What are the themes in Act 1 of Macbeth?

In Act 1, Scene 2, the importance of honor emerges as a theme. Macbeth is hailed as a noble warrior, and Duncan bestows an additional title of honor on him: Thane of Cawdor. The current Thane of Cawdor has proven to be a traitor and will be executed. Disloyalty is not tolerated and the king values men who stand loyal to the crown. This theme will ironically run through the play as Duncan has been greatly mistaken to trust Macbeth's sense of honor and loyalty.

In Act 1, Scene 5 and again in Scene 7, another theme emerges: the stereotypical influences of gender roles. After reading Macbeth's letter in Scene 5, Lady Macbeth begs for the power to overcome her traditionally weaker femininity:

Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty. (I.v.45-48)

Lady Macbeth wishes to be "unsexed," or to have her femininity removed from her so that she can instead be filled with cruelty. She goes on to beg that feelings of regret be blocked from her so that she can help her husband accomplish his greatest ambitions.

Later in Scene 7, she plays on Macbeth's fears of not being viewed as masculine in order to sway his thoughts:

What beast was ’t, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would
Be so much more the man. (I.vii.52-56)

If he wants to be a man, he will do as his wife commands (which is pretty ironic in itself). She even summons up startlingly violent images which break from expected maternal roles to further show her own strength as a woman:

How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me.
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you
Have done to this. (I.vii.60-64)

Certainly this is done to make clear to Macbeth that she is not a member of the weaker sex and that he therefore needs to prove his own strength by being equally willing to commit violent acts. This is another theme which will carry through the play with some interesting contrasts in the expectations of masculinity noted between Macbeth and Macduff.

What are the themes in Act 1 of Macbeth?

In Act I, Shakespeare introduces a number of key themes. Firstly, through the witches, he introduces the theme of the supernatural. This is important because it sets the tone for the rest of the play. The use of magic, for instance, creates a mysterious feel for the reader.

The line "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" adds to this supernatural feel and also introduces another key theme—deception. So, right from Act I, the reader is prepared to understand that not everything is quite as it seems in this story. This theme is also important in Scenes 6 and 7 when Macbeth is preparing to murder King Duncan.

Finally, the theme of loyalty is also significant in the first Act. As we see from the descriptions of Macbeth on the battlefield, he appears to be an extremely loyal and dedicated servant of King Duncan. But, as the act unfolds, we realize that his loyalty is questionable. Again, this feeds into the theme of deception and also establishes the theme of ambition.

What are the themes in Act 1 of Macbeth?

Here are the main themes with supporting quotes from Act I of Macbeth:

• Ambition can subvert reason

“Thou wouldst be great; art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.”–Act I, Scene 5

• When supernatural powers represent evil, they should be ignored.

“But ‘tis strange! And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence.”–Act I, Scene 3

• Appearances do not always reflect reality.

“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.”–Act I, Scene 4

• Despite prophecies of the future, people are responsible for their own actions.

“If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate.”–Act I, Scene 3

What is the theme of Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 2?

Act I, scene ii, of Macbeth takes place near a battlefield.  King Duncan is hearing reports about what has happened, and mostly hearing about the great success of his general, Macbeth.  The captain who has come to report is crediting Scotland's win to Macbeth and Banquo, but even more specifically to Macbeth, who was a force of power on the battlefield, saying he "memorized another Golgotha":

Sergeant: ...so they
Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,
Or memorise another Golgotha, (I.ii)

This is a biblical reference which means he made the battlefield bloody from the enemy soldiers.  The group assembled also discusses the traitor, the Thane of Cawdor, and Duncan orders this man's immediate execution.

There are a few themes underlying the speeches in this passage.  Based on the battlefield description, the idea of power, both in physical strength and in determination, is both important to reach a goal and capable of great damage.  Also, the reference to the Thane of Cawdor, brings up the theme of loyalty and trust.  This was supposed to be a loyal servant to the king, and his execution for treason has just been ordered - can we trust anyone?  Is anyone loyal?  It would seem at this point that Macbeth is, but appearances can be deceiving.

What is the theme of Act 1, Scene 4 in Macbeth?

There's a good and pretty brief summary of that scene found in the enotes study guide to Macbeth (see the Summary and Analysis section):
http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/29404

You could also put it this way: Duncan names Malcolm as his heir, and this means that Macbeth will have to kill him for the prophecy to come true.

Greg

How does Act 1, Scene 6 of Macbeth reflect the play's dominant themes?

Betrayal and appearance vs. reality both show up in this scene.  Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to betray King Duncan by killing him even though we discover Duncan has been only gracious to Macbeth and is his kinsman.  Lady Macbeth flatters the King excessively with her tongue while all the while plotting his death.  She appears gracious but is actually vicious.

