Banquo

Duncan

Banquo's unwillingness to express his accusatory beliefs against Macbeth demonstrates the sinfulness in his choice to stay silent.

Subtopic

Duncan makes evil decisions in order to protect his country

Quote #1

“O worthiest cousin!

The sin of my ingratitude even now

Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before,

That swiftest wing of recompense is slow

To overtake thee, Would thou hadst less deserved,

That the proportion of both of thanks and payment

Might have been mine! Only I have left to say,

More is thy due than more than all can pay.”

(Shakespeare I iv 17-24)

Quote #2:

“No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive

Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death,

And with his former title greet Macbeth.” (Shakespeare I ii 72-74)

Quote #1

Analysis

-Duncan is obviously very grateful to Macbeth for what he did to save the country

-This quote shows Duncan’s gratitude and loyalty to his people

-He is a wonderful king who seems as though he could not do wrong unto anyone

Connections - Text to Text

-King Duncan to Victor Frankenstein

-Both very loyal men

-Made evil decisions

Analysis

• Banquo refers to his inability to sleep
• His moral compass is "clouded"
• Lack of sleep is due to his guilty conscience
• In continuing to be silent, he shows his ethical impurities

Analysis

-Duncan is usually a very kind and friendly King and he is loved by his people

-When his country is threatened, he becomes a different person

-He makes an evil decision and demands for the Thane of Cawdor to be killed

once he learns that he is a traitor

-The evil side of his personality appears in order for him to protect his country

• Suspicious about Macbeth's rise to power but chooses to remain silent
• Wonders about his own prophecy, adding to his hesitation
• Focuses on the consequences that might affect him, rather than anyone else's
• "But hush no more" = aware of his sinfulness

Analysis