Answers to QUESTIONNAIRE
1. In Act 5, Scene 5, Macbeth hears about his wife’s death. Macbeth repeatedly says ‘tomorrow’. Why does Macbeth
emphasis on tomorrow and repeat it three times? What language technique is used and what is Macbeth’s reaction to his wife’s death?
‘C Grade’ Answer
When Lady Macbeth dies, Macbeth says ‘tomorrow’ (repetition) to show some signs of grief. Macbeth is not overly sad about his wife’s death as he is consumed by power and not love and humanity. Macbeth cares about winning the war and says that she would have died anyway. Macbeth says tomorrow three times as he is showing his lack of care and faith towards his late wife.
‘B Grade’ Answer
When Macbeth hears the news about his wife’s death, he is not overly shocked. Shakespeare uses the language technique of repetition to highlight this. Macbeth quotes “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”. This quote illuminates how ‘power hungry’ and paranoid, Macbeth is. Macbeth does not show remorse towards Lady Macbeth’s death, but rather no humanity. Normally when a loved one dies, we show our sadness and remorse but Macbeth is so focused on winning the battle that he does not care that Lady Macbeth is gone. Macbeth says that she would have died one day anyway.
Macbeth says tomorrow three times to highlight his view on life. Macbeth thinks that life is a petty player who creeps in every day, and that it has no real importance or significance. If Macbeth was to simply say tomorrow and not repeat it, then the powerful message would not have been conveyed.
‘A Grade Answer’
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”. This is one of the most powerful quotes in the entire Macbeth play as it portrays and illuminates Macbeth as the tragic hero. The quote above is an example of repetition as repeating the word tomorrow creates a sense of tone and creates a powerful message behind the queen’s death. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is compared to a cat, which would never get its paws dirty even if it was to feed itself. Now Macbeth is compared to as a lion that will do anything to be and remain King. Macbeth says tomorrow three times so that he can highlight his feelings towards the Queens death and his opinion of life.
Underneath the repletion of tomorrow, Macbeth quotes “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player. That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more”. This quote highlights why Macbeth repeated tomorrow and he is showing his opinion towards life and that it is a simple fact of life and that it has no importance and when someone dies it is natural. Macbeths feelings are opposite towards general societies as people show grief, remorse and sadness when a love one dies, they do not move on in three minutes.
Macbeth’s reaction to his wife death is inhumane. Macbeth is not fully moved by the news concerning his wife’s death because his eyes are bloodshot with power, removing all kindness and love from his heart, and thus making him a tragic hero.
2. What does the term ‘tragic Hero’ mean and how is Macbeth a tragic Hero?
‘C Grade’ Answer
A tragic Hero is a person who changes overtime. They have had a fatal flaw and this has led to them to their death or having nothing. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he is a noble warrior at the beginning of the play who looks and serves King Duncan. This all changed when Macbeth heard the witch’s predictions. From this, Macbeth became a tragic Hero as he became power hungry and would kill anyone who went before him. Macbeth led himself to death.
‘B Grade’ Answer
A tragic Hero is a character that degenerates from a noble man to a violent individual. Some qualities of a tragic hero include a fatal flaw, error of judgment, excessive pride and greed. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he was once noble and then became a murderer. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth was a noble ‘Thane of Glamis’, where he was situated under the Kings power but still had some himself. A noble person would be happy with this, but Macbeth wasn’t. Instead, Macbeth killed King Duncan, alongside many of his friends in order to become King. Macbeth was conceived by power and lost his humanity, as shown when Lady Macbeth dies.
Macbeth became greedy, jealous and inhuman, all characteristics of a tragic hero. Even though Macbeth did not kill many of his victims himself, their blood was still on his hands, including his own blood as he effectively created his own death. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he had a fatal flaw including psychological effects after he killed Duncan.
‘A Grade’ Answer
Greedy, blinded with pride and revengeful. These are the common traits that make up tragic hero. A tragic hero is a person who leads to their own downfall due to their decisions and mistakes during their life. A common example of a tragic hero is Macbeth. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he was a murderer who deceived a nation and changed the way of life.
Throughout the play, Macbeth changes his opinions, views and characteristics. At the beginning of the play, he is loyal and ‘thane of Glamis’ but at the end of the play he is King, who is beheaded. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth loves his wife and shows affection but in Act V, Macbeth shows no remorse when she is pronounced dead. Macbeth kills many people along his way to success, and for this, he has many psychological illnesses. Macbeth becomes so obsessed with power, that he becomes greedy and does the unbearable to become King. When Macbeth is King he is still not pleased. He has to have everything, Macbeth wants everything.