How does Act 1, Scene 6 of Macbeth reflect the play's dominant themes?

Deceptionis a dominant theme and it can be seen in this scene especially in the graciousness of Lady Macbeth, as hostess, toward Duncan, her guest.  She hides her true feelings and plans for Duncan behind a false front of being the good hostess.  Deception can be seen in a smaller way in the way Banquo notes the martins are building nests around the castle and he takes that as a sign that there is a good air about the castle.  Of course, that castle's air is anything but good with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth there.

What is the major theme of Act 2 in Macbeth?

One could argue that the major theme of act 2 is the danger of ambition. Ambition, like money, has the remarkable power to make people do things they don't really want or need to do. And that's what happens here in relation to Macbeth.

Showered with honors and secure in the love of his king, Macbeth doesn't need to kill Duncan, the man he's previously served with such loyalty and distinction. And yet in act 2, that's precisely what he does. Why? Because his soul has become corrupted by ambition. In presenting Macbeth with their prophecies, the Weird Sisters planted the demon seed of ambition in his mind, and it has now blossomed into a poisonous weed that, from now on, will determine his every course of action.

That's not to say that ambition is given to us in act 2 as necessarily a bad thing. It's rather the nature of that ambition and how it can drive us to commit unspeakable acts. Macbeth is already an ambitious man to begin with, but the difference is that such ambition was always exercised within existing legal bounds. In short, it was always kept in check.

Such ambitions as Macbeth had were recognizably of this earth, and so didn't require him to transgress the bounds of what is considered acceptable. But the ambition planted in Macbeth's mind by the three witches is supernatural; it comes from a much darker place. It therefore attacks Macbeth's soul instead of emanating from it. And the consequences for Macbeth, and for the people of Scotland as a whole, will be disastrous.

What is the major theme of Act 2 in Macbeth?

What is the major theme of Act 2 in Macbeth?

Act II of Macbeth is all about the murder of Duncan. There is talk of the witches; there is obvious treachery; the natural order is distorted; things are definitely not what they seem and over all the battle between good and evil rages on.

Macbeth's ambition and that of Lady Macbeth drive all these forces due to their obsession with power. It is therefore ambition that is prevalent in  this particular act and to a lesser extent the effects of guilt.

 it does not require much for Macbeth to embrace the weird sisters' vision of him as the ruler of all Scotland.

After Duncan's murder, before he has had time to contemplate his future, Macbeth begins to feel guilt:

Here's the smell of the blood still

He does hear a 'voice ' commanding him to 

sleep no more

and he is troubled by feelings of guilt

Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou/ couldst!

However, rather than withdrawing, he is driven to commit more murders to ease the feelings and give him more strength after his initial overwhelming remorse.

There is a significant change in his relationship with his wife. Previously, he was unable to achieve without her encouragement - even to the point of apparent cowardice -  whereas as this act progresses he becomes increasingly more independent and will begin to act alone as his personal gratification and his own ambitious vision become more real to him.  

The murders have a different effect on Lady Macbeth which is only evident later. At this point, she is still working towards a common goal and feeding her ambitious nature:

wash this filthy witness from your hand

At this point,Macbeth still relies heavily on her vision of their future and his ambition is only vivid whilst she drives him.  

Lady Macbeth returns the daggers and stains her hands with Duncan’s blood.

Duncan's sons recognize that someone with overriding ambition was prepared to take it so far as to actually kill the king  and know that they are not safe.

This murderous shaft that’s shot/Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way/Is to avoid the aim.

Their decision to leave unfortunately gives Macbeth the opportunity to lay blame at their instance.

Significantly, Macbeth, rather than attend the funeral, goes to his castle to be crowned. The body of Duncan still haunts him but the reader cannot be certain whether this is because he is overwhelmed by what he did or afraid that his committment to his purpose will be compromised.

What themes develop in Act 2, scenes 1 and 2 of Macbeth?

Act 2, scenes 1 and 2 offer a complex and in-depth look at the workings of a murderous couple.  They show the intricacies of guilt and remorse through Macbeth's reaction to his own deeds, as well as the power-hungriness of Lady Macbeth.  Many themes emerge in this section of the play but here I will focus on the two most notable messages that we can gather from this section: 1. Ambition can change one's character immensely, corrupting the inherent goodness in the individual.  2. One's actions are one's own; you cannot escape the misdeeds that you commit.  

