Exploring Shakespeare's Use of Language in Macbeth's Mini Extracts
Delve into Shakespeare's masterful use of language in mini extracts from Macbeth's Act 1 scenes, analyzing how he creates a sense of unease, excitement, and deceptive appearances through techniques like short sentences, rhythm, alliteration, and metaphors. Dive into the world of Macbeth and uncover the subtle nuances of language intertwined with themes of chaos, bravery, and deception.
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Analysing Macbeth Mini extracts
Act 1 scene 1 FIRST WITCH: Where the place? Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a sense of unease? SECOND WITCH: Upon the heath. THIRD WITCH: There to meet with Macbeth. Consider: - short sentences -rhythm -alliteration/fricative of f -paradox FIRST WITCH: I come, Graymalkin! SECOND WITCH: Paddock calls. THIRD WITCH: Anon. ALL: Fair is foul, and foul is fair Hover through the fog and filthy air. Key words Heath = wild, grassy land without many trees Anon = soon
Act 1 scene 1 FIRST WITCH: Where the place? Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a sense of unease? SECOND WITCH: Upon the heath. THIRD WITCH: There to meet with Macbeth. FIRST WITCH: I come, Graymalkin! Consider: SECOND WITCH: Paddock calls. - short sentences - rhythm - alliteration/fricative of f - paradox THIRD WITCH: Anon. ALL: Fair is foul, and foul is fair Hover through the fog and filthy air. Shakespeare uses short sentences to create a sense of unease and chaos about the witches, with all 3 speaking straight after each other. The final lines contain alliteration and fricatives, used by Shakespeare to create a flowing almost chant like feeling to what s being said. This would create a very unsettling feeling for the audience, and the paradox contained within the line confuses them and makes them think things may not be what they seem.
Act 1 Sc 2 Captain: And fortune on his damned quarrel smiling, Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a sense of excitement? Showed like a rebel s whore. But all s too weak, For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name - Consider: Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel - Caesura Which smoked with bloody execution, - Sound imagery (alliteration, plosives) - Word choices - superlatives Key words: Disdaining = showing contempt = looking down on someone/something as though it s not worthy of your attention Brandished = waving around
Act 1 Sc 2 Captain: And fortune on his damned quarrel smiling, Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a sense of excitement? Showed like a rebel s whore. But all s too weak, For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name - Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel Consider: Which smoked with bloody execution, - Caesura - Sound imagery (alliteration, plosives) - Word choices - superlatives The Captain presents Macbeth as a very brave warrior. The extract has a sense of excitement about it with the use of the words brandished steel and bloody execution . The plosive and alliterative b emphasise the sense of action. The caesura highlights the bravery of Macbeth because of the shift in tone and the interruption to describing Macdonald s tyranny, and the use of the word all suggests Macbeth has no match.
Act 1: Sc 4 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to enhance the theme that appearances can be deceptive? Consider: Macbeth Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires - metaphor - rhythm
Act 1 scene 5 LADY MACBETH The raven himself is hoarse, That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create an unsettling mood? Consider: - imagery of raven - sound imagery plosives - caesura - specific word choice
Act 1 scene 5 LADY MACBETH Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a MENACING mood? And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull Of the direst cruelty; make thick my blood, Stop up th access and passage to remorse That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake fell my purpose Consider: - sound imagery plosives - specific word choices
Act 1 scene 5 Lady Macbeth Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a FOREBODING mood? Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter, Thy letters have transported me beyond This ignorant present, and I feel now The future in the instant. Consider: - structural similarity with witches - specific word choices - fricative Foreboding = future misfortune/evil
Act 1 scene 5 Lady Macbeth Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a mood of deceit? To beguile the time, Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under t. Consider: - simile - metaphor - rule of 3 - assonance
Act 1 scene 6 Duncan Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create an ironic mood? This castle has a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. Consider: - sibilance - word choices - dramatic irony Seat = position, location Nimbly = quick to understand
Act 1 scene 7 Macbeth But in these cases, We still have judgement here that we but teach Bloody instructions, which being taught, return To plague th inventor. This even-handed justice Commends th ingredience of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a mood of hesitation? Consider: - word choices - plosives - caesura
Act 1 scene 7 Macbeth Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like like angels, trumpet-tongued against The deep damnation of his taking-off. Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to enhance Duncan s qualities? Consider: - word choices - simile - alliteration contrast Borne = grown and presented Faculties = temperament/ personality Meek = gentle Virtues = qualities Plead = appeal with earnest (sincerity) Damnation = condemn, declaring something to be bad
Act 1 scene 7 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight Lady Macbeth s manipulation? Lady Macbeth Was the hope drunk Wherin you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time, Such I account thy love. Consider: - rhetorical questions - caesura - plosives
Act 1 scene 7 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight Lady Macbeth s cunning nature? Lady Macbeth When in swinish sleep Their drenched natures lies as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon Th unguarded Duncan? Consider: - alliteration - sibilance - word choice Swinish like a pig Drenched natures their minds are soaked with alcohol Cunning = planning in a deceitful way
