Thursday, April 18, 2013

Macbeth Act IV Notes


  • "Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble"
    • the reader's first introduction to the witch's actual wickedness, if it was not already assumed
    • is there any symbolism to the items being placed in the cauldron, or are they there simply for weirdness sake
      • also, were these actually things believed to have magical/evil properties?
  • Enter HECATE
    • from the ultra reliable source of Wikipedia: "an ancient goddess often shown holding two torches or a key, or depicted in triple form...associated with crossroads, entrance ways, fire, light, the moon, magic, witchcraft, herbs and poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery
    • Macbeth references Hecate earlier in his soliloquy about murdering Duncan
  • "Something wicked this way comes."
    • more lines integrated into popular culture
    • interesting that the witches have a perception of wickedness
      • even more interesting is that they are referring to Macbeth
  • "Beware the thane of Fife"
    • blatant foreshadowing
  • Was it common to have music when Shakespeare's plays were performed?  It is not mentioned often in the script.
  • "Thou liest, thou sag-hair'd villain!" ... "What, you egg!" ... "Young fry of treachery!"
    • Shakespearean insults are awesome
  • Why do Shakespearean characters have a tendency to declare they have died ("He has kill'd me")?
    • to make it more obvious for the audience perhaps?
  • Malcolm uses "luxurious" in the same context as "malicious" and "smacking of every sin that has a name"
    • Is there a different meaning?

2 comments:

  1. Hey, great notes like usual, I want to use the same kind of format you have, is that cool?

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    Replies
    1. I didn't realize that my note taking was unique, but you're free to use it if you want haha.

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