These themes are largely evidenced by a set of motifs that underly the writing in this section: sleep, hands, and blood.  At first, in Act 2, scene 1 Macbeth is conflicted and unsure of his plan to kill the king.  He is overwhelmed by a vision of a dagger that seems to appear from nowhere.  However, as the scene continues he becomes ready to take action to gain the power that he has been promised by the witches.  During this section of the play, the dagger that he envisions turns bloody and signifies the violence that is impending.  Moreover, in the next scene when the murder has been completed, Macbeth struggles with his actions and the ownership that he must take over what he has done, referencing his "hangman's hands" which "great Neptune's ocean" cannot clean from blood.  The guilt that Macbeth feels is so overwhelming that he repeatedly references his own loss of sleep for what he has done.  In contrast, Lady Macbeth serves as an example of someone who feels little remorse for the deed and even returns to the crime to smear blood on the innocent guards.  At the end of the scene she exclaims: "A little water clears us of this deed."  This is in direct contrast to Macbeth's remorse, as his last line is "To know my deed 'twere best not know myself."  From this contrast we can see themes of ambition and guilt emerge and begin to evolve throughout the remainder of the play. 

What is the theme in Macbeth, act 2, scene 2?

That depends on which theme you choose. Themes are the central topics the texts deal with (not limited, as many believe, to just one). In Macbeth, we can examine the theme of how absolute power leads to absolute corruption; how the drive for power can change a man from loyal and honorable to a snake in the grass; or even what it means to be a man. There may be more (I'm thinking of the effect of evil on mental health, here). So first, choose the theme you want to discuss. 

Next, go through the scene in question and find examples that comment on that theme. For example, if we go with the effect of evil/greed on mental health, we might pull out the fact that even the "tough" Lady Macbeth, who goes into Duncan's chamber first to prep the scene for her murdering husband, comes out and admits, "Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done't."

From this example, you think about what it tells us about the theme. Lady Macbeth, who has said that she would dash her own babies' brains out before she'd renege on the promise her husband has made to kill Duncan before she'd back out (and she continues, even in this scene, to marvel at how much evil she can do and how little she feels about it, suggesting she's a bit of a sociopath), cannot cut Duncan's throat because he looks too much like her own dad. Even her evil plans have limits, it seems, but this doesn't stop her from pushing her thane husband to commit the deed.

Then Macbeth commits the deed and tells his wife. They're both immediately on edge, a bit freaked out: "Didst thou not hear a noise?" Lady Macbeth responds, "I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did you not speak?" We can easily see that they're already cracking a bit. 

Go on through the scene, selecting examples of the theme you choose, then explain what those examples expand on the theme. 

What is the theme of Act 4 in The Tragedy of Macbeth?

Act 4 is where the forces of the supernatural completely take hold of Macbeth's fevered imagination. Up until this point in the play, there was something perfectly natural—if utterly ruthless—about Macbeth's treacherous actions. But now that he's on the throne, darkness has entered his soul, turning him into a cold-blooded killer. Act 4 marks the transition between Macbeth the (overly) ambitious monarch and Macbeth the bloodthirsty tyrant completely in thrall to the Weird Sisters' prophecies.

In his new role of sadistic despot, Macbeth orders the brutal murder of Macduff's family in scene 2. There's no rhyme or reason to this outrage; it's a gratuitous act of cruelty on Macbeth's part. One can't even imagine Lady Macbeth getting involved in such mindless slaughter. Macbeth's cruelty can only be justified, if at all, on purely supernatural grounds. The forces of darkness have commanded him—or so he thinks—to fulfill his destiny as set out in the witches' prophecies. That is all that matters now.

Whatever prior restraints may have existed to hold Macbeth in check have now gone completely. As Malcolm and Macduff both realize in scene 3, Macbeth no longer has any loyalty to Scotland. His loyalty is to a higher power—or a lower power, depending on how one looks at it. That's what makes him such a dangerous tyrant and that's why he needs to be removed as soon as possible. Macbeth has taken his stand with the forces of darkness, and so his fellow countrymen must likewise rally to the forces of light.

What is the theme of Act 4 in The Tragedy of Macbeth?

One theme of Act IV is deception, the idea that appearances can be deceiving. In scene 1, the Weird Sisters seem to offer Macbeth some assurance that he will be safe indefinitely because they tell him that

"none of woman born / Shall harm [him]" and, further, that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him." 

However, rather than assurances of safety, these are really just confusingly and mysteriously-worded statements of fact. The Sisters intend to deceive Macbeth in order to make him feel "secure," as Hecate previously said, and thus he will become overconfident and careless. 

In scene 3, Malcolm purposely portrays himself as the most excessive, morally perverted contender for the throne in order to test Macduff's honesty.  He fears that Macbeth has sent Macduff to lure him home so that Macbeth can kill him.  As long as Macduff continues to protest and assure Malcolm that he is still a better choice than Macbeth, Malcolm doubts his sincerity; however, when Macduff finally declares that Malcolm is not only unfit to rule, but unfit to live, Malcolm knows that Macduff is honest, and he can drop the ruse.  However, Malcolm deceives Macduff in order to test him, and thus this scene also supports the theme of deception.