Sam Studies | English Literature GCSE

MACBETH

Macbeth Scene Summaries

Act 1

Scene 1
Three witches appear out of a storm. They make plans to meet after the battle to confront Macbeth.
Scene 2
Macbeth and Banquo fought with great courage in recent battles. King Duncan of Scotland receives a report that the traitorous Thane of Cawdor has been defeated, and decides to give Cawdor's title to Macbeth.
Scene 3
The three witches prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and that Banquo will have sons who are kings. Shortly after, Macbeth is indeed given the title Thane of Cawdor.
Scene 4
Duncan welcomes Macbeth and Banquo and tells them that he plans to make Malcolm his heir to the throne. Macbeth realizes he cannot become king as long as Malcolm is around.
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth learns of the witches' prophecies, and she worries Macbeth won't take the steps necessary to make himself king. Duncan is coming to spend the night at the castle, so she plots Duncan's death.
Scene 6
Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan to the castle.
Scene 7
Macbeth has second thoughts about murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth berates Macbeth for his cowardice, and convinces him to go through with the plan, which is to frame Duncan's chamberlains for his murder.

ACT 2

Scene 1 Banquo and Fleance walk the halls of Macbeth’s castle at night. Macbeth has a vision of a dagger in the air before him. Macbeth heads to Duncan's bedchamber. Scene 2
Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth after killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth plants the murder weapons in Duncan's bedchamber to frame the chamberlains.
Scene 3
Macduff discovers Duncan's murder, along with the murder of the two chamberlains, who Macbeth claims he killed upon realizing they murdered Duncan. Duncan’s sons flee the country.
Scene 4
Macduff tells Ross that Macbeth is going to be crowned as the next king, and that he suspects Duncan's sons are guilty of the murder because they fled the country.

Act 3

Scene 1
Macbeth worries that if the witches’ prophecies continue to come true, Banquo’s children will overthrow him and take the throne. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.
Scene 2
Macbeth advises Lady Macbeth to be kind to Banquo at the evening’s feast, so that Banquo might be lured into a false sense of security.
Scene 3
The murderers ambush Banquo and Fleance at night. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes.
Scene 4
At a royal feast, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and becomes so frightened that Lady Macbeth clears everyone else from the room. Macbeth needs to talk to the witches again to learn more about his future.
Scene 5
The witches meet with Hecate, who counsels them to summon spirits and visions that fill Macbeth with a false sense of security when he comes to see them.
Scene 6
Lennox learns that Macduff has gone to England to meet with Duncan’s son Malcolm and to ask the King of England for help.

Act 4

Scene 1
Macbeth meets again with the three witches who provide comforting prophecies. One says that Macbeth cannot be killed by any man who is born of a woman, while another says that he will be safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.
Scene 2
Lady Macduff is frustrated over her husband’s decision to leave the country. A group of murderers arrive, killing Macduff’s son and chasing after Lady Macduff.
Scene 3
Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to Scotland. Ross arrives with news that things have gone badly since Macbeth took charge, and that Macduff’s family has been murdered.

Act 5

Scene 1
As she sleepwalks, Lady Macbeth bemoans the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo. She speaks of blood on her hands that can never be washed away.
Scene 2
A group of Scottish lords head toward Macbeth's castle. Macbeth makes military preparations.
Scene 3
In his castle, Macbeth boasts that he does not fear the approaching English army because he believes that the witches’ prophecies ensure that he will not be overthrown or killed.
Scene 4
At Birnam Wood, the English forces cut a tree branch for each of the soldiers to help camouflage their numbers as they approach the castle.
Scene 5
Macbeth learns that Lady Macbeth is dead. He then learns that the "trees" of Birnam Wood are advancing toward Dunsinane, and he realizes that the prophecies are coming true.
Scene 6
Outside the castle, the battle commences. Malcolm orders the English soldiers to draw their swords.
Scene 7
Macbeth strikes those around him vigorously. He slays Siward’s son and disappears into the fray.
Scene 8
Macbeth fights Macduff and learns that Macduff was delivered by cesarean section, meaning that he was not born of a woman. Macduff kills Macbeth and proclaims Malcolm the King of Scotland.

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"
— Macbeth, Act I, scene 7

This quote is one from a soliloquy of Macbeth's. He is explicitly making clear that he has no justifiable reason to become king, apart from his own ambition. The phrase "vaulting ambition" suggests ambition that leaps or jumps beyond its proper limits. This metaphor conveys the idea of ambition that exceeds moral or logical boundaries - perhaps Shakespeare is using this metaphor to warn an audience about the dangers of personal ambition, how too much ambition can lead us to do dangerous, uncaring things in pursuit of our own desires. The line "which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other" somewhat foreshadows the idea that Macbeth's ambition, ultimately leads to his downfall as the line, while describing the extend of his ambition, could also be a description to represent how Macbeth o'verleaps himself during his killing spree and falls down because of it. In other words, by overreaching and pursuing his ambitions without moral restraint, Macbeth brings about his own destruction. The quote also offers a glimpse into Macbeth's psyche and inner turmoil. Despite being able to recognise the folly of his ambition, he is unable to restrain himself, indicating the internal conflict between his ambition and his conscience.

"Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires."
- Macbeth, Act I, Scene 4

This is another quote from one of Macbeth's soliloquys. In this scene, King Duncan has just announced his son, Malcolm as his successor. This notion acts as a catalyst for Macbeth's ambition to kill Duncan to become king. The imagery of "Stars, hide your fires" conveys Macbeth's desire for secrecy. The line "Let not light see my black and deep desires" juxtaposes light (representing goodness, truth, and morality) with Macbeth's "black and deep desires" (representing his sinister, evil ambitions). This contrast underscores Macbeth's moral corruption and descent into darkness. This quote also hints to Macbeth's future actions, including the murder of King Duncan and subsequent atrocities committed to maintain his grip on power. It sets the tone for Macbeth's internal struggle and descent into tyranny. These lines highlight the theme of guilt and the internal conflict faced by Macbeth in the play. Macbeth's desire to keep his intentions hidden reflects his awareness of the moral consequences of his actions. This quote could also potentially be interpereted allegorily as a metaphor that suggests that Macbeth has been blinded by darkness of his own ambition and is unable to see the light of goodness and virtue.

