Practice paper

Describe at least one important object or symbol in the written text(s).
Explain why this object or symbol helped you to understand at least one character.
Note: A symbol could be a place, person, or thing that represents something more than itself.

Written over 400 years ago in Jacobean England, in William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” a range of recurring symbols are used throughout the play to help give us a deeper understanding of the protagonist, Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the symbols of an imaginary dagger, blood and the symbol of light and dark to give a profound insight into the character Macbeth helping us to understand his thoughts, feelings and conscience throughout the play.

P1 dagger “art thou but a dagger of the mind” The imaginary bloody dagger that Macbeth sees in his hallucination is used to represent his guilty conscience, ambition, and desire to kill Duncan in order to become king.

P2 blood “will all of Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands” blood is used in this play to represent guilt and purity “Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood”

P3 light and dark “star hide your fires let light not see my black and deep desires” is used to represent good and evil the stars are thought of as the heavens, in this quote Macbeth does not want the heavens to ‘see’ his thoughts and plans to kill Duncan

Macbeth quotes

  • “art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false ceation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain”
  • mine eyes are making fools o’ th’ other senses or else worth all the rest.
  • “O full of scorpions is my mind”
  • “We have scotch’d the snakenot killed it”
  • “Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth
  • I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born
  • Symbol of blood guilt “will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood clean from my hands”?
  • Morality “Is this a dagger which I see before me, handle towards my hand”
  • Life is but a walking shadow… a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”
  • Ambition “I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other
  • Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires

Scene Analysis

A mid shot of Irene both the shot and her clothes, hair (she doesn’t have a hair out of place) and even her face perfectly symmetrical, the shot is mid-shot and centred with Irene as the middle point. Irene has blond hair and blue eyes showcasing pure genetics.
All the men are wearing the suits of a particular era. This helps to show uniformity and how everyone has the same high end selected genetics

Jerome is starting the climb up the helix staircase (represents DNA) at the same time as Antoni and Irene driving towards Jerome’s place.
A two-shot of Antoni and Irene driving in 1950s rover with Sepia colours and sound effects build tension.
When climbing in the helix they use a birds-eye view to show Jerome looking weak.
The scene above and the two pieces of action being Crosscut, the two pieces of action being played simultaneously
This is a close up of Jerome’s hand finally managing to press the button which lets Irene and Antoni inside the house.
An over the shoulder shot of Antoni walking in followed by Irene in the doorway
The symbol of blood to prove identity and truth
When Irene finds out the truth for the first time her hair starts to come undone and loses her composure

Modernism

Modernism refers to a global movement in society and culture that from the early decades of the twentieth century sought a new alignment with the experience and values of modern industrial life.  Characteristics. Arising out of the rebellious mood at the beginning of the twentieth century, modernism was a radical approach that yearned to revitalize the way modern civilization viewed life, art, politics, and science.

www.arcaidawards.com/wp-content/uploads/Signifi...

Modernism architecture is based upon new and innovative technologies of construction, particularly the use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete; the idea that form should follow function; an embrace of minimalism; and a rejection of ornament. 

in the film, ‘Gattaca’, directed and written by Andrew Niccol, presents us with a future society with modernism architecture and genetic selection. Modernism architecture is based upon new and innovative technologies of construction, the idea that form should follow function; an embrace of minimalism; and a rejection of ornament.  Modernism is not only present in the architecture but also through the use of genetic selection. Genetic selection is when people decide the traits of a person by selecting favourable genetics creating ‘perfect’ people, much like modernism architecture they are creating people using new and innovative technologies and creating forms that should follow function.

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Macbeth is haunted by guilt from both the recurring symbol of blood and also the ghost of Banquo. In the play, Macbeth by Shakespeare blood is continuously used to represent Macbeth’s guilt both metaphorically and literally, in act 2 scene 2 after killing Duncan Macbeth feels as if the blood has left a permanent stain on his hands ‘will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood clean from my hands? No this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine’ Macbeth is referring to both the physical blood on his hands but also to his guilt he feels over the murder of the King, even though Lady Macbeth says the blood can just be washed away Macbeth’s words show he feels as if the consequences of his actions will be harder to hide than just washing away the physical blood. Macbeth’s guilt over his actions not only from killing Duncan but also from the murder of Banquo was so strong that he could not tell what is a vision and what is real, When ‘seeing’ the ghost of Banquo sitting as the table Macbeth tried to reassure himself that Banquo is truly dead “thy bones are marrow-less, thy blood is cold, thou hast no speculation in those eyes” the appearance of Banquo’s ghost is like a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt that he feels over his past actions in his goal to secure the crown.

