example exam question(a)Read the extract.
Macbeth has just been told given another prophecy by the witches. How does Shakespeare use language to show Macbeth's confidence at this point in the play? Refer closely to details from the extract to support your answer. [15] Second Apparition Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth. Descends MACBETH Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? 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. Thunder. 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? ALL Listen, but speak not to't. Third Apparition 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. Descends MACBETH That will never be Who can impress the forest, bid the tree Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good! Rebellion's head, rise never till the wood Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart Throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art Can tell so much: shall Banquo's issue ever Reign in this kingdom? ALL Seek to know no more. |
summaryThe witches circle a cauldron, mixing in a variety of grotesque ingredients while chanting "double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble" (10-11). Hecate appears, they sing all together, and Hecate leaves. Macbeth then enters, demanding answers to his pressing questions about the future.
The witches complete their magic spell and summon forth a series of apparitions (spirits). The first is an armed head that warns Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff). The second apparition is a bloody child, who tells him that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth" (96-97). This news bolsters Macbeth spirits. The third apparition is a crowned child with a tree in its hand, who says that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him" (107-09). This cheers Macbeth even more, since he knows that nothing can move a forest. Macbeth proceeds to ask his last question: will Banquo's children ever rule Scotland? The cauldron sinks and a strange sound is heard. The witches now show Macbeth a procession of kings, the eighth of whom holds a mirror in his hand, followed by Banquo. As Banquo points at this line of kings, Macbeth realizes that they are indeed his family line. After the witches dance and disappear, Lennoxenters with the news that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth resolves that he will henceforth act immediately on his ambitions: the first step will be to seize Fife and kill Macduff's wife and children. Key quotes Second Apparition (spirit)
The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth. Analysis The Second Apparition tells Macbeth that he cannot be defeated by anybody 'born' of a woman. This is significant as Macduff was in fact born through caesarean section, meaning he was cut from his mother- not technically born (although neither Macbeth nor the audience know this at this point in the play!) Third Apparition (spirit) Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him.. Analysis The Third Apparition tells Macbeth that he cannot be defeated until Birnam wood gets up and moves to his castle. Macbeth Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, Analysis Macbeth questions why he needs to fear Macduff is he cannot die of anybody born of a woman, however he is going to make 'double sure' by killing Macduff's wife and children. |