"Two truths are told,
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme."
- Macbeth, Act I, Scene 3

This quote is taken from yet another soliloquy of Macbeth's. This comes as a realisation for Macbeth as two of the three witch's prophecies have now come true, "Two truths are told" leading him to believe that the third prophecy could very well also be true. The quote reflects Macbeth's initial excitement and ambition upon hearing the prophecies, as he sees them as promising beginnings ("happy prologues") to his potential ascension to the throne. However, it also hints at the ambiguity and unpredictability of fate and the dangers of unchecked ambition. The phrase "imperial theme" refers to the ambitious desire of Macbeth's - to become king.

"Thou wouldst be great;
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it."
- Lady Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5

Lady Macbeth is reflecting on her husband's ambition and his desire to become king, which she perceives as a great opportunity. However, she believes that Macbeth lacks the ruthlessness necessary to achieve kinghood. "Thou wouldst be great" is Lady Macbeth aknowledging that she believes that her husband would make a great king - this belief could be her driving force in spurring Macbeth to become king. This ambition is seen as a positive trait in her eyes. "Art not without ambition" is Lady Macbeth acknowledging that Macbeth is not lacking in ambition; he does possess the desire for power and greatness. However, the line, "But without the illness should attend it" reveals Lady Macbeth's belief that while Macbeth has ambition, he lacks the necessary cruelty, ruthlessness, and deceit ("the illness") required to carry out the actions necessary to seize power and become king. She perceives these qualities as essential for achieving their ambitions. This quote exemplifies Lady Macbeth's manipulative nature and her willingness to use her husband's ambition to further her own desires. She plans to goad Macbeth into committing murder and is prepared to embrace wickedness to achieve their shared ambitions. Whilst both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are unanimous in the ambition of kingship for Macbeth, they have different approaches to achieving the matter. Macbeth does want to be king, however, as highlighted by Lady Macbeth in this quote, he lacks the required ruthlessness - he does not want to kill to become king. This shows at this point in the play that Macbeth still has a conscience - he is perfectly capable of killing Duncan as we know from earlier in the play how he was a warrior, and a brilliant killer who "Unseemed the Thane of Cawdor from the nave to the chops". Lady Macbeth, however is more radical in her approach to gaining kingship. She knows what must be done (murder) and has the courage to do it.

"Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crown’d withal."
Lady Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5

Lady Macbeth is reading the letter from her husband, which informs her of the witches' prophecy that Macbeth will become king. She immediately begins plotting and planning to ensure that Macbeth seizes the throne, immediatley showing her ambition and ruthlessness. "Hie thee hither" is Lady Macbeth commanding her husband to come to her quickly so that she can share her thoughts and plans with him. "That I may pour my spirits in thine ear" this metaphorical language suggests that Lady Macbeth wants to influence and manipulate her husband by whispering her ambitious and deceitful ideas into his ear. She intends to use her words to fuel his ambition and spur him into action. "And chastise with the valour of my tongue" Lady Macbeth plans to use the force and power of her words, "valour of my tongue" to criticize and persuade Macbeth to overcome any doubts or obstacles, "all that impedes thee" standing in the way of his ambition to become king. "The golden round" refers to the kingship that Macbeth desires. The symbolism "of golden round" is a metaphor for the golden crown that Macbeth hopes to achieve. This symbolism could also be interperetted ambiguosly as a "golden round" is a bullet used in a firearm, therefore, this particular interpretation could potentially symbolise the murder that is being planned. The entire quote as a whole illustrates Lady Macbeth's ambition, manipulation, and willingness to use any means necessary to propel Macbeth towards the throne.

"Tyrant, show thy face!
If thou be’st slain and with no stroke of mine,
My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.
I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms
Are hired to bear their staves: either thou, Macbeth,
Or else my sword with an unbatter’d edge
I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be;
By this great clatter, one of greatest note
Seems bruited. Let me find him, fortune!
And more I beg not."
- Macduff, Act V, Scene 7

Here, Macduff is seeking out Macbeth, who has become a tyrant ruling Scotland with cruelty and tyranny. Macduff is determined to confront and defeat Macbeth to avenge the murders of his family and as well as to restore peace to Scotland. Therefore, this qoute shows Macduff's ambition to kill Macbeth. "Tyrant, show thy face!" This line expresses Macduff's direct challenge to Macbeth, calling him out to confront him openly. Macduff's use of the word "tyrant" underscores his view of Macbeth as a ruthless and oppressive ruler. "If thou be’st slain and with no stroke of mine" this is Macduff declaring his desire for Macbeth's death, expressing that even if he is not the one to personally strike Macbeth down, he hopes that someone else will end Macbeth's reign of terror. Macduff reveals the personal motivation behind his desire to defeat Macbeth in the line, "My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still". The brutal murder of his wife and children by Macbeth's orders weighs heavily on Macduff's conscience, and he seeks to avenge them. "I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms Are hired to bear their staves" here, Macduff expresses his reluctance to engage in meaningless combat with Macbeth's hired soldiers, "wretched kerns" who are mere mercenaries. His true target is Macbeth himself. Macduff's ambitions are made excessivley clear in the line, "Either thou, Macbeth, Or else my sword with an unbatter’d edge I sheathe again undeeded" he is declaring that his sword will only return to its sheath after accomplishing its purpose — either by striking down Macbeth or remaining unused. This quote in its entirety reveals Macduff's courage, determination, and single-minded focus on achieving his goal of confronting and defeating Macbeth.

