Anyone studied Macbeth?

[Whatdoyouexpect]

Can anyone say what points I should be focusing on in this question:

Discuss what we know about Macbeth’s character, particularly with reference to the closing scenes of the play.

Many thanks.

[YourOpinionIsNoted]

Do your own bloody work!

[Velveteenfruitbowl]

It really depends on the level you are studying at.

[SarahAndQuack]

1. This is (I sincerely hope) not for HE.
   
   
2. As @YourOpinionIsNoted so eloquently puts it, do your own bloody work!

[AutumnRose1]

You want me to write your essay for you? HA HA HA HA HA no.

[Whatdoyouexpect]

Thank you, you've been great.

[LolaSmiles]

I agree Sarah. I hope this isn't degree level. My GCSE classes do this question.

Though on a serious note, OP you need to do your own reading and if you're really totally clueless on where to begin then your starting point needs to be GCSE York notes for Macbeth.

[YourOpinionIsNoted]

Actually, that was harsh. Here you go, I've thought of some points you should include:

1. Macbeth's character is revealed as heroic as he singlehandedly battles - and kills - the Loch Ness monster, winning the respect of the Scots.

1. His character's dramatic conquering of the English throne at the end of the play is foreshadowed by the killing of Duncan; just as Macbeth removed the King of Scotland, so he removes the King of England.

1. While to some readers/audience members, Macbeth's passionate sex scene with Macduff is surprising, when we consider that the witches are described by Banquo as having beards, we can see that Shakespeare clearly intended his characters to be both gender fluid and bi-curious.

1. Shakespeare's unusual choice to end the play on a musical number, and his stage directions that dictate Macbeth 'dances a merry jig with the English crown on his head, and the Scottish crown on the head of the loch monster' to close the play, shows that the play should be seen as a comedy, not a tragedy.

[fedup21]

@ YourOpinionIsNoted I hope you are a teacher-you have explained that so clearly.

[iMatter]

My kids are doing Macbeth for GCSE.

I'll be sure to ask them when they come home from school....

[YourOpinionIsNoted]

@fedup21 I used to be!

[LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow]

Isn't Macbeth a cyborg? This play was light years ahead of its time.

[YourOpinionIsNoted]

Open to interpretation, Laurie. Was he a cyborg, or was it the ill effects of his crystal meth addiction?

[LolaSmiles]

I don't think it was meth.

He clearly has issues with his parents. They took him to stately homes, but his sexual desires towards lady Macbeth when she chastises him and demonstrates her gender fluidity highlight the ongoing trauma he feels from having a narc mother.
On one hand he is disgusted by her actions, but on the other he craves her approval and the sexual validation that comes from getting that approval.

[chemenger]

What I would say to my students is “let’s start with what you think, and see how we can build on that”, so...

[fluffiphlox]

Don’t forget the bit with the motorcycle accident.

[titchy]

His rejection of his parentage when he screams 'You're not my mum' is an interesting angle to take OP.

[GCAcademic]

Excellent analysis, YourOpinionIsNoted though you did miss out the crucial significance of the dancing trees when they join in the final musical number, “When Birnam Wood Comes to Dunsinane”.

[Obsidian77]

Picking up on YourOpinionIsNoted's analysis, I think the coronation scene, where Macbeth is voted King of England is actually quite ambivalent.
He's fulfilled his heart' s desire but you can tell he's already wondering if it's going to make him happy.

[cornstarch]

Out damned spot

[UncleMatthewsEntrenchingTool]

Love the reference to Friends there @LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow

[chemenger]

Out damned Spot

How they treat that poor little dog is a key indicator of Macbeth’s character imo.

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

Look at the way Shakespeare makes us root for Macbeth in Act 5, despite his evil actions, through his fabulous language; contrast that with the way that we find Malcolm feeble and ambiguous despite the fact that he's the rightful heir and has done nothing wrong, mostly as the result of his confused and unclear language.

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

Oh, dammit 🤬

[Ragwort]

Nearly 50 years ago for O Level can’t remember a word of it apart from ‘We three witches meet again’.

Good luck.