this video is by far the best english video i have ever seen, you mr salles have made me love english and macbeth (a book i despised) my opening my eyes - i cannot thank you enough :)
This is an absolute mindblower of a video! It's expanded my view of Shakespeare so much. The Witches' potential for showing dynamics of feminism and power are endless it makes my head question everything about the play; looking beyond what everyone already knows.
could I say another reason why he wrote the letter informing his wife about the encounter with the witches was because he acknowledges his wife's feminist views in this patriarchal society and because he loves her very much, he sees this as a way of her gaining the power she wanted? @@MrSallesTeachesEnglish
Excellent video. This is an in-depth analysis at it's finest. The way that the witches role is linked to the parallels between womens' role in a patriarchal society is giving me whole new respect for Shakespeare. So many layers. Thank you.
Perhaps the witches are simply a construct by Shakespeare to outline the ambition in certain characters and to spark their downfall. As well as this, if the witches were simply predicting the future, Lady Macbeth could be a witch that helps to achieve those predictions (she also is unnamed, similar to the witches)
Thank You so much! It took me three weeks to finish my full analysis of the witches watching a few minutes each day and it was worth every minute as I have learnt so much more about the Witches than in school! Thank you very much!!
This video puts a very interesting spin on the play, the more I look into the play the more links i see that reinforce this idea. This is a very original and solid argument to integrate into any witches question, and has helped me a lot. Thanks Mr Salles
WOW!!! thats way more than i ever imagined!! just one thing that i was thinking about though.. banquo said "last night", because it is, in fact, early in the morning (12 am). he says he cannot sleep because of the "cursed thoughts" plague him in his sleep. these thoughts being of the witches.
I am in year 11 and my exams are in one weeks time and I was wondering what grade would you give this? The witches are presented as potent supernatural creatures this is conveyed through their strong foreshadowing thoughts. This is highlighted through the use of a oxymoron “Fair is foul and foul is fair”. The term “fair” juxtaposes with the term “foul” , this could signify Macbeth as he was portrayed as a “valiant”, noble and intrepid character, yet these character traits unravels as he transform to a sombre and blood- thirsty tyrant. This indicates the foulness the witches were foreboding. Contrastingly, the character Malcolm veils as a callous and vile man as he deceive Macduff testing his honour. Unlike Macbeth, Malcolm only portrays himself as a malicious person only for the purpose of good, saving Scotland from the power-hungry monster Macbeth. This links to the witches as they stated “ foul is fair”. This could perhaps be a reference to Malcolm as he had to act like a malignant man but truly he is not. This implies that the witches are powerful women purely because they have the ability to visualise and see the future, they know what would happen to each character, their fates and destinies. This creates a ominous and eerie atmosphere for the Jacobean audience as they have been illustrated a vivid image, they can see the immense power the witches hold this would have left them in a state of utter disturbance. This is because during the Jacobean era witches were hags associated with the devil, the fact that the witches could foreshadow can happen to a character would have completely petrifying and would have captivated the audience in a effective way. Shakespeare’s intention was to indicate how the witches predictions of the two contrasting characters did come true and not everything appears to be what it seems. We see a compassionate hero fall into pure evilness and a character willing to sacrifice his goodness for others. This overall shows how the witches do appear strong as they knew all these things would happen in the end, alternatively one could argue that the weird sisters were warning that something horrendous would occur. What do you think mr salles?
I have made it to the end of the video, but I did cheat... in the sense that I put the video on 2x speed with subtitles - but I think I still learned just as much. Thank you.
This is amazing! So many essay features and different points or perspectives. Could you do similar things for A Christmas Carol or An Inspector Calls? Maybe character specific analysis for each?
Greetings from China, I watched a show called "sleep no more " which is primarily based on "Macmath," thank you for your insightful interpretations, in China, there is an old budda saying: what you think you become, it was Macbeth himself shaped his reality, not the witches. Thank you again for your wisdom.
Greetings from Swindon! I've only had 81 views from China in the last year, compared to 30,000 from Hong Kong. I think you are my first greeting from China - thank you. As no one is watching me in China, could you suggest a video I should make which would help students like you? I'll see if I can make it. I think your interpretation of Macbeth works really well.
Dear Mr Salles, Your work here is excellent and I feel that I really benefit from all of your in depth and thought out videos. I have one request and it is just that sometimes I find your analysis hard to write about because you speak about it in colloquial language and therefore I don't feel that I can make it into a full well argued paragraph. could you please put on the screen some sort of writing in which you make bullet points about the points you are making but in neat and sophisticated ways because I really want to be able to put your points to good use but I just struggle with forming sentences out of what you are saying even though I understand what you are saying. I hope you don't take this as a bad thing but just something which I think might help some students as well as myself. thanks again for all your time and effort. Maya
You could say that through Macbeth's interaction with the witches, lady Macbeth gained power though him, as she had little power at the start, but then Macbeth told her about the witches and she started getting more powerful then after we see the witches for the final time, a little afterwards she loses power of herself and she dies, it's like the power lady Macbeth has, is being fed by the witches
Just wanted to say thank you for the this entire video, especially the point on Banquo with the 'I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters' quote- I used it in my exam and I feel really confident about it! :)
This video is absolutely amazing! i made a quick paragraph on one point i found rally interesting, i was hoping if you can tell me a grade for it and where i can improve? Thank you ! Later on in the play, the power and influence the witches and Lady Macbeth have over Macbeth is expressed through a paradoxical chiasmus. Lady Macbeth soliloquises her desire to “hold, hold!”, deliberately foreshadowing Macbeth's final words following his mutual demise. Shakespeare carefully crafts the text in order for Macbeth to echo his “dearest” Lady Macbeth, connoting the influence she has over him, further explored with Lady Macbeth acting as a “spur” towards Macbeth's reckless ambition. However, alternatively one could infer that the influence Lady Macbeth has over Macbeth may suggest his psychological behaviour rather than being under the influence of the witches, therefore undermining their power over the future with Lady Macbeths influence over him potentially a greater underlying factor.