Deception

"All hail Macbeth, though shalt be king hereafter"
- The Witches, Act I, Scene 1

Here, the witches are decieving Macbeth with their made up prophecies, convincing him that he will become king and kickstarting Macbeths reign of terror

"Assisted by that most disloyal traitor
The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict"
- Ross, Act I, Scene 2

Here, Ross is describing the battle to Duncan, it is revealed that the Thane of Cawdor was a traitor, who had been decieving King Duncan. "Assisted by that most disloyal traitor" highlights the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor as it is made clear that the Thane of Cawdor had been in a position of trust and loyalty to King Duncan. This quote serves as a foreshadowing device in the play. It sets a tone of betrayal and political instability early on, hinting at the themes of ambition, power, and deceit that will be central to the unfolding drama.

"Look like the innocent flower
But be the serpent under't"
- Lady Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5

“When you durst do it, then you were a man;"
- Lady Macbeth, Act I, Scene 7

Lady Macbeth is decieving Macbeth by convincing him that he is a coward for not wanting to kill Duncan. The decietfulness is enhanced here, because we know that Macbeth is certainly not a coward, as in the opening of the play, he is decribed as a brave, fierce warrior.

Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
- Macbeth, Act II, Scene 1

Here, Macbeth's own mind is decieving him by hallucinating an image of a dagger calling to him.

"Woe, alas!
What, in our house?
- Lady Macbeth, Act II, Scene 3

Here, Lady Macbeth is decieving the onlookers by acting as though she does not know of the murder and acting as if she is horrified at the news, whereas in reality, she was party responsible for the murder.

"Oh, yet I do repent me of my fury,
That I did kill them"
- Macbeth, Act II, Scene 3

Here, Macbeth is decieving the onlookers to Duncan's death by putting the blame for Duncan's death on the guards, when in reality, as the audience knows, it was Macbeth who killed Duncan.

"For none of woman-born shall harm Macbeth" - The Witches, Act IV, Scene 1

Here the witches are deceiving Macbeth once more by giving him a false sense of security.

"But I have none: the king-becoming graces,
As justice, verity, temperance, stableness,
Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,
I have no relish of them, but abound
In the division of each several crime,
Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should
Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,
Uproar the universal peace, confound
All unity on earth." - Malcolm, Act IV, Scene 3

Here Malcolm is decieving Macduff, who is trying to convince him to claim the thrown of Scotland. Malcolm is testing Macduff's loyalty by deecieving him into believing that he would be a shit king.

The Real Macbeth

The real Macbeth, of whom the play was somewhat inspired by, was the King of Scotland from 1040 - 1057. Before Macbeth came to power in 1040, his cousin, King Duncan launched an attack upon Moray (A Scottish county where Macbeth ruled), which resulted in the death of Duncan by Macbeth's troops. Macbeth then took the throne of Scotland. His 17 year reign was mostly peaceful, although he did face an English invasion in 1054, the battle of Dunsinane, lead by Siward. In 1057, Macbeth was killed at the battle of Lumphanan by the forces of future King Malcolm, the son of the late King Duncan.

The Holinshed Chronicles

William Shakespeare obtained his historical knowledge from the Holinshed Chronicles, a collection of English, Scottish, and Irish history - although the chronicles are now considered to be highly inaccurate and criticised for unfairly depopularizing the real Macbeth by painting him as a villain. Shakespeare used the Holinshed extensivley when writing Macbeth. The Holinshed contained details about three witches, who meet with Macbeth and Banquo and reveal the same prophecies present in Shakespeare's play, before vanishing into thin air. In the Chronicles version, Macbeth is a much more sympathetic character. King Duncan is depicted as a weak ruler who violates the Scottish laws of succession by failing to consult with the Thanes before naming his son, a mere child named Malcolm, to rule after him. Macbeth and many other Thanes are enraged by this action. Spurred on by the words of the three women he encounters, Macbeth is encouraged to attempt to usurp the kingdom by force. He is also spurred on by his wife, who is ambitious and desires the title of queen for herself. In Holinshed's Chronicles, Banquo is shown as a scheming character: he is an accomplice in Macbeth's murder of Duncan. In comparison to Shakespeare's version, in which Duncan is murdered in his sleep, Duncan is slain in battle and his death is not highly detailed. In the Chronicles, Macbeth rules Scotland not briefly, but for 10 years, and is a capable and wise monarch who implements commendable laws. Fearing that Banquo will seize the kingdom, Macbeth invites him to a supper where he intends to kill him and his son, Fleance. He succeeds in killing Banquo, but his son, Fleance, flees to Wales. Macbeth, convinced by the witches of his invincibility, commits outrageous acts against his subjects, gradually becoming a cruel and paranoid ruler. The tale ends with Macbeth slain by Macduff, who then brings his head to the son of the original king, Malcolm.

Daemonologie

Daemonologie were a collection of books on the topic of witchcraft publish by King James I of England (King James VI of Scotland). Shakespeare's Macbeth was published during the reign of King James, the witches in the play are thought to be highly influenced in their nature and appearance by the Daemonologie books.

JEKYLL & HYDE

Chapter 1
Mr Utterson, a lawyer, is walking with his friend, Mr Enfield when they come to a shabby door. Here, Enfield tells him that he once saw a strange man called Mr Hyde trample a girl and then go through the door to pay off the girl's family.

Chapter 2
Utterson looks after Jekyll's will, which leaves Jekyll's possesions to Hyde in the case of Jekyll's death or disappearance. Disturbed, Utterson visits Lanyon, a colleague and friend of Jekyll. Lanyon has not heard of Hyde, and says he has fallen out with Jekyll. Utterson waits near the door until he manages to see and speak to Mr Hyde. He finds him very unpleasent.

