Macbeth Themes
The main themes in Macbeth are ambition, trust and deceit, supernatural intervention, and dynastic succession.
- The corrupting effects of ambition: Macbeth’s ambition leads him to the throne, but his paranoid obsession with keeping power ultimately leads to his downfall.
- Trust and deceit: The deceitful Macbeths deviously exploit the good and trusting natures of others to rise to power.
- Supernatural intervention: The presence of supernatural forces, specifically the mysterious witches, introduce complex questions about the nature of free will and man's capacity for evil.
- Dynastic succession: The royal lines referenced in Macbeth are connected to King James I, who ruled when Shakespeare wrote the play.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: The Corrupting Effects of Ambition
In his soliloquy at the beginning of act 1, scene 7, Macbeth admits to himself that he has no good reason to murder Duncan. If the king had been oppressive or incompetent, there might have been a patriotic argument for killing and replacing him to benefit Scotland, but Macbeth has no reason to think that he will be a better king than Duncan; indeed, he quickly proves to be much worse.
It is clear from his first entrance that Macbeth is ambitious...
(Read more)Themes: Trust and Deceit
The dialogue between Malcolm and Macduff in act 4, scene 3 is rather long and is often cut in performance. Read in full, however, the conversation is a masterly study in the initial manoeuvers between two men, each of whom has every reason not to trust the other. Malcolm tells a plethora of outrageous lies to see how Macduff will react and only begins to trust his fellow countryman after observing Macduff’s genuine horror and despair at the...
(Read more)Themes: Supernatural Intervention in Human Affairs
The references to Christianity in Macbeth are few and superficial. Almost as an afterthought, Macbeth mentions that by killing the king he has forfeited his soul “to the common enemy of man.” Other supernatural influences abound, however, and their origin is always mysterious. Whereas Old King Hamlet’s ghost from Shakespeare’s Hamletis very precise about how and why he has returned to earth, Banquo’s ghost does not even speak. The source of...
(Read more)Themes: Dynastic Succession
In act 1, scene 4, Duncan makes the succession clear when he names Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland. Primogeniture, the system by which the eldest son of the king becomes the next king, is not automatic in this society, and if Malcolm had been unsuited to rule, Duncan could have chosen another successor, such as Macbeth.
Macbeth has no children and neither has Malcolm. The witches make it clear more than once that the eventual heir to the throne...
(Read more)Themes: Ambition
In Macbeth, ambition is a central theme that drives the play's action and leads to the downfall of its main characters. Macbeth's ambition is ignited by the witches' prophecy that he will become king, and it is further fueled by Lady Macbeth's encouragement. This unchecked ambition ultimately leads to a series of tragic events, including murder, madness, and death. Shakespeare explores the destructive nature of ambition and its ability to corrupt...
(Read more)Themes: Guilt
Guilt is a central theme in Shakespeare's Macbeth, manifesting as a driving force that shapes the characters' actions and mental states. The play explores how guilt affects both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, leading to their ultimate downfall. Through vivid imagery and dramatic encounters, Shakespeare illustrates the pervasive and destructive nature of guilt.
In Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth's guilt is vividly portrayed during the banquet scene when he sees...
(Read more)Themes: Fate
The theme of fate in Macbethexplores the tension between destiny and free will. Shakespeare presents fate as a powerful force that influences the characters' actions, yet he also emphasizes the role of personal choice. The witches' prophecies spark Macbeth's ambition, suggesting a predetermined path. However, Macbeth's decisions reveal his exercise of free will, leading to his tragic downfall. The play examines how belief in fate can drive...
(Read more)Themes: Appearance vs. Reality
In Macbeth, the theme of appearance versus reality is central to the play's narrative. Characters and events often present a deceptive facade, masking darker truths. This theme is introduced by the witches' paradoxical phrase, "fair is foul, and foul is fair," suggesting that what seems good is actually bad, and vice versa. Throughout the play, Macbeth and other characters grapple with the difference between how things appear and their true...
(Read more)Themes: Prophecy
In Macbeth, prophecy is a central theme that drives the plot and influences the characters' actions. The prophecies given by the Three Witches set Macbeth on a path of ambition and destruction. These supernatural predictions create a sense of inevitability and fate, yet they also reveal the characters' free will and moral choices. The prophecies are both a catalyst for Macbeth's rise to power and a harbinger of his downfall, illustrating the...
(Read more)Themes: Good vs. Evil
In Macbeth, the theme of good versus evil is central, depicted through the internal and external struggles of characters. Macbeth, initially portrayed as valiant and honorable, becomes consumed by ambition and the influence of the witches and Lady Macbeth, leading to his moral downfall. Despite the dominance of evil throughout the play, symbolized by the witches and Macbeth's tyrannical reign, good ultimately prevails with Malcolm's rightful...