You have all the right ideas, but have gone overboard on the vocabulary and sentence length! So, it would get grade 7 no problem, but the examiner would not be certain enough about your meaning for grades 8 and 9 to be secure.
At 28:56, I like this interpretation you gave, but can't help to feel this childish presence reinforces Jacobeans society. "Children" are small and delicate. At the time in shakespeare's contemporary audience most of the viewers were men. But juxtaposing this with the "childish" melody of the witches it almost gives a feel that they are not just physically but being metaphorically "looked down upon by society (by the audience)". the fact they are "child like" means the audience would have to look down at them more than a normal character, (they have to physically look down to see them.) Im not sure about you, but when i read that passage i thought it was quite soft sounding perhaps referring to how Shakespeare thought women were soft and delicate, he is almost mocking the power women strive for.
Excellent! TY. I’m Doing a Audio project playing Witch 2. This very helpful. Love it. How relevant today Women fighting the Patriarchy. Grateful to be a part of this expression. I got to the end of this.
ok so im year 11 right now and ve have been watching this and im sooo thankful ive been making note as u spoke and ive just realized ive wrote 10 whole pages the way i saw witches has changed and its made me requestion everything thank you for the help Mr salles better than having a tutor
Hello sir, is there a quote that you can provide to prove that Macbeth did remove his armour before the war, as i cant find a quote anywhere... Thank you!
I'm not sure either but I think that it might be the "disdaining fortune" as he's taunting death , maybe implying he wears no armour? Cant find anything myself
this video is incredible, opened me up to countless new interpretations. I was wondering if all of these ideas are your originals or if you take them from sources because they are out if this world?
Love the video Sir! I was wondering if you would be able to mark an essay I wrote on Lady Macbeth. I used the extract and question from the specimen material. I understand if you don't have time but any help would be much appreciated. Thank you for your excellent videos! To a certain extent Lady Macbeth is presented as powerful in the extract and the play as a whole, however this power is undermined by her desperation and the male characters in the play. Shakespeare constructs her to represent the majority of women in the Jacobean era and also shows that she is a victim of the patriarchal society. Lady Macbeth is presented as powerful in this extract when she demands the spirits to “unsex” her. The imperative verb of “unsex” suggests her power and strength: she is demanding evil spirits to take her femininity away despite knowing that she will go to hell. For a contemporary audience this would be deeply unsettling since many would be fearful of the supernatural and of being dammed. Lady Macbeth is willing to deal with the supernatural and so is seen as brave and powerful- characteristics shared by men and, in particular, soldiers. She can then be seen as a character that is going against the patriarchy, which would not occur in many plays at the time.She is further presented as powerful when she tells Macbeth to “look like the innocent flower. But be the serpent under’t”. The simile of “the innocent flower” can be interpreted as her mocking Macbeth’s feminine qualities- qualities which she appears to no longer have. This would be very dangerous for her as it could be dangerous to mock a warrior. However, she comments on hi masculine qualities of “being the serpent”. She is hence very manipulative and a powerful woman. The metaphor of “the serpent” is an allusion the biblical story where Adam and Eve get tempted by a serpent. A Jacobean audience would immediately understand the weight of such an allusion. It is clear she will be punished. Her fearless nature combined with manipulative skills presents her as powerful. Shakespeare structures the text to present her as powerful. The extract is very early on in the play and a female character to be given a soliloquy so early would be very strange. By giving her this soliloquy, she is presented as powerful; she would be listened to by the audience and would be centre stage. Many women would be subservient to men and not have this much influence. In addition, Macbeth sends her this letter despite knowing he will meet her soon. His dependency on his wife presents her as powerful.This power is subtly undermined in this extract and throughout the play. In the extract she keeps Duncan “under” her battlements. The preposition of under emphasises could be seen as her way of showing dominance. Alternatively, we can view this as her desperation of power that she cannot obtain by just means. This is echoed when at the end of the play, the audience hears “a cry of woman within”. This stage direction is what signifies her death. Lady Macbeth is killed off stage, which presents how powerless she really is and how, despite assisting in regicide, she still obtains no power because of one reason: she is a woman.Her weakness is further presented when Shakespeare writes Macbeth to completely undermine her power. She is told by Macbeth to be “innocent of the knowledge dearest Chuck” when she asks for more information. The word “dearest” could be Macbeth showing endearment to his wife, but most likely it represents his lack of respect for her. The adjective of “dear” is used several times by Macbeth when he addresses her and so presents how he sees her as inferior. The development of Lady Macbeth is a salient feature of the play as it presents the overwhelming power of the patriarchy. We are made to sympathise with her as she says “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t”, which shows her humanity. “Macbeth” can be interpreted as a feminine text as she is a woman who restricted from opportunities due to the society she lives in and so Shakespeare attempts to make the audience sympathise with her in order to promote change
Yes, I've read it at last. It is very good, and would probably get a grade 8, rather than a 9. Not all your paragraphs link, and the conclusion is slightly disconnected. I love the way you have absorbed lots of the ideas in my videos. I'll probably make you a video!