Chapter 3
Utterson asks Jekyll about Hyde and the will. Jekyll refuses to talk about either, saying the will can not be changed and he has an interest in Hyde that he will not discuss.

Chapter 4
A year later, Hyde murders a man in the street. The police find a letter on the man's body addressed to Utterson. Utterson identifies the body as that of Sir Danvers Carew and leads the police to Hyde's home, but he is not in. Looking in his rooms, they find evidence of a hurried departure and half of the walking stick used to murder Carew.

Chapter 5
Utterson visits Jekyll and finds him sick with distraught. He assures Utterson that he will never see Hyde again, and shows him a letter apparently from Mr Hyde saying he can escape. Utterson shows the letter to Mr Guest, who is a handwriting expert. Comparing it with a note from Jekyll, Mr Guest notices that the tw samples of writing are very similar.

Chapter 6
Utterson dines with Jekyll and Lanyon, but a few days later Jekyll will not see him. Utterson visits Lanyon, but finds him very sick, blaming a terrible sock he has had. Lanyon refuses to discuss Jekyll. A few days later, Lanyon dies. He leaves a letter for Utterson to read if Jekyll dies or disappears.

Chapter 7
Walking with Enfield again, Utterson sees Jekyll at his window. Jekyll says he is too sick to come out. They agree to talk through the window, but a look of horor crosses Jekyll's face and he slams the window shut.

Chapter 8
Jekyll's butler, Poole, begs Utterson to go with him to Jekyll's laboratory as he fears Jekyll has been murdered. They break the door down and find Hyde's body on the floor; he has just killed himself by drinking poison. They find a new will, made out to benefit Utterson, and a long statement from Jekyll, but no sign of Jekyll himself.

Chapter 9
This chapter is told in the form of a letter from Lanyon - the one he wrote prior to his death, and instrucetd Utterson to open it only if Jekyll dies or disappears. In summary, the letter reads as follows: One night, Lanyon had recieved a strange note from Jekyll begging him to fetch a drawer of chemicals from his laboratory and give it to a man who would visit him at midnight. Lanyon is visited by a small, ugly man (Hyde). The man mixes the chemicals to make a potion, which he drinks. Moments later, he is transformed into Jekyll. The shock is more than Lanyon can stand.

Chapter 10
This chapter takes the form of a statement from Jekyll. He reveals that he had long felt that he had a dual nature: one hard working and serious, and the other self-indulgent and pleasure-seeking. His scientic work led him to a way of separating the two. He made a potion which freed the negative part of himself to take his evil pleasures wihtout incriminating himself. Soon, this part grew stronger and indulged in more violent and unpleasant acts. Until the murder of Carew, Jekyll switched between the two identities using the potion. Then he stopped using the potion, but began to change spontaneously, and had to use the potion in order to change back. Eventually, he ran out of one of the necessary chemicals that he needed to create the potion. After taking the final dose, he wrote his statement for Utterson to read.

Names

Mr Hyde - Hyde is a homophone of the word, "hide" - meaning concealing of something
Dr Jekyll - If we split this name into two, "Je" and "Kyll", we get the French word for "I" (Je) and a homophone for the work "Kill" (Kyll) - put these two together and you get "I Kill". Coinsidense? Maybe. But the author, Robert Louis Stevenson, was fluent in French. He spent a lot of time in France, his literary style and works were often inspired by French literature. He even met his wife in France. The significance of the translation, "I kill" is effectivley an outward statement that Dr Henry Jekyll was actually a murderer.
Insp. Newcomen - "Newcomen" suggests that he is new to the job. This is certainly reflective of his approach to his work.
Poole - If we split this word into two, "Poo" and "le", then swap them around to make: "le poo", we get the Samoan words for: "The night". Could this just be a coinsidense? Maybe. But the author, Robert Louis Stevenson learned to speak Samoan and lived in Samoa for 4 years before he died there. Poole is often depicted engaging in activities or encounters during the nighttime hours, which contributes to the overall atmosphere of mystery and suspense in the novella.
Mr Utterson - If we split this name into two, "Utte" and "rson", we get the Scottish Gaelic words for: "That's why". Coincidence? Maybe. But the author, Robert Louis Stephenson was Scottish. Utterson takes the role of a detective in the novella. Finding out the truth and why certain things are the way they are, leading him to find out "thats why!"
Lanyon - If we split this name into three: "La nay un", we get the French to English translation of "The nay one". Coinsidense? Maybe. But the author, Robert Louis Stevenson, was fluent in French. He spent a lot of time in France, his literary style and works were often inspired by French literature. He even met his wife in France. By having his name translate into "The nay one", he is effectivley being described as a naysayer. The definition for naysayer is, "one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical about something." This couldn't be more true when describing Lanyon as he is incredibly skeptical and storngly opposes Dr Jekyll's experiments.
Carrew - If we split this name into two: "Car" and "Rue" we get the French to English translation of, "Because Street". Coinsidense? Maybe. But the author, Robert Louis Stevenson, was fluent in French. He spent a lot of time in France, his literary style and works were often inspired by French literature. He even met his wife in France. By having his name translate into "Because Street", he is effectivley describing Carrew's death. The word because means, "The cause of", the cause of his death was being in the street, wrong place, wrong time. Carrew was murdered and died in the street.