Macbeth is a well-known tragic Hero as he created his own death, from a sequence of mistakes, lies and murders during his lifetime.
3. In the first stanza of Act 5, Scene 5, are there other examples of alliteration besides the one highlighted? If so, quote and explain this example.
‘C Grade’ Answer
The example of alliteration which is not highlighted is “And beat them backward home”. This is alliteration as the sounds of ‘B’ are repeating, beat and backward. This quote means that Macbeth will fight anyone who tries to come near his castle and that he will send them back home, or kill them.
‘A and B Grade’ Answer’s
In the first stanza of scene 5 in Act 5, there is an example of alliteration which is not highlighted. This example is “And beat them backward home”. This is alliteration as the sounds of ‘B’ are repeated, these include Beat and Backward. The alliteration is expressing Macbeth’s views on the battle which will be coming to his castle. He highlights that he will stop anyone who thinks they can win against him and that he will hurt them and sends them back to where they came from. Macbeth believes he is powerful and untouchable, adding to his image of a tragic hero.
4. What does Macbeth mean by the quote “I have almost forgot the taste of fears”?
‘C Grade’ Answer
When Macbeth says “I have almost forgot the taste of fears”, he means that it has been a long time since he has felt scared, worried or in danger. Macbeth says this as he hears a women crying and jumps at the sound of it. The last time Macbeth was scared, was when he killed Duncan and he though everyone knew it was him. The quote is a metaphor, as Macbeth has forgotten was being fearful felt like.
‘B Grade’ Answer
Macbeth, powerful, fearless and brave, but when memories arise, Macbeth begins to fear. The quote “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” is a metaphor. This metaphor highlights how long Macbeth has been on his power reign, and shows how he has mentally changed. Fear is normal in life but when Macbeth says that he forgets the taste of fear, highlights how he is inhumane. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth feared the witches and was scared after he killed Duncan, juxtaposing what he is feeling now. Macbeth has grown into the figure of ‘steel’ where he feels no emotion or traits of a human character.
‘A Grade’ Answer
Fear is a common feeling in life, sometimes we don’t want it, and sometimes we need it in order to achieve a potential goal. The quote in Act 5, Scene 5 of Macbeth “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” highlights Macbeths juxtaposing feelings from the beginning of the play. The quote is a metaphor and portrays a ‘stone’ like Macbeth who forgets the feelings of emotions, as it has been so long since Macbeth has been scared. Macbeth has not been scared for a while as he has been hurting others and no-one is brave enough to stop him.
Macbeth has changed throughout the play from an emotional man who would double guess his decisions to a person who will do anything for a certain title. Macbeth ‘forgets the taste of fear’ as he has been in a drought where his only thoughts are about power and not about his emotions or feelings. Macbeth only feeds on power and nothing else allows him to survive.
5. What does the quote “Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive” symbolise? What does this reveal about Macbeth as a person?
‘C Grade’ Answer
“Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive”. This quote symbolises Macbeth’s power, as he is telling this to the messenger. When Macbeth hears about an army near his castle he is afraid and does not believe the messenger. The quote symbolises the power of Macbeth and how he does not care about killing people. The quote reveals that Macbeth is not a nice person as he will kill the innocent for no reason.
‘B Grade’ Answer
Macbeth has changed into a murderer, who is not afraid to take more innocent lives. The quote “Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive” emphasises the point above as Macbeth is willing to kill the massager if he is lying about the army being near the castle. The quote symbolise the Macbeths fatal flaw as he has turned into an unrecognisable murder that is greedy and powerful.
The quote reveals that Macbeth is a selfish, cruel, greedy and self-centred man. Macbeth has changed throughout the play and this final act highlights this dramatic change into a tragic hero who will do anything for power.
‘A Grade’ Answer
Macbeth has blood on his hands, and he is not afraid to continue his killing spree. The quote from Act V, scene 5, “Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive” symbolises the highlights Macbeths juxtaposing ways. Macbeth is a serial killer, who is self-obsessed, greedy and a monster. The quote is directed at the messenger, and Macbeth is not afraid to kill him over something as simple as a lie. Macbeth has eyes bloodshot with power and does not care about the well-being of others, and no one is brave enough to stop him so Macbeth does not care about his murder sprees.