Thanks a lot, these are some very interesting interpretations of the Witches in Macbeth. It is vital, however, to remember, that this is a contemporary reading. Shakespeare was not psychological - psychological realism only emerged around the end of 19th/beginning of the 20th century. This play is closely knit with the Gunpowder Plot and the whole Guy-Fawkes-blowing-up-the-parliament thing. In Shakespeare's times, people believed that the plotters met on a Black Mass and aided by the Devil decided to find a way to overthrow King James I. Up until the beginning of the 17th century the witches have been presented as working individually with the exception of meeting up for a Sabbat, where they were thought to celebrate the Devil. Macbeth is the first play where the witches are known to congregate to plot and influence politics - that is why Shakespeare’s witches were so mindblowing in Shakespeare's time. Also, the play isn't a feminist manifesto. The reason why the witches are female not male, is probably because of the significantly higher percentage of those accused of witchcraft being female (80-90%) as in Shakespeare’s time people believed that women had a predisposition to excessive emotion, basically that they are capable of great rage and envy etc. which, in turn, made them witches. Applying modern readings to the times past is a fallacy. It does have many benefits,yes, and because of the richness of Shakespeare’s work it is possible, but before making any easy assumptions, I recommend you first look into the historical context of the work - Arden's annotated edition of Shakespeare's Macbeth is really good for example. :)
Thanks for your really helpful post. I was not aware that witches plotting individually was the presumed method of contact - certainly King James didn't think so in his Daemononlogy, and nor did the Salem withc trials which took place less than a generation later. I am not sure we can dismiss a psychological or feminist interpretation just because these things didn't exist in Shakespeare's time. The vocabulary would be alien to him, ubt some of the ideas could easily resonate (or not).
Would it make sense to say that at the onset the first witch says "We three" where "We" and "three" are oxymoronic as "we" is a plural but "three" separates them. Could it allude to the Trinity which the Puritan audience would obviously be aware of and because there are "three" of them but act like one body, they're like an anti-Trinity which demonstrates the full grasp of their supernatural evil.
Thank you for such an in-depth yet brief analysis of Macbeth, I loved it and I'm certainly going to use your hints about witches and patriarchal society with my students for their research project. Thank you. P.S. I listened to the end ... and wanted to hear more!
could the witches come up in the 2019 exam? I've started revising on: Macbeth, Frankenstein and Animal Farm, as these are the texts that I'll be tested on.
Mr Salles I have a question. How does "peace! the charms wound up" link to king James when it is king James who encourages witch hunts and caused many witches to be burnt at stake?
my teacher told us that Macbeths hamartia is his loyalty to his wife, not ambition. he notified his wife about the encounter with the witches which revealed his wife's hamartia which is her ambition for her husband to succeed and take the throne
Yes, you can argue that. However, why bother writing to her unless he wanted her to start planning how to murder Duncan before he arrives? Also, he ditches her pretty much as soon as he becomes king. So, personally, I feel his hamartia is not his wife.
hey i was just wondering what would be the main theme of the three witches obviously appearance vs reality manipulation prophecy and maybe evilness but its very hard to find quotes for these themes
My teacher told me today that you need to quote 50 percent from the extract and 50 percent from the novel as a whole in order to get top grades. Is this true? Or can i do 20 percent from the extract and the other 70 percent from the play as a whole?
You could also link the idea of "tending on mortal thoughts" as a point for the witches not actually being supernatural but having a "strange intelligence" in that they can sense people's psyche and corrupt people into doing evil "deeds" by psychological exploitation. Love your videos, really enhanced my love for Shakespeare and English literature as whole :)
I also thought your idea about the witches being products of a patriarchal society could link to the philosophical interpretation (based on the ideas of Locke ) in that the oppressive, male dominant society has shaped the tabula rasa of the witches (or Lady Macbeth) into being evil
@@tamarakarim3808 If you are happy for me to make a video of any, then please do - sallesdominic@gmail.com I can't promise to give your feedback though
sir can you please tell me how good this response is for analyzing unseen poetry? How is Autumn presented in the poem? The poem by Naomi Lazard entitled 'When autumn came' tells a horrendous story about Autumn which has brought destruction and sorrow by establishing its tyrannical rule over nature. The lyrical piece delves into the themes of brutality and power of nature over man. Lazard skilfully employs a metaphoric verb in order to demonstrate that the Autumn is quite aggressive and brutal as the poem reads:'it stripped them down to the skin'. The fragment clearly highlights that Autumn is murderous and perhaps might imply its ruthlessness due to the fact that it is victimizing the trees. Moreover, the employment of the metaphoric verb 'stripped' possibly indicates the unbearable pain and misery that is caused by autumn to the trees and the use of the personified noun 'skin' makes the reader to have sympathy for the trees as 'skin' conjures up the connotation of fragility, thus exemplifying the vulnerability of the trees and that the autumns evil force is unstoppable. Furthermore, the imagery of agony is evoked through the use of the hyperbolic verb to illustrate that Autumn has diminished any sort of hope or happiness. The birds 'were exiled from their song' and 'each voice torn out of its throat', thus highly suggesting that Autumn is quite dominant and it is quite devilish too- as it steals the voice of the birds.The hyperbolic verb 'exiled' indicates that Autumn wants to spread misery everywhere and also that it is merciless as it harms birds too. The noun 'song' which is sung by birds is usually amiable, sweet and relaxing and the fact that it is 'torn' out from the throat of the birds imply that Autumn is harsh. A number of elements of structure and form add to the vivid portrayal of the theme of brutality. Firstly, Lazard successfully utilises caesura to depict the fear and fright caused by Autumn in the poet's mind that causes him to suddenly pause. Secondly, the enjambment emphasizes on the scary effects of autumn on nature to the reader and illustrates that the effects are terrifying as the poet himself lacks the control to suggest the intensity of fright. Overall, the poet's peculiar presentation of the topic of Autumn makes it appear particularly frightening and innovative, alluding to the reader that nature punishes the world through its seasons like here through autumn. The poem sheds a new light on the theme of power of nature over the world making readers realise that nature is the most powerful and dominant force.