Duality

"Man is not truly one, but truly two"
- Dr Jekyll, Chapter 10

Here, Jekyll recognises the duality of human nature. This quote is suggesting that within every human being, there are dual aspects or personas. Specifically in this novella, one side represents the conventional, socially acceptable self (Dr Jekyll), while the other embodies hidden desires (Mr Hyde)

"My devil has been caged, and came out roaring"
- Jekyll, Chapter 10

Here, Jekyll is describing how Hyde represents the evil nature that was always inside of him. "My devil has been caged" shows how Jekyll had previously been surpressing his evil desires. The act of "caging" this devil suggests Jekyll's efforts to contain and conceal these undesirable aspects of his personality. "And came out roaring" shows the extreme extent to which he had been surpressing his desires, conveying the powerful and uncontrollable nature of the unleashed darker impulses. The quote also foreshadows the destructive consequences of indulging in unchecked desires. By allowing his devil to "come out roaring," Jekyll faces the repercussions of his actions, leading to chaos, moral decay, and ultimately tragedy.

"Evil side of my nature"
- Jekyll, Chapter 10

"I concealed my pleasures"
- Jekyll, Chapter 10

"Splintered half" - Jekyll, Chapter 10

"All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil"
- Jekyll, Chapter 10

"The lethal side of man"
- Jeykyll, Chapter 10

Science vs Religion

"Scientific heresies"
- Lanyon, Chapter 3

"O god"
- Lanyon, Chapter 9

"Your sight shall be blasted by a prodigy to stagger the unbelief of Satan"
- Lanyon

"Ape-like"

Good & Evil

"Clubbed him to the Earth"
-

"Like a madman"
-

"Stamping with his foot"
-

"More wicked, tenfold more wicked"
-

"Edward Hyde... was pure evil"
-

Mystery

"What could be inside"
-

"Odd"
-

"Fog"
-

"Don't worry about my safety, I have an escape"
-

"So Deserted"

Names

Theory of Evolution

In 1859, when Robert Louis Stevenson was nine years old, Charles Darwin published "The Origin of Species". This book introduced the Theory of Evolution to the world. Many people saw it as an attack on religion, because the book contradicted the belief that God created the world in seven days, the story of Adam and Eve, and many other religious beliefs. Darwin put forward the theory that all life, including humans, has evolved from more primitive forms. The transformation of Jekyll to the ape-like Hyde links to this idea of a primitive nature inside us. The book's release came at a time when many people saw science and a belief in religion and the supernatural as being at odds with each another. Many felt they had to choose between the two. And many believed that science had become dangerous and was meddling in matters which only God had control over. This is what Jekyll does in the novel.

Victorian Gentlemen

Gentlemen were respected figures in Victorian Society. Gentlemen were expected to behave in a certain way, repress their desires and avoid egotistical behaviours. Gentlemen were from the upper class of Victorian society. The behaviours of gentlemen are prevalent throughout the novella:
Utterson is more concerned with preserving Jekyll’s reputation than bringing Hyde to trial.
Utterson is also wary of gossip, and he tries to avoid talking about Hyde to anyone else.
Lanyon does not reveal the truth about Jekyll in order to protect his reputation.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

Act 1
Arthur Birling leads a toast to the upcoming marriage of his daughter, Sheila, and Gerald Croft. Sheila teases Gerald for being distant the previous summer, and he explains he was occupied at his father's company, a competitor to Birling and Company. Arthur advises his son, Eric, and Gerald to look out for their family and not after everybody else, as some socialists suggest. Their maid tells Arthur a police inspector wants to talk to him. The inspector, Goole, says a girl named Eva Smith has committed suicide by drinking disinfectant. Goole shows Arthur a photo, and he remembers firing Eva after she joined a strike. Sheila recognizes her as a saleswoman she got fired from the store Milward's for a silly reason. When Goole says Eva worked at Milward's as Daisy Renton, Sheila notices Gerald's shock and asks whether she was the girl he saw in the summer he claimed to be busy at work. Gerald admits having an affair with a Daisy.

Act 2
Sybil, Arthur's wife, tells the inspector his questions are impertinent. Goole asks Gerald if he knows Daisy Renton. Gerald initially denies, but at Sheila's urging, confesses meeting Daisy/Eva at a bar, having an affair with her, and breaking up with her. Sybil claims not to remember Eva, but Goole says Sybil had seen her at a charity organization two weeks earlier, when the pregnant girl petitioned for assistance. Sybil says the girl called herself Mrs. Birling, but later said she was not married, and couldn't take money from the child's father because it was stolen. Sybil rejected her petition. Goole says Gerald is not the child's father, so the family concludes Eric probably is.

Act 3
Eric admits to being drunk when he met Eva. After having an affair with her and learning she was pregnant and needed financial support, he started taking money from Arthur's company. Goole blames the entire family for each member's share of responsibility for Eva's suicide. The family blames one another. They then wonder if Goole was really an inspector and was not just bluffing. When Gerald reports that a sergeant said there was no inspector named Goole, Arthur calls the police and confirms. He also calls the hospital and verifies no suicide has been brought in for weeks. As Arthur concludes that since no one died, the family's actions are not so grave, Sheila disagrees, saying they have behaved uncharitably. The phone rings and Arthur tells the family that a girl has been taken to the hospital, dead after swallowing disinfectant, and that a police inspector is coming to interrogate them.

BAD PARENTING

"Now, Sheila, don't tease him. When you're married you'll realize that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You'll have to get used to that, just as I had."
- Mrs Birling, Act 1
This quote shows how Mrs Birling is not at all concerned with her daughter's happiness or wellbeing.

"Want another glass of port?"
- Mr Birling
Mr Birling is oblivious to the fact that his son has a drinking problem.

"Just keep quiet, Eric, and don't get excited."
- Mr Birling, Act 1
Mr Birling is treating Eric as a child, even though he is an adult.

"Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along"
- Mr Birling, Act 1
Mr Birling is trying to protect Sheila from the situation at hand, treating her as a child, even though she is an adult.