Macbeth act 5

Scene 1

Lady Macbeth’s gentlewomen tells a doctor about her mistress’s behavior while sleepwalking. Then she appears, asleep carrying a candle, while sleepwalking Lady Macbeth tries to watch imaginary blood of her hands and talked about the murders that have taken place “The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?—What, will these hands ne’er be clean?—No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that. You mar all with this starting” after this the doctor leaves shocked with what he heard

Scene 2

the scottish army approaches dunsinane and the thanes discuss Macbeth’s lack of control

Scene 5

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Macbeth is haunted by guilt from both the recurring symbol of blood and also the ghost of Banquo. In the play, Macbeth by Shakespeare blood is continuously used to represent Macbeth’s guilt both metaphorically and literally, in act 2 scene 2 after killing Duncan Macbeth feels as if the blood has left a permanent stain on his hands ‘will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood clean from my hands? No this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine’ Macbeth is referring to both the physical blood on his hands but also to his guilt he feels over the murder of the King, even though Lady Macbeth says the blood can just be washed away Macbeth’s words show he feels as if the consequences of his actions will be harder to hide than just washing away the physical blood. Macbeth’s guilt over his actions not only from killing Duncan but also from the murder of Banquo was so strong that he could not tell what is a vision and what is real, When ‘seeing’ the ghost of Banquo sitting as the table Macbeth tried to reassure himself that Banquo is truly dead “thy bones are marrow-less, thy blood is cold, thou hast no speculation in those eyes” the appearance of Banquo’s ghost is like a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt that he feels over his past actions in his goal to secure the crown.

Macbeth act 4

Scene 1

Macbeth meets up with the witches, who are busy making potions and casting spells. He tells them he wants to learn more about his future. They tell him three key things: He should keep an eye on Macduff. He won’t face any harm from anyone “of woman born.” He won’t be conquered until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane. Macbeth thinks this is all good news—after all, since when can forests march? And Macduff is definitely of woman born, right? Still, he thinks it’s a good idea to kill Macduff anyway, just in case. Everything seems to be working out well for Macbeth until the witches share with him one final vision: a long line of kings who all look just like Banquo. Once the witches depart, Lennox arrives to tell Macbeth that Macduff has gone to England. Since Macduff himself is out of reach, Macbeth opts to go after his family.

Scene 2

Lady Macduff tells Rosse that her husband’s flight to England showed little concern for his family. when Rosse leaves, Lady Macduff’s son refuses to believe the story that his father is dead. A messenger arrives and warns Lady Macduff of approaching danger ” I doubt some danger does approach you nearly. If you will take a homely man’s advice, Be not found here. Hence with your little ones.” the messenger is telling the family to run and hide.

Scene 3

Malcolm is suspicious, fearing that Macduff might betray him to Macbeth for personal reward. Macduff is dismayed to be suspected. To test Macduff’s loyalty, Malcolm pretends to be even more sinful than Macbeth “t is myself I mean, in whom I know all the particulars of vice so grafted that when they shall be opened black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my confineless harms.” he also says he’s is extremely lustful, avaricious and lacking all the virtues a king should possess “. Finally believing Malcolm is as full of vices as he claims Macduff angrily tells him he is not fit to rule Scotland. this is what Malcolm wanted and then he explains he lied about the vices to test Macduff’s loyalty. Rosses arrives with news from Scotland and says that Macduff’s family are well, the good men of Scotland are preparing to rebel against Macbeth. Rosses breaks the news about the murder of Macduff’s wife and children then Malcolm tries to comfort Macduff over the loss of his family, they then leave to prepare to invade Scotland with the English armies.

Macbeth act 3

Scene 1

Alone, Banquo starts to wonder if Macbeth used foul play to become king, after all, he witnessed the witches’ prophecy, so he knows what Macbeth stood to gain. Macbeth then arrives with all his attendant lords and Lady Macbeth, Banquo talks about loyalty to his king and then promptly leaves for his ride with his son Florance. Macbeth left alone worries about Banquo as he knows about the prophecy and there’s also the fact that the witches foretold that Banquo’s descendants would one day be kings—not Macbeth’s, Macbeth’s attendant then brings to men in that he had waiting at the gates, convinces these men that Banquo is their enemy, and hires them to kill Banquo and his son secretly.