I don't think that Shakespeare was trying to say that King James became the king because of the witches intervention because Shakespeare deliberately calls them the weird sisters (weird meaning fate), perhaps Shakespeare is suggesting that it was going to happen anyway whether Macbeth had acted on the prophecies or not.
Thank you so much, very helpful although I looked through scene 1 of macbeth but found no mention of macbeth throwing his shield away or being reckless in the first battle.
Thank you very much for the video! I found your comments on Shakespeare possibly mocking king James really interesting; and have come across this idea in other places too, but I feel hesitant to write about it without understanding what motive Shakespeare has to mock King James when (as you pointed out) this would be a fairly dangerous move. Do you think he's just childishly making fun of the fact that James believed in witches? Thanks again for all the help you've given me :D
Are there any more videos like this for each character in Macbeth? because I know you have videos for each character in inspector calls but I cant seem to find videos on Macbeth specific characters.
thank you SO much, i've gone from a 6 to a 9 using your videos! ur an absolute legend- I love English so much more now that I know I can do well. would you ever consider making videos for A level English lit?
I have a question, in relating to the idea that the witches are actually seeking revenge of the patriarchal society of the time, what question would be relevant to this? I’ve seen many practice questions like “explain how Shakespeare presents the witches”, if that question was to come up in the exam could my overall argument address this idea? Thank you for the video x
This video is awesome.... But just 10000 + views?? youtube's interface is pretty bad... I'll share the link among my college friends.. And yes, I actually got to the end of this, and can say that I didn't waste a second.. Sir, you've definitely changed my views
Mr Salles Teaches English yes and they’re very helpful thank you but I am aiming for 8/9 too and wondered if you’d be able to confine video into the main points and quotes with most to say ?
I have an exam tomorrow and apparently the question is related to "eerieness" which seemed like an unusual theme and I wasn't sure what main points to consider for tomorrow, I was wondering if you would be able to help out as I'd be really grateful :D
this video is by far the best english video i have ever seen, you mr salles have made me love english and macbeth (a book i despised) my opening my eyes - i cannot thank you enough :)
Anna Lepki That’s fantastic!
This is an absolute mindblower of a video! It's expanded my view of Shakespeare so much. The Witches' potential for showing dynamics of feminism and power are endless it makes my head question everything about the play; looking beyond what everyone already knows.
Thanks, I couldn't have written a better advert for my channel! I'm delighted it has got you so passionate about the play.
could I say another reason why he wrote the letter informing his wife about the encounter with the witches was because he acknowledges his wife's feminist views in this patriarchal society and because he loves her very much, he sees this as a way of her gaining the power she wanted? @@MrSallesTeachesEnglish
@@MalihaJussab Yes, a strong argument
Have my GCSEs exam tomorrow this has helped so much! Thanks:)
Coldest Baller thanks for the support baller👊🏿❤️
saaaaaaaame
@Yasir Ahmed no point bro
I've learned more in these 46 minutes than in the past 2 years of English lessons! This was so helpful
Thanks - spread the word!
A long video yesssss.... thank you!!! Loving the specific focus on "Grade 9"analysis :)
Yeah these are his best videos
I was trying to revise: had to pick key bits; but I am sure this video will be very helpful.
Excellent video. This is an in-depth analysis at it's finest. The way that the witches role is linked to the parallels between womens' role in a patriarchal society is giving me whole new respect for Shakespeare. So many layers. Thank you.
Thank you very much!
This is much needed, you're literally a saint!
Ha ha, not literally!
Perhaps the witches are simply a construct by Shakespeare to outline the ambition in certain characters and to spark their downfall. As well as this, if the witches were simply predicting the future, Lady Macbeth could be a witch that helps to achieve those predictions (she also is unnamed, similar to the witches)
Thank You so much! It took me three weeks to finish my full analysis of the witches watching a few minutes each day and it was worth every minute as I have learnt so much more about the Witches than in school! Thank you very much!!
A great way to revise!
Great video so far.Can you make a video on an analysis of macbeth on each scene like Mr bruff?But can you make a grade 9 analysis.
Got Paper 1 eng lit tomorrow. This has helped a lot. Thanks!
I watched this on 2x speed the evening before my exam! Best thing ever - Thank you so much!
This video puts a very interesting spin on the play, the more I look into the play the more links i see that reinforce this idea. This is a very original and solid argument to integrate into any witches question, and has helped me a lot. Thanks Mr Salles
WOW!!! thats way more than i ever imagined!! just one thing that i was thinking about though.. banquo said "last night", because it is, in fact, early in the morning (12 am). he says he cannot sleep because of the "cursed thoughts" plague him in his sleep. these thoughts being of the witches.
Good point!
I am in year 11 and my exams are in one weeks time and I was wondering what grade would you give this?
The witches are presented as potent supernatural creatures this is conveyed through their strong foreshadowing thoughts. This is highlighted through the use of a oxymoron “Fair is foul and foul is fair”. The term “fair” juxtaposes with the term “foul” , this could signify Macbeth as he was portrayed as a “valiant”, noble and intrepid character, yet these character traits unravels as he transform to a sombre and blood- thirsty tyrant. This indicates the foulness the witches were foreboding. Contrastingly, the character Malcolm veils as a callous and vile man as he deceive Macduff testing his honour. Unlike Macbeth, Malcolm only portrays himself as a malicious person only for the purpose of good, saving Scotland from the power-hungry monster Macbeth. This links to the witches as they stated “ foul is fair”. This could perhaps be a reference to Malcolm as he had to act like a malignant man but truly he is not. This implies that the witches are powerful women purely because they have the ability to visualise and see the future, they know what would happen to each character, their fates and destinies. This creates a ominous and eerie atmosphere for the Jacobean audience as they have been illustrated a vivid image, they can see the immense power the witches hold this would have left them in a state of utter disturbance. This is because during the Jacobean era witches were hags associated with the devil, the fact that the witches could foreshadow can happen to a character would have completely petrifying and would have captivated the audience in a effective way. Shakespeare’s intention was to indicate how the witches predictions of the two contrasting characters did come true and not everything appears to be what it seems. We see a compassionate hero fall into pure evilness and a character willing to sacrifice his goodness for others. This overall shows how the witches do appear strong as they knew all these things would happen in the end, alternatively one could argue that the weird sisters were warning that something horrendous would occur.