"Why the devil do you want to go upsetting the child like that?"
- Mr Birling, Act 1
Here, Mr Birling is explicitly calling Sheila a child, even though she is an adult.

"You seem to have made a great impression on this child, inspector."
- Mr Birling

"He's just talking to my son, Eric, who seems to be in an excitable silly mood"
- Mrs Birling

"He's only a boy."
- Mrs Birling

"I've been trying to persuade Eric to go to bed, but he won't. Now he says you told him to stay up. Did you?"
- Mr Birling

"Then let the lad go"
- Mr Birling

"What's the matter with that child?"
- Mr Birling

"You're behaving like an hysterical child tonight."
- Mrs Birling

"You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble"
- Eric

"You don't understand anything. You never did. You never even tried"
- Eric

CLASS

"Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things"
- Mrs Birling, Act 1

"It's a pity sir George and – we – lady croft can't be with us, but they're abroad and so it can't be helped. As I told you, they sent me a very nice cable – couldn't be nicer. I'm not sorry that we're celebrating quietly like this"
- Mr Birling, Act 1
Suggests that the Crofts are of a superior class, "sir" and "lady". Perhaps they are not at the meal because they view the Birlings as too low a class.

"I have an idea that your mother – lady croft – while she doesn't object to my girl – feels you might have done better for yourself socially-"
- Mr Birling, Act 1

"There's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next honours list. Just a knighthood, of course."
- Mr Birling

"You see, I was lord mayor here two years ago when royalty visited us. And I’ve always been regarded as a sound useful party man."
- Mr Birling, Act 1

"They'd be all broke – if I know them."
- Gerald, Act 1
Gerald looks down on the working class, making unfair stereotypes toward them.

"I don't play golf"
- Inspector, Act 1
Golf is an upper class sport.

"Girls of that class--"
- Mrs Birling, Act 2
Mrs Birling is being snobbish

"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!"Mrs Birling, Act 2

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

"Community and all that nonsense"
- Mr Birling

"These girls arn't cheap labour, they're people"
- Shiela

"If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?"
- Mr Birling

"It's better to ask for the earth than to take it."
- Inspector

"I can't accept any responsibility"
- Mr Birling

"We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that a time will come when if men will not learn that lesson, they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night."
- Inspector

THE AUTHOR

J.B. Priestley was born and grew up in the city of Bradford, Yorkshire - a great industrial city. Around the city, Priestly witnessed a lot of poverty in the working classes. At the same time, Priestley also took note of how the memebers of the respectable classes behaved, often believing them to be smug and hypocritical. Priestley's father was a pound socialist. Priestley was raised around his father's values. When Priestley was 19, World War I broke out. Priestley volunteered in the british army. He served for 5 years, during which he: saw active front line service in France, got burried alive by a German shell, and fell victim to a gas attack. His experiences at war made him realise the extent of the injustice of social inequalities. After the war, Priestley studied Modern History and Political Science at Cambridge University. After attending university, he became a famous essayest, novelist, and radio broadcaster, using his platform to speak out about class inequality and poverty in Britain. At a regimental reunion in Bradford, Priestley was sickened to hear that his fellow veterans were too poor to afford clothes for the event. Upon discovering this Priestley became outraged that these people had given everything for a society that didn't even care about them. In 1942, Priestley became one of the founding members of the socialist political party: The Common Wealth Party. Priestley became an influential political figure in British Politics, shaping the period's political scene and helping the Labour party win the election in 1945, and contributing to the creation of the Welfare State. Priestly liked to look into the responsibilites and duties of the collective and those of the individiual. Priestley was also fascinated by theories of time, he even came up with his own theory for how time worked. We see a link in "An Inspector Calls" as he explores the effect's of an individual's actions over a passage of time he also references a, "Chain of events".

CHARITY

During the reign of Queen ELizabeth I (1558 - 1603), a "Poor Law" was introduced to offer money and support to the poor. A few years before Priestley's time, the "Poor Law" was reformed by Queen Victoria, who believed that the poor should work for their money (kind of ironic as she didn't exactly have to work for her money!). Therefore workhouses were set up, which meant that poor people had to work in awful conditions in order for others to believe that they were worthy of being helped.

WOMEN

Women who had "lost their innocence" and "fallen from the grace of God" were known, by the society of the time as "Fallen Women". "Fallen Women" included: prostitutes, mistresses, and adulterers. Although these women were condemned and ostracised by society, there was a romantic ideal surrounding how men treated them. Middle class "philianthropists" often made efforts to "rescue" women from prostitution. Priestley suggests that this romantic ordeal was motivated by lust, as we see through the characters of Gerald and Eric in "An Inspector Calls".

HYPOCRISY

Most of the people in the upper classes, particuarly men, lived a double life. They would endugled in sinful acts such as visiting brothels in secret, and then condemn these acts publically. We see evidence of a double life in "An Inspector Calls", through the characters of Eric and Gerald who visit bars in Brumley.

WORKERS' RIGHTS & STRIKES

Many workers were unhappy by the way that they were being treated. As Mr Birling said himself, the tension between employers and their employees grew toward the 1910s. The tension resulted in strikes. The governement eventually interviened, putting an end to these strikes, by introducing a minmum wage.

SOCIALISM

Socialism is the theory that encouraged collaboration, based on the belief that we are most efficient and successful when we work together.

POETRY

Ozymandias - Percy Shelley

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In the poem Ozymandias, the speakers is retelling a converation with a traveller who tells him about an ancient, wrecked statue in a desert. The traveller describes two giant legs, and tells how the rest of the statue is in ruins. The statue's pedestal highlights who Ozymandias was - a fierce ruler. The ending of the poem describes the emptyness of the desert around the statue, showing that time and nature are more powerful than man.

