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?

Macbeth Notes Act II

• Macbeth identifies himself as a friend to Banquo
• does Banquo feel the same way?
• Banquo's dream of "three weird sisters"
• is he talking about the witches here?
• Macbeth's soliloquy
• marvels at how unreal the situation feels
• an indication that this is not something that Macbeth truly feels comfortable doing
• he feels that this is out of character for himself
• many allusions to mythology to enforce the mystical surreal tone
• Why does Shakespeare choose not to show the murder itself?
• too gruesome for the audience?  Or perhaps too offensive to the king?
• the Macbeths have, apparently, fooled everybody
• "Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?" ... "Those that Macbeth hath slain."
• Macduff and Ross are ironically correct here, although they do not know it
• They conclude seconds later that Macbeth is next up for the throne
• how do they not connect Macbeth and his "thriftless ambition" to the crime?
• Macbeth ma have too good of a reputation.  It is stated earlier that he is well liked throughout the land.

Macbeth Act I: Thoughts and Notes -- Barely Awake Edition

I'm tired right now, so apologies if this post falls short.  And no, this late night (early morning?) post is not because of procrastination for once.  Well, not mostly.

• Macbeth is an interestingly contradictory character
• apparently peerless warrior, but is submissive to his overbearing wife
• has ambitions for the throne, but still has morality (or he at least lacks the disregard for human life of Lady Macbeth)
• Why does he want the throne?  Political?  Egotistical?
• Described as being fearless, but recoils at the witches
• Either Macbeth is not what he appears, or the witches are really just that horrendous
• could be both, obviously
• The witches are certainly not a pretty sight, but are they actively malicious?
• there's allusions to their wicked deeds, but what do they gain from the telling of Macbeth's future?
• Maybe not, could just be a convenient method of both foreshadowing and establishing a context for morality
• Banquo is less disturbed by the witches
• indicates that he is more used to their evil?
• What does Banquo think of Macbeth?
• friendly, rival, etc.
• Lady Macbeth is arguably more evil than the witches
• does Macbeth realize how easily he is goaded and manipulated?