Scene 2

Lady Macbeth calls for Macbeth and they both talk about the situation they are in and how they feel, they are both unhappy and worried about the situation because even though Lady Macbeth has got what she wanted it hasn’t stopped her worrying, and Macbeth because he’s afraid of what Banquo knows. His wife attempts to soothe his troubled mind even though she feels the same doubts herself. Killing the king has provided them with many more difficulties than they first had thought. Macbeth then says he has a plan to deal with Banquo but does not tell Lady Macbeth what his plan is “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed.

Scene 3

the 3 murders follow Banquo and Fleance and when they walk the horses back to the castle the murders pounce and kill Banquo but Fleance escapes in the dark, The three murderers then see that they have failed to do the whole job, they then go back to King Macbeth to see what he says “Well, let’s away and say how much is done”.

Scene 4

MACBETH

(Welcome everyone, come sit down and enjoy.)

Lords

Thanks to your majesty.

MACBETH

(we will talk with everyone as well as playing the host, we will wait for when Lady Macbeth will welcome everyone.)

LADY MACBETH

(Say welcome for me, to everyone.)

First Murderer appears at the door

MACBETH

The table is full on both sides. I will sit here in the middle. Be free and happy. Soon we will toast around the table.)

Approaching the door

(There is blood on your face.)

First Murderer

(Then it must be Banquo’s blood)

MACBETH

(it is better without him here. Is he dead?)

First Murderer

My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.

(My lord, I cut his throat.)

MACBETH

( you are the best to cut the throats, did you do the same to Fleance, if you did, you are supreme )

First Murderer

(Most royal Macbeth, Fleance has escaped)

MACBETH

( I am angry, everything else had been perfect, as perfect as a whole marble, stong as a rock, as big as the air, but I am now restricted, bound into my own doubts and fears, but is Banquo safe?)

First Murderer

(Yes my lord, he is lying dead in a ditch with gashes all over him)

MACBETH

Thanks for that. The adult snake lies in the ditch. The young snake that escaped will in time become a threat, but for now, he has no fangs. Get out of here. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Exit Murderer

LADY MACBETH

king there is no joy, we have given the welcome but now they are waiting to be fed

MACBETH

oh no! It’s ok the food will be out soon.

LENNOX

Please sit your highness

The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH’s place

MACBETH

We would have everyone noble in Scotland here if Banquo was present, I hope that he is late and nothing bad has happened to him

ROSS

He’s absent sir, he broke his promise. Please your highness, grace us with your company

MACBETH

The table’s full.

LENNOX

There is a place reserved for you here, sir.

MACBETH

Where?

LENNOX

Here my lord, what’s wrong with your highness?

MACBETH

which one of you did this?

Lords

What, my good lord?

MACBET

You can’t say that I did it, don’t shake your head at me

ROSS

Stand up gentlemen, his highness is not well

LADY MACBETH

(Sit down my friends, my husband is often like this, even when he was a child, please sit down. This is just a brief fit, he will be well again, don’t pay attention to him or he will be angry, just eat your food. Are you a man?)

MACBETH

(Yes and a bold one, a daring look that might appeal to the devil.)

LADY MACBETH

( Oh proper stuff! This is your fears, the murder weapon that you killed duncun with, these flaws and starts are not close to what real fear is, what would become storys pasted down generations. Shameful! Why do you make those faces, when everything is done, you look like a king on the throne.)

MACBETH

Please just look over there, look! (To Ghost) Look, see, what do you have to say? What do I care? If you can nod then speak as well. If the dead are going to return from their graves, then there is nothing to stop the birds from eating their bodies, so we might as well not bury our people at all.

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

LADY MACBETH

What? Has your foolishness paralyzed you?

MACBETH

As sure as I’m standing here, I saw him.

LADY MACBETH

Nonsense!

MACBETH

blood has been shed now and in the past. Horrible murders happen every day, but now they have come back as ghosts.

LADY MACBETH

my worthy lord, your noble friends miss you.

MACBETH

I forgot about them. Don’t be shocked on my account, my friends. I have a strange condition which doesn’t surprise those who know me well. (raising his glass to toast the guests) Come, let’s toast to love and health to you all. Now I’ll sit down. Give me some wine. Fill my cup.

Lords 

(Hear hear!)

Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO

MACBETH

Go! Out of my sight! Stay in the ground. Your bones no longer contain marrow, your blood is cold. You’re looking at me with eyes that can no longer see.