London - William Blake

In the poem London, the speaker is being pessimistic about society. He comments on the oppression of the people of London, the people who live just to work, child workers, soldiers fighting wars pointless wars to satisfy the nobles, prostitution, and the all round pitifullness of the streets of London.

The Charge of The Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson

In the poem The Charge of The Light Brigade, 600 soldiers are ordered to run into what is efectively a deathtrap.

Exposure - Wildfred Owen

In the poem Exposure, the poem descirbes the experiences of the trenches during World War One. The soldiers are freezing and exhausted.

Remains - Simon Armitage

In the poem Remains, the speaker is retelling a time in which he and some fellow soldiers were sent to deal with looters. They shoot one of the looters, who may not have even been a threat. The soldiers treat the dead looters body with nothing but disrespect. The speaker describes the lasting guilt and trauma he feels for the looter whom he killed.

Checking Out Me History - John Agard

In the poem Checking Out Me History, the speaker is describing critising what he was taught in history lessons at a British school. He gives information about historical black figures who he was never taught about in British school, and mocks the things that he was actually taught in British school, such as nursery rhymes.

Allegory - A narrative with one obvious literall meaning, and one "hidden" meaning. Often intending to teach a moral lesson.
Alliteration - Words that are next to each other with the same starting sound
Ambiguity - Where a word or phrase has multiple meanings
Anaphora - Repetition of a word or phrase at the start of a sentence Eg: In every cry of every man, In every infant's cry of fear, In every voice, In every ban.
Anthropomorphism - When a writer gives an animal human qualities through literal description rather than figurative
Assonance - Where words have the same vowel sounds. Eg: might fly our lives like paper kites
Autobiographical - When I writer is writing about themself
Blank verse - Poetry that does not rhyme
Caesura - A pause in a line of poetry
Chiasmus - When two or more parrallel clauses are inverted. Eg: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Chronological - Events that happen in time order
Cliché - A common, unoriginal, overused expression
Colloquial - Everyday spoken language
Congeries - A "piling" list. Eg: "Apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order, what have the Romans done for us?"
Consonance - Repetition of a consonant sound
Dialect - A variation of language spoken by people from a particular place
Dramatic Monologue - Passage spoken by one speaker
Emotive - Something that makes you feel a particular emotion
Empathy - When someone understands what someone else is experiencing and how they feel
End-stopping - Finishing a line of poetry with the end of a sentence or phrase
Enjambment - In poetry when a sentence or phrase runs over one line to the next
Euphemism - A word or phrase used to conceal meaning
First Person - Written from a personal perspective, using words such as: "I", "my", "we", and "our"
Form - The type of poem and its features
Foreshadowing - Hinting at the future.
Free Verse - Poetry that doesn't rhyme, and has no regular rhythm or line length.
Half Rhymes - Words that have a similar, but not identical, end sound. Eg: "crisp" & "grasp"
Homonyms - Words that are spelled and sound the same but have different meanings
Hyperbole - An overexaggeration
Iambic Pentameter - A poem in which each line has 10 syllables, 5 stressed and 5 unstressed. The stress falls on every second syllable.
Iambic Tetrameter - A poem in which each line has 8 syllables, 4 stressed and 4 unstressed.
Idiom - A saying using figurative language. Eg: It's raining cats and dogs
Imagery - Language that creates a picture in a reader's mind.
In medias res - When a narrative starts in the middle of action.
Internal Rhyme - When two or more words rhyme within the same line rhyme
Irony - When words are used to imply the opposite of what they mean. Irony can also be used to make a point that is not true, for example when the audience knows something that the characters do not.
Isocolon - Two or more phrases or clauses have similar structure, rhythm, and length. Eg: "I came, I saw, I conquered"
Juxtaposition - When two words of opposite meaning are placed next to each other.
Language - The choice of words used.
Litotes - A double negative Eg: "You won't be happy"
Metaphor - Describing something by saying it is something else.
Monologue - One person speaking for a long period of time.
Mood - The feel or atmosphere of the text.
Motif - A concept, theme, or image reacurring throughout the text. Eg: Doors in Jekyll & Hyde
Narrative - Writing that tells a story.
Narrator - The person speaking the words.
Onomatopoeia - A word that sounds like the action it is describing
Oxymoron - Two words placed next to each other with contradicting meanings. Eg: "Lovely war", "awfully good", "original copy"
Paraprosdokian - A figure of speech in which the latter part of the sentence is surprising or unexpected. Eg: "I have the heart of a small child - on my dinner plate"
Personification - Giving a non-living thing human qualities or behaviours.
Phonetic Spellings - When a word is spelled exactly how it sounds.
Plosive - A short burst of sound made when you say a word containing the letters: b, d, g, k, p, or t.
Polysyndeton - Repetition of the word "and". Eg: Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Repetition - Repeating a word or phrase within a short space of words.
Rhetoric - When text is written to persuade you toward a particular view.
Rhetorical Question - A question that does not need an answer.
Rhyming Couplet - A pair of rhyming lines that follow each other.
Rhyming Triplet - Three rhyming lines that follow each other.
Satire - Exageration, ridicule, or irony used to mock human nature or society.
Sibilance - Repition of "s" and "sh" sounds. Eg: "senteries whisper, curious, nervous"
Simile - Likening something to something else
Soliloquy - a character speaking their thoughts aloud, refelcting on their own thoughts.
Structure - The order and arrangement of ideas in a text
Symbolsim - When an object represents something else
Syntax - The arrangement of words in a sentence to ensure that it makes sense.
Third Person - Written from a non-personal perspective.
Tone - The mood or feelings surpressed by the way in which the text is written.
Volta - A turning point.
Zoomorphism - Giving a non-animal animalistic qualitites

Q) How far does Priestley present male characters as irresponsible in the play?