What do you think mr salles?
Sundus Mohamud what grade did you get?
I have made it to the end of the video, but I did cheat... in the sense that I put the video on 2x speed with subtitles - but I think I still learned just as much. Thank you.
Hecate is a woman. She's the goddess of witchcraft
This is amazing! So many essay features and different points or perspectives. Could you do similar things for A Christmas Carol or An Inspector Calls? Maybe character specific analysis for each?
Best thing about macbeth on TH-cam LOVE
This video is great so far. You deserve way more subs :)
Brilliant. Mr Sallis. Excellent perceptive and suggestive analysis. Steve Whitmill.
This was AMAZING!! Thank you so much!! PLEASE can you do more on Macbeth, long theme/ character analysis , they're so helpful!!
If I have time, I will.
Don't worry if you can't - thank you for replying!
Your whole series on the context of Macbeth has been brilliant thank you so much
Brillaint video, got many excellent point about the patriarchal society from this!
“I’ll not fight thee.” thank you for the insights.
Greetings from China, I watched a show called "sleep no more " which is primarily based on "Macmath," thank you for your insightful interpretations, in China, there is an old budda saying: what you think you become, it was Macbeth himself shaped his reality, not the witches. Thank you again for your wisdom.
Greetings from Swindon! I've only had 81 views from China in the last year, compared to 30,000 from Hong Kong. I think you are my first greeting from China - thank you. As no one is watching me in China, could you suggest a video I should make which would help students like you? I'll see if I can make it. I think your interpretation of Macbeth works really well.
Thank you so much! I was struggling with my essay on Macbeth and this just came up on my recommended, much appreciated :)
Dear Mr Salles,
Your work here is excellent and I feel that I really benefit from all of your in depth and thought out videos.
I have one request and it is just that sometimes I find your analysis hard to write about because you speak about it in colloquial language and therefore I don't feel that I can make it into a full well argued paragraph.
could you please put on the screen some sort of writing in which you make bullet points about the points you are making but in neat and sophisticated ways because I really want to be able to put your points to good use but I just struggle with forming sentences out of what you are saying even though I understand what you are saying.
I hope you don't take this as a bad thing but just something which I think might help some students as well as myself.
thanks again for all your time and effort.
Maya
It is great advice, but would take me a long time. My guides are written in formal language, so you can easily see how to write grade 9 essays.
really hope a question about supernatural / the witches comes up in this year's paper
You could say that through Macbeth's interaction with the witches, lady Macbeth gained power though him, as she had little power at the start, but then Macbeth told her about the witches and she started getting more powerful then after we see the witches for the final time, a little afterwards she loses power of herself and she dies, it's like the power lady Macbeth has, is being fed by the witches
Yes, you can argue that. But in that case, why do they want to destroy her?
Can you please make a grade 9 analysis just like this but for ‘Sign of Four’ and ‘An Inspector Calls please’
I already have several for An Inspector Calls. I don't teach The Sign of Four though, sorry.
Mr Salles Teaches English what about sign of four?
Thank you anywya for the amazing videos
Just wanted to say thank you for the this entire video, especially the point on Banquo with the 'I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters' quote- I used it in my exam and I feel really confident about it! :)
what grade did you get if you don't mind me asking?
This video is absolutely amazing! i made a quick paragraph on one point i found rally interesting, i was hoping if you can tell me a grade for it and where i can improve? Thank you !
Later on in the play, the power and influence the witches and Lady Macbeth have over Macbeth is expressed through a paradoxical chiasmus. Lady Macbeth soliloquises her desire to “hold, hold!”, deliberately foreshadowing Macbeth's final words following his mutual demise. Shakespeare carefully crafts the text in order for Macbeth to echo his “dearest” Lady Macbeth, connoting the influence she has over him, further explored with Lady Macbeth acting as a “spur” towards Macbeth's reckless ambition. However, alternatively one could infer that the influence Lady Macbeth has over Macbeth may suggest his psychological behaviour rather than being under the influence of the witches, therefore undermining their power over the future with Lady Macbeths influence over him potentially a greater underlying factor.
You have all the right ideas, but have gone overboard on the vocabulary and sentence length! So, it would get grade 7 no problem, but the examiner would not be certain enough about your meaning for grades 8 and 9 to be secure.
Thank you! I'm in year 8 and our teacher expects us to be on GCSE level! So you've been a massive help!
Supernatural was the question in the exam so this was very helpful thanks
At 28:56, I like this interpretation you gave, but can't help to feel this childish presence reinforces Jacobeans society. "Children" are small and delicate. At the time in shakespeare's contemporary audience most of the viewers were men. But juxtaposing this with the "childish" melody of the witches it almost gives a feel that they are not just physically but being metaphorically "looked down upon by society (by the audience)". the fact they are "child like" means the audience would have to look down at them more than a normal character, (they have to physically look down to see them.) Im not sure about you, but when i read that passage i thought it was quite soft sounding perhaps referring to how Shakespeare thought women were soft and delicate, he is almost mocking the power women strive for.
Yes, your interpretation works here - however only use quotation marks to quote from the text.