The quote reveals Macbeth to be a bold, ignorant and greedy murderer who will do anything for their own wants, even if it may cost the innocent lives of some. In today’s society, no-one would kill over a lie, but Macbeth would do anything just to remain King, ruler and power posser.
emphasis on tomorrow and repeat it three times? What language technique is used and what is Macbeth’s reaction to his wife’s death?
‘C Grade’ Answer
When Lady Macbeth dies, Macbeth says ‘tomorrow’ (repetition) to show some signs of grief. Macbeth is not overly sad about his wife’s death as he is consumed by power and not love and humanity. Macbeth cares about winning the war and says that she would have died anyway. Macbeth says tomorrow three times as he is showing his lack of care and faith towards his late wife.
‘B Grade’ Answer
When Macbeth hears the news about his wife’s death, he is not overly shocked. Shakespeare uses the language technique of repetition to highlight this. Macbeth quotes “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”. This quote illuminates how ‘power hungry’ and paranoid, Macbeth is. Macbeth does not show remorse towards Lady Macbeth’s death, but rather no humanity. Normally when a loved one dies, we show our sadness and remorse but Macbeth is so focused on winning the battle that he does not care that Lady Macbeth is gone. Macbeth says that she would have died one day anyway.
Macbeth says tomorrow three times to highlight his view on life. Macbeth thinks that life is a petty player who creeps in every day, and that it has no real importance or significance. If Macbeth was to simply say tomorrow and not repeat it, then the powerful message would not have been conveyed.
‘A Grade Answer’
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”. This is one of the most powerful quotes in the entire Macbeth play as it portrays and illuminates Macbeth as the tragic hero. The quote above is an example of repetition as repeating the word tomorrow creates a sense of tone and creates a powerful message behind the queen’s death. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is compared to a cat, which would never get its paws dirty even if it was to feed itself. Now Macbeth is compared to as a lion that will do anything to be and remain King. Macbeth says tomorrow three times so that he can highlight his feelings towards the Queens death and his opinion of life.
Underneath the repletion of tomorrow, Macbeth quotes “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player. That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more”. This quote highlights why Macbeth repeated tomorrow and he is showing his opinion towards life and that it is a simple fact of life and that it has no importance and when someone dies it is natural. Macbeths feelings are opposite towards general societies as people show grief, remorse and sadness when a love one dies, they do not move on in three minutes.
Macbeth’s reaction to his wife death is inhumane. Macbeth is not fully moved by the news concerning his wife’s death because his eyes are bloodshot with power, removing all kindness and love from his heart, and thus making him a tragic hero.
2. What does the term ‘tragic Hero’ mean and how is Macbeth a tragic Hero?
‘C Grade’ Answer
A tragic Hero is a person who changes overtime. They have had a fatal flaw and this has led to them to their death or having nothing. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he is a noble warrior at the beginning of the play who looks and serves King Duncan. This all changed when Macbeth heard the witch’s predictions. From this, Macbeth became a tragic Hero as he became power hungry and would kill anyone who went before him. Macbeth led himself to death.
‘B Grade’ Answer
A tragic Hero is a character that degenerates from a noble man to a violent individual. Some qualities of a tragic hero include a fatal flaw, error of judgment, excessive pride and greed. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he was once noble and then became a murderer. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth was a noble ‘Thane of Glamis’, where he was situated under the Kings power but still had some himself. A noble person would be happy with this, but Macbeth wasn’t. Instead, Macbeth killed King Duncan, alongside many of his friends in order to become King. Macbeth was conceived by power and lost his humanity, as shown when Lady Macbeth dies.
Macbeth became greedy, jealous and inhuman, all characteristics of a tragic hero. Even though Macbeth did not kill many of his victims himself, their blood was still on his hands, including his own blood as he effectively created his own death. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he had a fatal flaw including psychological effects after he killed Duncan.
‘A Grade’ Answer
Greedy, blinded with pride and revengeful. These are the common traits that make up tragic hero. A tragic hero is a person who leads to their own downfall due to their decisions and mistakes during their life. A common example of a tragic hero is Macbeth. Macbeth is a tragic hero as he was a murderer who deceived a nation and changed the way of life.
Throughout the play, Macbeth changes his opinions, views and characteristics. At the beginning of the play, he is loyal and ‘thane of Glamis’ but at the end of the play he is King, who is beheaded. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth loves his wife and shows affection but in Act V, Macbeth shows no remorse when she is pronounced dead. Macbeth kills many people along his way to success, and for this, he has many psychological illnesses. Macbeth becomes so obsessed with power, that he becomes greedy and does the unbearable to become King. When Macbeth is King he is still not pleased. He has to have everything, Macbeth wants everything.