(Read more)Themes: Supernatural
The theme of the supernatural is a central element in Macbeth, influencing the characters and the plot. The supernatural elements in the play include the three witches, Banquo's ghost, and the apparitions. These elements create a sense of foreboding and highlight the unnatural events that occur as a result of Macbeth's ambition and treachery.
The witches are the most prominent supernatural figures in the play. They set the plot in motion by...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
What does the quote "Two truths are told, as happy prologues to the swelling act of imperial theme. I thank you, gentlemen" from Act 1, Scene 3 of Macbeth mean?
Macbeth metaphorically compares the favorable prophecies to elements of a drama. The "two truths" are his thaneships of Glamis and Cawdor, which he likens to "happy prologues" or introductions to plays. These metaphorical prologues lead to the "swelling act of imperial theme," which represents his ascension to the throne. In Macbeth's metaphor, attaining the Scottish throne and becoming king is the final act of the play.
How does Shakespeare present the theme of madness in Macbeth? What would different audiences think?
Shakespeare presents the theme of madness in the play Macbeth as a direct result of overstepping natural order and the laws of humanity. While audiences in the early 1600s were more superstitious and would have likely believed in the dark magic of witches, audiences today are better prepared to examine the complexities of human psychological functions.
What are three allusions in Macbeth and their corresponding themes?
Three significant allusions in Macbeth include: Neptune's ocean, which highlights the theme of inescapable guilt, as Macbeth wonders if an entire ocean could cleanse his bloodied hands. The Medusa allusion, used by Macduff, emphasizes the horror of Duncan's murder, likening it to a gaze that petrifies. Lastly, Bellona's bridegroom underscores Macbeth's prowess in battle, contrasting his battlefield valor with his moral struggles, reflecting themes of masculinity and treachery.
What does the Doctor's "Foul whisperings..." speech echo in Act 5 of Macbeth, and what does Macbeth recognize fitting with the "fair is foul" theme?
The Doctor's "Foul whisperings..." speech reflects Lady Macbeth's guilt-driven sleepwalking, echoing the "fair is foul" theme by showing her "fair" ambition leads to "foul" consequences. Macbeth's realization of Birnam Wood moving towards Dunsinane further embodies this theme. His overconfidence in the witches' prophecy blinds him to the military tactic used by the English army, demonstrating how his perceived "fair" security becomes his "foul" downfall.
What is the theme of Act 4 in The Tragedy of Macbeth?
Act 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth explores themes of unchecked ambition, the influence of the supernatural, and tyranny. Macbeth's complete transformation into a tyrant is driven by his belief in the witches' prophecies, leading him to commit senseless acts of violence, such as the murder of Macduff's family. His loyalty shifts from Scotland to the supernatural forces he believes guide him, prompting Malcolm and Macduff to recognize the need to overthrow him.
How is the theme of death explored in Macbeth?
The theme of death in Macbeth is explored through pervasive imagery and significant character deaths. From the brutal battles in Act 1 to Macbeth's beheading, death is ever-present. Lady Macbeth's probable suicide is pivotal, illustrating the consuming power of guilt and prompting Macbeth's reflection on life's futility. Her death signifies the collapse of their ambitions and leads to Macbeth's eventual downfall.
How does Shakespeare's Macbeth explore universal themes through its characters, language, and techniques?
Are there any sites with full annotations of Macbeth, including themes, motifs, literary devices, characterization, and symbols?
What theme is shared between Shakespeare's Macbeth and Robert Frost's "Out, Out"?
A shared theme between Shakespeare's Macbeth and Robert Frost's "Out, Out" is the inevitability of life continuing after death. In "Out, Out," the boy's family resumes their lives after his tragic accident, reflecting the harsh reality that life goes on. Similarly, in Macbeth, Macbeth reacts to his wife's death with a pragmatic focus on the impending battle, illustrating that life’s demands persist despite personal loss.
What are some motifs and symbols in Macbeth that support the themes?
One of the big themes in Macbeth is the theme of guilt, and this theme is represented by various motifs, or symbols, including bloody hands and ghosts. Another big theme in Macbeth is the theme of violence, and this theme is represented by symbols like floating daggers and rivers of blood.
Three morals in Shakespeare's Macbeth
Three morals in Shakespeare's Macbeth include the corrupting power of unchecked ambition, the consequences of moral and ethical corruption, and the inevitability of guilt. Ambition drives Macbeth to commit regicide and other atrocities, leading to his downfall. The play also illustrates how moral corruption can spread and affect others, while guilt haunts both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, ultimately contributing to their demise.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
