Macbeth Questions

3. a) In Act 2, how does Macbeth attempt to gain Banquo's support? How does Banquo respond?
Macbeth tries to gain Banquo’s support by deception and flattery. In today’s worls Macbeth would be known as a "con-artist". During the King’s visit, Macbeth appears to be a modest man who is loyal to the King, rather than a greedy over-ambitious man that he really is. Macbeth tries to make Banquo believe that he does not want to be King by showing no interest in the witches and not believing their vision. Macbeth tries to pull this off to fool Banquo but he does not fully believe him. Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth and this is proven when Macbeth says "If you shall cleave to my consent, when t’is, It shall make honour for you." Banquo fully does trust Macbeth and comes back with "So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and alliance clear, I shall be consell’d." This quote means that Banquo will do what Macbeth wants if he is able to keep a clear conscience. Banquo makes it clear to Macbeth that he will do nothing against the King in order to make Macbeth the next King.

b) Compare how Lady Macbeth and Macbeth react to the King's murder. Why are they so different in their response?In this time period women were thought to be dainty, fragile and so "lady like" and rather helpless. When Lady Macbeth becomes aware of Duncan’s death, the reader is led to believe she was horrified at the death but in reality, it was because it happened in her house not simply because it happened. When Macduff walks into the room Macbeth’s reaction was totally different. Men were not to show emotions for example by crying. He appears to be completely surprised and non-committed and than makes over by pretending to be a good friend and subject.
　
c) In Act 1, Duncan is established as King. What kind of King is he, based upon how he interacts with his thanes? Be specific and give references where possible.
In act one scene two, after the battle Duncan learns from Ross that the Than of Cawdor is a traitor and Macbeth defeated the rebels. The King decides that the Than of Cawdor must die and the new Thane of Cawdor will be Macbeth. This indicates that the King gives awards to loyal subjects and punishes rebels with death.
In act one scene four, Duncan recites "There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust." Which indicates that he is not as gullible as he lets on. Duncan tells Macbeth how proud he is of him and that the title of Thane of Cawdor is not reward enough for the killing of the rebels. At the same time, he tells this to Macbeth, he also says his son Malcolm will inherit the title of King. Macbeth becomes angry about this and confused about the witch’s conversation with him. Macbeth does not show his feelings so Duncan does not know Macbeth’s true feelings.
In act one scene six, Duncan and Banquo are arriving at Macbeth’s castle for a royal visit. The King is impressed with the castle and ventures to the courtyard where he meets up with Lady Macbeth. Duncan appears to be more gullible because he does not realize that Lady Macbeth happy and grateful outlook is not for. This scene depicts a friendly personality and a King who gets along with his royal thanes.

d) After reading his letter, how does Lady Macbeth describe her husband? Why do you think she describes him this way?Lady Macbeth depicts her husband as a ambitious but yet weak man and full of kindness. Lady Macbeth’s words "and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way: tho wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it." proves this description of her husband. This means that Macbeth has the ambition to become King but does not have the ability ti acquire the title. She feels that he is too kind to seize the opportunity. She believes her husband to be naive as he thinks he can become King without being anheir to the King or doing something evil to get the title. Lady Macbeth describes her husband in this manner because she wants to be a strong powerful woman instead of being stereotype as weak and timid. This is evidence when she is the one to think of the plot to steal the throne and to be the leader of this up roar. Her plan would be to switch roles so she would make decisions and he would do as she tells him to do.


4. a) What appears to be motivating Macbeth the most? Figure it out and show some evidence from the play.There are three main motivating factors, they are; young ambition, need to prove his manhood, and greed. The one that motivates Macbeth the most in the play is his need to prove his manhood. He always wrestles with decisions when it comes times to make them, he has doubts about his strength and abilities. When Macbeth starts to doubt himself Lady Macbeth is there to take advantage of the moment and manipulate him into doing what she wants, instead of him making decisions he wants. You see this time nd time again in this play, for example Act Three Scene Four. When Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost and starts having a freak, Lady Macbeth says;
"Oh, these flaws and starts, Impostors to true fear, would well become A woman’s story at a winter’s fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!".

b) Make a list of reversals or paradoxes from Acts 1 and 2 that show how "fair is foul, and fouls is fair".
- In Act One, Scene Two the nobleman Ross informs King Duncan that the trusted the thane of Cawdor, is a traitor who conspired with Norway during the rebellion. The fair thane of Cawdor is foul.

- In Act One, Scene Three after the witches tell Macbeth and Banquo's future, Banquo says the lines;
BANQUO And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’s
In deepest consequence
-This example is a paradox because telling the truth is a act of good not evil, so it a reversal to have evil be the one telling the
truth.

- The witch's appearance, this is a reversal because they are woman that look like man.
- Another reversal is Lady Macbeth's male strength and Macbeth's female weakness; i.e being commanded by male.

- The largest paradox you see is the entire plot the play is based on, the fact that Macbeth's motifs are to kill Duncan and become King in his place is an act that goes against all ways of life during that time period.