Macbeth is a well-known tragic Hero as he created his own death, from a sequence of mistakes, lies and murders during his lifetime.
3. In the first stanza of Act 5, Scene 5, are there other examples of alliteration besides the one highlighted? If so, quote and explain this example.
‘C Grade’ Answer
The example of alliteration which is not highlighted is “And beat them backward home”. This is alliteration as the sounds of ‘B’ are repeating, beat and backward. This quote means that Macbeth will fight anyone who tries to come near his castle and that he will send them back home, or kill them.
‘A and B Grade’ Answer’s
In the first stanza of scene 5 in Act 5, there is an example of alliteration which is not highlighted. This example is “And beat them backward home”. This is alliteration as the sounds of ‘B’ are repeated, these include Beat and Backward. The alliteration is expressing Macbeth’s views on the battle which will be coming to his castle. He highlights that he will stop anyone who thinks they can win against him and that he will hurt them and sends them back to where they came from. Macbeth believes he is powerful and untouchable, adding to his image of a tragic hero.
4. What does Macbeth mean by the quote “I have almost forgot the taste of fears”?
‘C Grade’ Answer
When Macbeth says “I have almost forgot the taste of fears”, he means that it has been a long time since he has felt scared, worried or in danger. Macbeth says this as he hears a women crying and jumps at the sound of it. The last time Macbeth was scared, was when he killed Duncan and he though everyone knew it was him. The quote is a metaphor, as Macbeth has forgotten was being fearful felt like.
‘B Grade’ Answer
Macbeth, powerful, fearless and brave, but when memories arise, Macbeth begins to fear. The quote “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” is a metaphor. This metaphor highlights how long Macbeth has been on his power reign, and shows how he has mentally changed. Fear is normal in life but when Macbeth says that he forgets the taste of fear, highlights how he is inhumane. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth feared the witches and was scared after he killed Duncan, juxtaposing what he is feeling now. Macbeth has grown into the figure of ‘steel’ where he feels no emotion or traits of a human character.
‘A Grade’ Answer
Fear is a common feeling in life, sometimes we don’t want it, and sometimes we need it in order to achieve a potential goal. The quote in Act 5, Scene 5 of Macbeth “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” highlights Macbeths juxtaposing feelings from the beginning of the play. The quote is a metaphor and portrays a ‘stone’ like Macbeth who forgets the feelings of emotions, as it has been so long since Macbeth has been scared. Macbeth has not been scared for a while as he has been hurting others and no-one is brave enough to stop him.
Macbeth has changed throughout the play from an emotional man who would double guess his decisions to a person who will do anything for a certain title. Macbeth ‘forgets the taste of fear’ as he has been in a drought where his only thoughts are about power and not about his emotions or feelings. Macbeth only feeds on power and nothing else allows him to survive.
5. What does the quote “Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive” symbolise? What does this reveal about Macbeth as a person?
‘C Grade’ Answer
“Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive”. This quote symbolises Macbeth’s power, as he is telling this to the messenger. When Macbeth hears about an army near his castle he is afraid and does not believe the messenger. The quote symbolises the power of Macbeth and how he does not care about killing people. The quote reveals that Macbeth is not a nice person as he will kill the innocent for no reason.
‘B Grade’ Answer
Macbeth has changed into a murderer, who is not afraid to take more innocent lives. The quote “Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive” emphasises the point above as Macbeth is willing to kill the massager if he is lying about the army being near the castle. The quote symbolise the Macbeths fatal flaw as he has turned into an unrecognisable murder that is greedy and powerful.
The quote reveals that Macbeth is a selfish, cruel, greedy and self-centred man. Macbeth has changed throughout the play and this final act highlights this dramatic change into a tragic hero who will do anything for power.
‘A Grade’ Answer
Macbeth has blood on his hands, and he is not afraid to continue his killing spree. The quote from Act V, scene 5, “Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive” symbolises the highlights Macbeths juxtaposing ways. Macbeth is a serial killer, who is self-obsessed, greedy and a monster. The quote is directed at the messenger, and Macbeth is not afraid to kill him over something as simple as a lie. Macbeth has eyes bloodshot with power and does not care about the well-being of others, and no one is brave enough to stop him so Macbeth does not care about his murder sprees.
The quote reveals Macbeth to be a bold, ignorant and greedy murderer who will do anything for their own wants, even if it may cost the innocent lives of some. In today’s society, no-one would kill over a lie, but Macbeth would do anything just to remain King, ruler and power posser.