I have to work on a presentation on shakespear, I can't stop watching your videos, thank you it's so interresting
Fantastic. I imagine this is not in the UK. Good luck.
oh gosh I'm so scared, English lit at the end of this month! hoping for an 8 or 9 wish me luck. Mr Salles you have been amazing
Thank you
Gutted, too late to receive the language guide, guess I’ll just have to conjure myself one up 🧙🏼♀️🧙🏼♀️🧙🏼♀️
I was trying to write an essay on the witches and was totally stuck for high level ideas. This video was great, thank you
your video has made me see that I knew nothing about Macbeth. It's incredibly helpful! Thank you so much
Excellent! TY. I’m
Doing a Audio project playing Witch 2. This very helpful. Love it. How relevant today Women fighting the Patriarchy. Grateful to be a part of this expression. I got to the end of this.
ok so im year 11 right now and ve have been watching this and im sooo thankful ive been making note as u spoke and ive just realized ive wrote 10 whole pages the way i saw witches has changed and its made me requestion everything thank you for the help Mr salles better than having a tutor
Thank you very much!
Hello sir, is there a quote that you can provide to prove that Macbeth did remove his armour before the war, as i cant find a quote anywhere... Thank you!
I'm not sure either but I think that it might be the "disdaining fortune" as he's taunting death , maybe implying he wears no armour? Cant find anything myself
this video is incredible, opened me up to countless new interpretations. I was wondering if all of these ideas are your originals or if you take them from sources because they are out if this world?
A bit of both! I'm very glad you like them.
Love the video Sir! I was wondering if you would be able to mark an essay I wrote on Lady Macbeth. I used the extract and question from the specimen material. I understand if you don't have time but any help would be much appreciated. Thank you for your excellent videos!
To a certain extent Lady Macbeth is presented as powerful in the extract and the play as a whole, however this power is undermined by her desperation and the male characters in the play. Shakespeare constructs her to represent the majority of women in the Jacobean era and also shows that she is a victim of the patriarchal society. Lady Macbeth is presented as powerful in this extract when she demands the spirits to “unsex” her. The imperative verb of “unsex” suggests her power and strength: she is demanding evil spirits to take her femininity away despite knowing that she will go to hell. For a contemporary audience this would be deeply unsettling since many would be fearful of the supernatural and of being dammed. Lady Macbeth is willing to deal with the supernatural and so is seen as brave and powerful- characteristics shared by men and, in particular, soldiers. She can then be seen as a character that is going against the patriarchy, which would not occur in many plays at the time.She is further presented as powerful when she tells Macbeth to “look like the innocent flower. But be the serpent under’t”. The simile of “the innocent flower” can be interpreted as her mocking Macbeth’s feminine qualities- qualities which she appears to no longer have. This would be very dangerous for her as it could be dangerous to mock a warrior. However, she comments on hi masculine qualities of “being the serpent”. She is hence very manipulative and a powerful woman. The metaphor of “the serpent” is an allusion the biblical story where Adam and Eve get tempted by a serpent. A Jacobean audience would immediately understand the weight of such an allusion. It is clear she will be punished. Her fearless nature combined with manipulative skills presents her as powerful. Shakespeare structures the text to present her as powerful. The extract is very early on in the play and a female character to be given a soliloquy so early would be very strange. By giving her this soliloquy, she is presented as powerful; she would be listened to by the audience and would be centre stage. Many women would be subservient to men and not have this much influence. In addition, Macbeth sends her this letter despite knowing he will meet her soon. His dependency on his wife presents her as powerful.This power is subtly undermined in this extract and throughout the play. In the extract she keeps Duncan “under” her battlements. The preposition of under emphasises could be seen as her way of showing dominance. Alternatively, we can view this as her desperation of power that she cannot obtain by just means. This is echoed when at the end of the play, the audience hears “a cry of woman within”. This stage direction is what signifies her death. Lady Macbeth is killed off stage, which presents how powerless she really is and how, despite assisting in regicide, she still obtains no power because of one reason: she is a woman.Her weakness is further presented when Shakespeare writes Macbeth to completely undermine her power. She is told by Macbeth to be “innocent of the knowledge dearest Chuck” when she asks for more information. The word “dearest” could be Macbeth showing endearment to his wife, but most likely it represents his lack of respect for her. The adjective of “dear” is used several times by Macbeth when he addresses her and so presents how he sees her as inferior. The development of Lady Macbeth is a salient feature of the play as it presents the overwhelming power of the patriarchy. We are made to sympathise with her as she says “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t”, which shows her humanity. “Macbeth” can be interpreted as a feminine text as she is a woman who restricted from opportunities due to the society she lives in and so Shakespeare attempts to make the audience sympathise with her in order to promote change
Yes, I've read it at last. It is very good, and would probably get a grade 8, rather than a 9. Not all your paragraphs link, and the conclusion is slightly disconnected. I love the way you have absorbed lots of the ideas in my videos. I'll probably make you a video!
Ah thank you so much for the reply. I'm year 10 so hopefully I'll have enough time to improve before the exam!
Thanks a lot, these are some very interesting interpretations of the Witches in Macbeth. It is vital, however, to remember, that this is a contemporary reading. Shakespeare was not psychological - psychological realism only emerged around the end of 19th/beginning of the 20th century.
This play is closely knit with the Gunpowder Plot and the whole Guy-Fawkes-blowing-up-the-parliament thing. In Shakespeare's times, people believed that the plotters met on a Black Mass and aided by the Devil decided to find a way to overthrow King James I. Up until the beginning of the 17th century the witches have been presented as working individually with the exception of meeting up for a Sabbat, where they were thought to celebrate the Devil. Macbeth is the first play where the witches are known to congregate to plot and influence politics - that is why Shakespeare’s witches were so mindblowing in Shakespeare's time.