Act 2 Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight Banquo s apprehension? Banquo Hold, take my sword There s husbandry in heaven, Consider: There candles are all out. Take thee that too. - Metaphor - Simile - Word choice - Punctuation (dashes) A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet, I would not sleep Husbandry = thrift, economical, careful abut how much used Summons = message or call to do something Apprehension = worry
Act 2 Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight Macbeth s turmoil? Macbeth I see thee still And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Consider: Which was not so before. There s no such thing: - Sound imagery - Alliteration and plosives - Caesura - Punctuation It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Dudgeon = handle Gouts = large drops Turmoil = confusion
Act 2 Sc 2 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight Lady Macbeth s assertive nature? Lady Macbeth My hands are of your colour, but I shame To wear a heart so white. Consider: Knock within - Metaphor - Caesura - Short sentence - Imperative I hear a knocking At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber; A little water clears us of this deed. How easy it is then!
Act 2 Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the eerireness of the night? Lennox The night has been unruly: where we lay, Consider: Our chimneys were blown down, and as they say, - Word choices - Metaphors - Plosives - Pathetic fallacy Lamentings heard i th air, strange screams of death And prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused events, New hatched to th woeful time. Unruly = disruptive, lawless Lamentings = regrets Dire combustion = terrible fires
Act 2 Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the panic and disbelief in Macduff? Macduff: O horror, horror, horror, Tongue nor heart cannot conceive, nor name thee. Consider: Macbeth & Lennox: What s the matter? - Epizeuxis - Personification - Metaphor - Hyperbole Macduff: Confusion hath now made his masterpiece: Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope The Lord s anointed temple and stole thence The life of the building. Sacrilegious = violation of something sacred Ope = open Anointed = blessed
Act 2 Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the contrast between Lady Macbeth and Macduff? Lady Macbeth: What s the business That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak. Consider: Macduff: O gentle lady, Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. - Sibilance - Long sentence - Isocolon - Irony - Alliteration The repetition in a woman s ear Would murder as it fell. enter Banquo O Banquo, Banquo Our royal master s murdered. Parley = talk with
Act 2 Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the deceit of Macbeth? Macbeth: O, yet I do repent me of my fury That I did kill them. Consider: Macduff: Wherefore did you so? Macbeth: Who can be wise, amazed, temperate, and furious, - Poetic voice - Listing - Exaggeration Loyal and neutral in a moment? No man. Th expedition of my violent love Outran the pauser, reason. Repent =feel sorry for Wherefore = why Temperate = calm, sensible Expedition = haste, quickness Pauser = the thing that delays
Act 2 Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the deceit of Macbeth? Macbeth: Here lay Duncan, Consider: His silver skin laced with his golden blood - Poetic voice - Sibilance - Hyperbole And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature, For ruin s wasteful entrance. Breech in nature = destroyed natural cycle
Act 2 Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the danger Malcolm and Donaldbain are in? Consider: Donaldbain: Where we are, There s daggers in men s smiles; the ner er in blood, - Metaphor - Repetition (isocolon) The nearer bloody.
Act 2 Sc 4 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to highlight the mood in Scotland? Ross: By th clock tis day Consider: And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. Is tnight s predominance, or day s shame, - Pathetic fallacy - Metaphors That darkness does the face of the earth entomb When all living light should kiss it? Travelling lamp = the sun The day s shame = Duncan s murder Entomb = place in a tomb (burial chamber)
Act 3 Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to keep Banquo as a moral frame of reference? Banquo: If there come truth from them Consider: As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine Why by the verities on thee made good, - Contrast - Caesura May they not be my oracles as well And set me up in hope? But hush, no more. Verities = truths
Act 3 Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to show us Macbeth s annoyance? Macbeth: Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown Consider: And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, - Metaphor - word choice No son of mine succeeding. Sceptre = royal walking stick Gripe = grasp Wrenched = removed forcefully Unlineal = no future generations
Act 3 Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to show us Macbeth s state of mind? Macbeth: For Banquo s issue have I filed my mind: Consider: For them, the gracious Duncan have I murdered, - Word choice - Metaphor Put rancours in the vessel of my peace Filed = defiled, tainted, destroyed Rancours = bitterness Vessel of my peace = the mind
Act 3 Sc 2 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to illustrate Macbeth s dark intentions? Macbeth: Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, Consider: Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day - Caesura - Personification - Word Choice - Metaphor And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale. Seeling = blinding The bond keeping him pale is that Banquo still lives
Act 3: Sc 4 LADY MACBETH Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to enhance the humiliation of Macbeth ? O proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear. This is the air-drawn dagger which you said Led you to Duncan. Oh, these flaws and starts, Consider: Impostors to true fear, would well become - Caesura - Plosive - Alliteration of w - Imperative A woman s story at a winter s fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all s done, You look but on a stool.