Priestley presents all of the male characters in "An Inspector Calls" as irresponsible. He does this by associating qualities of the seven deadly sins within each male character's persona, as well as attributing other irresponsible qualities to each of them.

Preistly presents the character of Mr Birling as irresponsible as he is greedy. Mr Birling describes himself as, "A hard-headed practical man of business" suggesting that he tends to focus soley on the profitablity of his business. The alliterated phrase "hard-headed" suggests that he is firm, and unfeeling toward anything but his business. We also know that he is greedy as he refuses to pay his workers fair prices, even after their strike. Mr Birling is also presented as greedy when talking about Sheila's engagement to Gerald in the quote, "For lower costs and higher prices" showing that his only focus is not on love or happiness for his daughter, but on the increased profitability of his business. This quote also presents Mr Birling as irresonsible as he is a bad parent. Throughout the play, Mr Birling treats his children, who are fully grown adults, as if they were still children. He also is oblivious to the fact that Eric is an alcoholic when he offers him, "Want another glass of port?" further proving that he is a bad father. Eric explicity highlights the fact that Mr Birling is a bad father by saying, "You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble". Eric's thoughts are further expressed when he says, "You don't understand anything. You never did. You never even tried". The repetition of the word, "you" puts emphasis on the directed nature of Eric's anger toward his father. Mr Birling's irresponsibility is also shown when he offers the inspector a drink while he is on duty. This is irresponsible and innapropriate because the inspector would not be able to carry out his job properly or remain proffesional if under the influence of alcohol. Mr Birling is also presented as irresponsible as he is naive. He believes the titanic to be, "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" which is ironic as the titanic did in fact sink, showing that Mr Birling has a false sense of inflated self-intelligence, making him very irresponsible. His naivety is also shown when he says, "The Germans don't want war" which is irony again, because the Germans did in fact want war. Mr Birling also shows a sense of naivety and arogance when he says, "There's a chance I might find myself on the next honours list". At the end of the play, Mr Birling is presented as irresponsible as he refuses to accept any blame for the death of Eva Smith. He is also irresponsible as he tries to bribe the police inspector, "I'd pay thousands, yes thousands" offering to pay a police inspector thousands to cover up his actions as hush money, which is not only illegal, but morally wrong.

Gerald is presented as irresponsible when he cheats on his girlfriend with a prostitute. His irresponsibilty is also enhanced here when he lies to Shiela by telling her that he was merely busy at the works, when in reality he was spending this time with Daisy Renton. By lieing, he is decieving Sheila and acting sinfully. At the time the play was written, it was fairly common for men of the upper class to "rescue" prostitutes which Priestley suggests was for their own lustful desires. Gerald is also irresponsible as he looks to only deny the inspector's story, rather than take responsibility for his actions.

The Inspector is presented as irresponsible, because he has most likely made this story about Eva Smith up, decieving the Birlings, however, it could be argued that by making this story about Eva Smith up, he is attempting to bring about responsibility in others. The Inspector is also irresponsible when he erupts in a violent flame of anger as he shouts, "Don't stammer and yammer at me again, man. I'm losing all patience with you people." The rhyming of "stammer" and "yammer" creates a sort of explosive sound, making this line of the inspector's more resonant for an audience. By refering to him as a, "man" the inspector is talking refering to Mr Birling in a disrespectful manner, showing irresponsibility. By having the Inspector evoke irresponsable traits, Priestley may be trying to say that nobody is perfect, because even virtuous men such as the Inspector can act irresponsibly.

Eric is presented as irresponsible in the play as he had "forced himself" upon a girl. To support the girl who he irresponsibly got pregnant, Eric turns to the irresponsible means of stealing. We are told that he stole 50 pounds from his fathers company. Whilst alot of emphasis is placed upon Eric's irresponsibilities, by the end of the play he becomes one of the most responsible characters as he accepts responsibility, and while the others are celebrating the fact that the inspector was not real, Eric still believes that they must still bear responsibility for their actions, even if no one else will ever know about them.

English Literature

MACBETH

Scene Summaries - Macbeth expand_content

Macbeth Scene Summaries

Act 1

ACT 2

Act 3

Act 4

Act 5

Macbeth Key Themes + Quotations expand_content

Ambition

Deception

Macbeth Context expand_content

The Real Macbeth

The Holinshed Chronicles

Daemonologie

JEKYLL & HYDE

Scene Summaries - Jekyll & Hyde expand_content

Jekyll & Hyde Key Themes + Quotations expand_content

Names

Duality

Science vs Religion

Good & Evil

Mystery

Jekyll & Hyde Context expand_content

Names

Theory of Evolution

Victorian Gentlemen

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

Scene Summaries - An Inspector Calls expand_content

An Inspector Calls Key Themes + Quotations expand_content

BAD PARENTING

CLASS

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

An Inspector Calls Context expand_content

THE AUTHOR

CHARITY

WOMEN

HYPOCRISY

WORKERS' RIGHTS & STRIKES

SOCIALISM

POETRY

Poetry Recap - Recordings and Explanations expand_content

Ozymandias - Percy Shelley

London - William Blake

The Charge of The Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson

Exposure - Wildfred Owen

Remains - Simon Armitage

Checking Out Me History - John Agard

Poetry Key Themes + Quotations expand_content

Literary Techniques expand_content

Adjectives Word Wheel expand_content

Film Adaptations expand_content

Macbeth

Watch The Full Movie Now:

An Inspector Calls

Watch The Full Movie Now:

Exam Techniques, Timings, & Tips expand_content

TOP TIPs

TIMINGS

Paper 1

Paper 2

EXAM TECHNIQUE

Paper 1

Paper 2

Model Answers expand_content

Q) How far does Priestley present male characters as irresponsible in the play?

Literature Past Papers expand_content

English Literature Past Papers