Nov. 27, 2007: Test Prep

Level English IV
Please study and reconsider:
-Act 1 Scene 3: Banquo and Macbeth's reactions to the witches' prophecies as well as their reactions to the fulfillment of the first prophecy concerning Cawdor.
-Act 1 Scene 4
-Act 1 Scene 5: Lady Mac's reading of Macbeth's letter, the two speeches that follow, and her pitch of the murderous plot to Macbeth.
-Act 1 Scene 7: Lady Mac's persuasive techniques and Macbeth's conflicted morals.
-Act 2 Scene 2: The immediate aftermath of King Duncan's murder i.e. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's reactions to the murder.
-"Fair is foul. Foul is fair." Consider the meaning and appearances of this motif/theme in Macbeth.
-What do we know about the limitations of the witches' powers? Consider the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3 and the discussion of the "bark."
-Examine the details of King Duncan's murder.
-Consider Macbeth as a tragic hero.

The Great Chain of Being
As explained in your handout, this philosophy taught that every thing in the universe was ordered within a particular realm, and when one realm became disordered, other realms consequently became disordered too. According to this philosophy, kings ruled the political realm, reason ruled the realm of mental faculties, husbands and fathers ruled the familial realm, etc. Shakespeare presents this philosophy in Macbeth through the events that surround Macbeth's inner turmoil and conflict: ambition overpowers reason (the realm of mental faculties), which results in King Duncan's murder and Macbeth's ascent to power (the political realm), which results in horses turning to cannabalism and horrible storms (the natural realm). All of these realms are related (the idea of "correspondences"), so when one realm becomes disordered, the others follow suit. In addition, Lady Macbeth over-powers and controls her husband, which represents disorder in the familial realm.

Read Lennox's lines from Act 2 Scene 2 at the top of page 326. He discusses the horrible weather and his fears of what might have happened during the night. Also, read the beginning of Act 2 Scene 4 as Ross and the old man discuss the recent odd occurences in nature.