Act 3: Sc 4 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to create a mood of intensity? MACBETH I will tomorrow And betimes I will to the weird sisters. Consider: More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know, - Caesura - Superlatives - Imagery - Punctuation By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good, All causes shall give way. I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er.
Act 3: Sc 6 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise that appearances can be deceptive? Lennox The gracious Duncan Was pitied of Macbeth; marry, he was dead. Consider: - Word choice - Repetition - Sarcasm - Alliteration - Caesura And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late, Whom you may say, if t please you, Flenace killed, For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late. Who cannot want the thought how monstrous It was for Malcolm and for Donaldbain To kill their gracious father.
Act 4: Sc 1 MACBETH Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise the extent of the witches nastiness? I conjure you by that which you profess, Howe'er you come to know it, answer me. Though you untie the winds and let them fight Consider: Against the churches, though the yeasty waves - anaphora - word choice Confound and swallow navigation up, Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down, Though castles topple on their warders' heads, Though palaces and pyramids do slope Their heads to their foundations, though the treasure Of nature s germens tumble all together, Even till destruction sicken, answer me To what I ask you.
Act 4: Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise the distorted nature of Macbeth s ambition? MACBETH Consider: Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? - caesura - allusion - word choice - personification But yet I ll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live, That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder.
Act 4: Sc 1 MACBETH Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise the distorted nature of Macbeth s ambition? From this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be Consider: The firstlings of my hand. And even now, - caesura - isocolon - listing - short sentence - rhyming couplet To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool. This deed I ll do before this purpose cool.
Act 4: Sc 2 LADY MACDUFF Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise the frustration of Lady Macduff? Wisdom! To leave his wife, to leave his babes, His mansion and his titles in a place From whence himself does fly? He loves us not; Consider: He wants the natural touch. For the poor wren, - imperative - isocolon - metaphor - contrast - tricolon The most diminutive of birds, will fight, Her young ones in her nest, against the owl. All is the fear and nothing is the love, As little is the wisdom, where the flight So runs against all reason. He wants the natural touch = lacks feeling for his family Diminutive = small and gentle
Act 4: Sc 2 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise the violence of the scene? FIRST MURDERER: Where is your husband? LADY MACDUFF: I hope, in no place so unsanctified Where such as thou mayst find him. Consider: FIRST MURDERER: He s a traitor. SON: Thou liest, thou shag-haired villain! - imperative - dialogue - stage directions - word choice - structure plot design FIRST MURDERER: (Stabbing him) What, you egg! Young fry of treachery (almost kills him) SON : He has killed me, mother. Run away, I pray you! Unsanctified unholy Treachery = perfidy
Act 4: Sc 3 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise Malcolm s sadness at the state of the Scotland? MALCOLM Consider: I speak not as in absolute fear of you. I think our country sinks beneath the yoke. - metaphor - personificaiton It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash Is added to her wounds. yoke = slavery
Act 5: Sc 1 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise Lady Macbeth s state of mind? LADY MACBETH Consider: Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One, two. Why, then, tis time to do t. Hell is murky! Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him. - USE OF PROSE - diacope - sentence structure - punctuation
Act 5: Sc 5 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise Macbeth s false sense of security? MACBETH Consider: Hang out our banners on the outward walls. The cry is still They come! Our castle s strength - sound imagery - personification - alliteration Will laugh a siege to scorn. Here let them lie Till famine and the ague eat them up.
Act 5: Sc 5 Using the extract, how does Shakespeare use language to emphasise Macbeth s false sense of security? Macbeth And all our yesterdays have lighted fools Consider: The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life s but a walking shadow, a poor player - caesura - metaphor - alliteration - partial onomatopoeia (struts) That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