Also, the play isn't a feminist manifesto. The reason why the witches are female not male, is probably because of the significantly higher percentage of those accused of witchcraft being female (80-90%) as in Shakespeare’s time people believed that women had a predisposition to excessive emotion, basically that they are capable of great rage and envy etc. which, in turn, made them witches.
Applying modern readings to the times past is a fallacy. It does have many benefits,yes, and because of the richness of Shakespeare’s work it is possible, but before making any easy assumptions, I recommend you first look into the historical context of the work - Arden's annotated edition of Shakespeare's Macbeth is really good for example. :)
Thanks for your really helpful post. I was not aware that witches plotting individually was the presumed method of contact - certainly King James didn't think so in his Daemononlogy, and nor did the Salem withc trials which took place less than a generation later.
I am not sure we can dismiss a psychological or feminist interpretation just because these things didn't exist in Shakespeare's time. The vocabulary would be alien to him, ubt some of the ideas could easily resonate (or not).
I GOT TO THE END. '3 A STAR ESSAY'S IN ONE' ;)
Would it make sense to say that at the onset the first witch says "We three" where "We" and "three" are oxymoronic as "we" is a plural but "three" separates them.
Could it allude to the Trinity which the Puritan audience would obviously be aware of and because there are "three" of them but act like one body, they're like an anti-Trinity which demonstrates the full grasp of their supernatural evil.
No to the oxymoron, yes to the Trinity
@@MrSallesTeachesEnglishthank you sir.
if not oxymoron what language device would it be?
this video has seriously helped develop my knowledge of the play , and my views on the witches !! more content like this please :)
Sir, is it possible for you to do a little bit on A Christmas Carol?
This is the best English channel on TH-cam!
Thank you for such an in-depth yet brief analysis of Macbeth, I loved it and I'm certainly going to use your hints about witches and patriarchal society with my students for their research project. Thank you. P.S. I listened to the end ... and wanted to hear more!
Thank you so much
could the witches come up in the 2019 exam? I've started revising on: Macbeth, Frankenstein and Animal Farm, as these are the texts that I'll be tested on.
Yes, they could
Got to the end! Thank you so much! You help since lockdown 3 has been much appreciated and amazing. I can not thank you enough 🙏🏼
Thank you very much, and for watching it all!
14:19 i really love this context
beard symbolises the power of men in Jacobean patriarchal society
Finally made it till the end....fantastic work
Mr Salles I have a question. How does "peace! the charms wound up" link to king James when it is king James who encourages witch hunts and caused many witches to be burnt at stake?
your question already links them - so I would need a more detailed question to know what you are really asking
I used some of these ideas in a recent practice question i did and i got a 7, in the last mocs i only just scraped a 5, thank you thank you thank you!
fabulous video - wonderful perspective - a great introduction to the play.
my teacher told us that Macbeths hamartia is his loyalty to his wife, not ambition. he notified his wife about the encounter with the witches which revealed his wife's hamartia which is her ambition for her husband to succeed and take the throne
Yes, you can argue that. However, why bother writing to her unless he wanted her to start planning how to murder Duncan before he arrives? Also, he ditches her pretty much as soon as he becomes king. So, personally, I feel his hamartia is not his wife.
great video but i couldnt find evidence for when they say that macbeth goes to war without helmet and shield
Beautifully spoken words Looking forward to an education lost on schools
hey i was just wondering what would be the main theme of the three witches obviously appearance vs reality manipulation prophecy and maybe evilness but its very hard to find quotes for these themes
Great video once again cant thank you enough
My teacher told me today that you need to quote 50 percent from the extract and 50 percent from the novel as a whole in order to get top grades. Is this true? Or can i do 20 percent from the extract and the other 70 percent from the play as a whole?
No
This is a fantastic analysis. Is there a study guide still available up for grabs?
Not yet, sorry!
Extremely useful video surprisingly managed to get to the end. Thanks!
how can someone dislike this video
I have gotten to the end of the video and loved it very detailed - I know its late haha but have the 2 copies already been given out?
Well done! They have indeed already been claimed.
You could also link the idea of "tending on mortal thoughts" as a point for the witches not actually being supernatural but having a "strange intelligence" in that they can sense people's psyche and corrupt people into doing evil "deeds" by psychological exploitation.
Love your videos, really enhanced my love for Shakespeare and English literature as whole :)
Thanks, and your linking idea works really well. I hope you take A level.
I also thought your idea about the witches being products of a patriarchal society could link to the philosophical interpretation (based on the ideas of Locke ) in that the oppressive, male dominant society has shaped the tabula rasa of the witches (or Lady Macbeth) into being evil
@@tamarakarim3808 Nicely done, you can make that link
I have so many other ideas but I’m not going to comment and be annoying🤣 Perhaps I can email you some of my essays ?
@@tamarakarim3808 If you are happy for me to make a video of any, then please do - sallesdominic@gmail.com I can't promise to give your feedback though
Not all the attacks are against male characters (6:18). Lady Macduff is the only female who is killed in the play
could you do a video on full marks on the unseen poetry comparison question and poetry language techniques
Please do a character analysis on Macduff!
Maybe, but he won’t come up
@@MrSallesTeachesEnglish I was thinking he might, since he hasn't appeared. Who do you think it will be about this year?
sir can you please tell me how good this response is for analyzing unseen poetry?
How is Autumn presented in the poem?
The poem by Naomi Lazard entitled 'When autumn came' tells a horrendous story about Autumn which has brought destruction and sorrow by establishing its tyrannical rule over nature. The lyrical piece delves into the themes of brutality and power of nature over man.