LADY MACBETH

Good friends, this is nothing more than a habit. It’s nothing else. It’s only spoiling our pleasure tonight

MACBETH

I am as brave as any other man to come at me in the form of a rugged Russain bear, the armed rhinoceros, or a tiger from Iran. Take any shape other than the one you have now and I will never be scared. Or come back to life again and challenge me to a duel. If I am scared then call me a little girl, get out of here you horrible ghost, you’re a hallucination, get out!

GHOST OF BANQUO leaves

Look, now that it has left, I’m a man again, please stay seated

LADY MACBETH

you’ve ruined the whole dinner party

MACBETH

(How can such things happen, overcome us without our curiosity? When you look at these terrible things, you keep a straight face, whilst mine is white with fear)

ROSS

(What things my lord?)

LADY MACBETH

please don’t speak to him, he’s gone a bit mad. I’m sorry you all have to leave in such a hurry and I hope you had a good night.

LENNOX

Good night, and i hope his majesty gets better soon.

LADY MACBETH

Good night everyone.

Everyone leaves except Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

MACBETH

everything will have blood and get revenge for unnatural things have come alive, what is the time of night?

LADY MACBETH

almost morning, hard to tell whether it’s day or night

MACBETH

Why do you think that Macduff refuses to come when I command him?

LADY MACBETH

Did you ask for him sir?

MACBETH

I have paid for a servant to spy. Tomorrow I will go find the witches and I will make them tell me what is going on. My safety is the most important thing to me, I have caused so much trouble that I can’t go any further. I cannot go back. I have plans that I need to put in action before i think about it.

LADY MACBETH

You don’t seem like yourself, you should get some sleep

MACBETH

Let’s go to sleep, My strange delusions are what causes my fear: We are new to crime)

End

Scene 5

The witches meet with Hecate. She tells the sisters off for meddling with Macbeth without talking to her.  But she says she’ll help them when Macbeth comes to see them tomorrow. She says that they’ll show him visions that will give him confidence and “draw him to his confusion”. they plan to offer Macbeth immortality .

scene 6

Lennox and a lord talk sarcastically about Macbeth and the similarities between the murder of Duncan and Banquo with Malcolm and Donalbain accused of the first and Fleance the next. The lord says Macduff and Malcolm are in England trying to get the English armies to come back with them to defeat Macbeth. Macbeth sent a messenger to Macduff. Macduff refused the messenger, who turned his back as if to say that Macduff would pay for that decision. Lenox and the lord hope Macduff will succeed and bring arise back to take Macbeth of the throne.

Macbeth act 2

Scene 1

In act 2 scene 1 of the play ‘Macbeth’ many language features are used, one of this being personification. This is used to personify the dagger for example as a living thing which tells him to go in a certain direction “Thou marshall’st me the way that I was going” this is giving the dagger a human-like trait as he is saying the dagger is ‘marshaling’ (guiding ) him forwards to kill the king. This line means the ‘dagger of the mind’ is leading him along the path he was going already.

Scene 3

A porter goes to answer the door, joking to himself that he is the doorkeeper at the mouth of hell, Macduff and Lennox are at the door. Macduff asks what took so long. The porter blames drunkenness and makes some jokes about alcohol and its effects on men. Macbeth then enters pretending to have just woken up. Macduff asks if the king is awake yet because he has an appointment with Duncan, Macbeth gives him directions to the king’s room. Macbeth and Lenox wait for Macduff to return, Lenox then describes the terrible storm that raged the previous night and sounded like “strange screams of death” (this uses the phrase pathetic fallacy which is a literary term for the attribution of human emotion and conduct to things found in nature that are not human.) Macduff cries out in horror and runs back in, the others ask what happened then they all go to Duncan’s room. Banquo, Malcolm and Donaldbain wake up. Lady Macbeth comes in pretending not to know what happened and expresses horror over the king’s death. Macbeth returns and says he would prefer to die than have to see such a thing. Malcolm and Donalbain enter and ask what’s happened. Lennox tells them that Duncan was murdered by his drunken guards.

Scene 4

Ross and the old man discuss the strange happenings that took place the night Macbeth murdered Duncan such as the sun not coming up and also horses going crazy and eating each other. Ross says “thou seest the heavens as troubled with man’s act threatens his bloody stage” this is like saying you see the skies, they look upset about what mankind is doing and are threatening earth with storms. Macduff reveals Macbeth has been made king. They become suspicious of Duncan’s sons in having a role in the murder. Macduff then goes to fife and Ross goes to scone to see Macbeth crowned as king.