Lazard skilfully employs a metaphoric verb in order to demonstrate that the Autumn is quite aggressive and brutal as the poem reads:'it stripped them down to the skin'. The fragment clearly highlights that Autumn is murderous and perhaps might imply its ruthlessness due to the fact that it is victimizing the trees. Moreover, the employment of the metaphoric verb 'stripped' possibly indicates the unbearable pain and misery that is caused by autumn to the trees and the use of the personified noun 'skin' makes the reader to have sympathy for the trees as 'skin' conjures up the connotation of fragility, thus exemplifying the vulnerability of the trees and that the autumns evil force is unstoppable.
Furthermore, the imagery of agony is evoked through the use of the hyperbolic verb to illustrate that Autumn has diminished any sort of hope or happiness. The birds 'were exiled from their song' and 'each voice torn out of its throat', thus highly suggesting that Autumn is quite dominant and it is quite devilish too- as it steals the voice of the birds.The hyperbolic verb 'exiled' indicates that Autumn wants to spread misery everywhere and also that it is merciless as it harms birds too. The noun 'song' which is sung by birds is usually amiable, sweet and relaxing and the fact that it is 'torn' out from the throat of the birds imply that Autumn is harsh.
A number of elements of structure and form add to the vivid portrayal of the theme of brutality. Firstly, Lazard successfully utilises caesura to depict the fear and fright caused by Autumn in the poet's mind that causes him to suddenly pause. Secondly, the enjambment emphasizes on the scary effects of autumn on nature to the reader and illustrates that the effects are terrifying as the poet himself lacks the control to suggest the intensity of fright.
Overall, the poet's peculiar presentation of the topic of Autumn makes it appear particularly frightening and innovative, alluding to the reader that nature punishes the world through its seasons like here through autumn. The poem sheds a new light on the theme of power of nature over the world making readers realise that nature is the most powerful and dominant force.
Sorry about the delay. It is very good, but the last two paragraphs need quotations.
What grade is it according to you?
sir what grade is it?
I don't think that Shakespeare was trying to say that King James became the king because of the witches intervention because Shakespeare deliberately calls them the weird sisters (weird meaning fate), perhaps Shakespeare is suggesting that it was going to happen anyway whether Macbeth had acted on the prophecies or not.
That is a logical answer.
One word:
Astounding!
Thank you so much, very helpful although I looked through scene 1 of macbeth but found no mention of macbeth throwing his shield away or being reckless in the first battle.
Yes, I noticed that later. He throws his sheild away at the end. However, the description of his fighting does suggest he is reckless.
Mr Salles Teaches English Ah ok thank you for replying! Love all your videos!
Thank you very much for the video!
I found your comments on Shakespeare possibly mocking king James really interesting; and have come across this idea in other places too, but I feel hesitant to write about it without understanding what motive Shakespeare has to mock King James when (as you pointed out) this would be a fairly dangerous move. Do you think he's just childishly making fun of the fact that James believed in witches?
Thanks again for all the help you've given me :D
What does it mean by King Macbeth shall sleep no more instead of just Macbeth?
this was fantastic. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Are there any more videos like this for each character in Macbeth? because I know you have videos for each character in inspector calls but I cant seem to find videos on Macbeth specific characters.
Thank you! Enjoyed your analysis.
thank you after watching your videos i jumped from a grade 3 to a 5
thank you SO much, i've gone from a 6 to a 9 using your videos! ur an absolute legend- I love English so much more now that I know I can do well. would you ever consider making videos for A level English lit?
Every year I say yes, and then don’t manage it!
I have a question, in relating to the idea that the witches are actually seeking revenge of the patriarchal society of the time, what question would be relevant to this? I’ve seen many practice questions like “explain how Shakespeare presents the witches”, if that question was to come up in the exam could my overall argument address this idea? Thank you for the video x
This video is awesome.... But just 10000 + views?? youtube's interface is pretty bad... I'll share the link among my college friends.. And yes, I actually got to the end of this, and can say that I didn't waste a second.. Sir, you've definitely changed my views
Hi could you please tell me if I use some of your points in my answer would it be plagiarism?
Not plagiarism
@@MrSallesTeachesEnglish thanks
Paper 2 tomorow, anyone?
edit: i really am fucked when i canna tell u the paper we even have tomorow
Untidy Echo *1
@@kylielawson3271 gcses have messed up my brain lol
would you be able to make more videos on macbeth but shortened because i can't watch a 45 min video
Yes, this is a long one for students who want grades 8 and 9. I have many short videos on Macbeth already - have you watched the ones on quotations?
Mr Salles Teaches English yes and they’re very helpful thank you but I am aiming for 8/9 too and wondered if you’d be able to confine video into the main points and quotes with most to say ?
whats the likelihood of the question being based on the witches? (paper 1, aqa)
Mr Sallis Since Macbeth has a name what about the Witches out of interest, do they have names?
They don’t seem to, even when they talk to each other as sister
Hi.
Is it necessary to revise macduff and duncan?
Yes I would say so because they might come up as a character question and if not, you can always link back to them in the play for more marks
Good luck everyone!
What version of Macbeth does this video utilize quotes and extracts from?
Got to the end
could you please do a video on pigeon english
I got to the end. Thank you for the video
I got to the end!- Probably a bit too late but worth a try lol. Cheers for this video, helped out a lot!
I have an exam tomorrow and apparently the question is related to "eerieness" which seemed like an unusual theme and I wasn't sure what main points to consider for tomorrow, I was wondering if you would be able to help out as I'd be really grateful :D
It is just another word for strange, so pretty much any strange event will count!
@@MrSallesTeachesEnglish so I should focus in the supernatural and the witches?
This is outstanding.,:-O:-) I know that Hurley Burly is a movie.;-O