Themes in Macbeth

Themes in Macbeth

1. Supernatural

   • Prediction of the future was supernatural. These predictions gave off the theme of good vs evil because predictions can be like a "genie in a bottle" you never know where it will take you to whether good or bad. In the book the predictions could have been true but in a way where killing is involved and he waited for time to take its place., resulting in something good.
   • Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seeing things were supernatural. Macbeth saw the soldiers who fought with him in the battle of Act one and touched them at the same time while communicating,. This was crazy supernatural because they were a ghost, him seeing the unseen witches was crazy supernatural too; know one else has seen them. Lady Macbeth saw the ghost children within the shack and the un-seen witches.
   • The sleepless nights for both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. I say sleepless nights because being uncontrollably awake, there must be some supernatural powers going on, which were the witches. I believe the sleepless nights affected both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in a way that filled their guilt because of Lady Macbeth threated to kill a child for her own benefits as well as witnessing the death of Macduff's children. Her stay awake was a representation of the children not being able to open his or her eyes and her eyes being open represents the children and their life that they never got to see or live. Once her eyes are closed she relives the pain and suffering. Macbeth eyes being open was a representation of him killing King Duncan. King Duncan never had a peaceful night sleep so neither should Macbeth, that's why he shall sleep no more. The theme of both stories was regret and guilt.

2. Fear

   • Lady Macbeth was scared of Macbeth's plan to kill Macduff because she was already feeling the pain and discomfort over his children's death and feared the outcome of his actions and how it will work out for her.
   • When Macbeth came across the witches for their prophecy once again they tell him to beware of MacDuff, no man shall harm you unless he is not born from women and he won't die until the forest meets the castle. He showed no fear because the two last prophecies seemed impossible. (Forest cant move and what man is not born of women?)
     • Even though those two prophecies had seemed too insane to be true Macbeth did show fear towards the "possible arrival" of Macduff because he did not want to lose the title to the throne, with also having the fear of dying. Even if he was known for his bravery, Macduff being in the prophecies was something to be concerned about
   • Macbeth feared to lose the honor of being king because Banquo was suspicious of the murder of King Duncan because he was present when the prophecies were told and heard the witches say Macbeth would be king. This resulted in him murdering Banquo and living a lie soon to haunt him later on.

3. Madness

   • The sleepless nights and terrible pain Lady Macbeth felt after Macbeth slaughtered Macduff's children lead her to commit suicide.
   • People thought Macbeth was turning mad because of the notices Duncan's dead body and started to get scared acting in a strange way while at the grand dinner. In a way Macbeth showed some sign of madness in everyone's eyes because starting talking to himself and hiding behind the corners.
   • Macbeth was "Mad" himself if the killing was always an option all because of life no matter who it was. Even his wife died he showed little sadness and still got set on killing for the throne. His secret could have been kept in multiple ways but he chooses this way instead, his actions come off as crazy and not normal.

4. Prophecy

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   • Prophecies were also used when Lady Macbeth when she encountered the witches after the grief of the lost children who were killed and her own grief for threatening her own child whether having one or not.
   • Prophecies were used in Macbeth because when Macbeth encountered the witches with Banquo they mentioned how their future would turn ou to be in the future of him being the Thane of Cawdor, the king of Scotland and the Thane of Glamis. As well as Banquo having both his sons as kings. These witches had informational power over both of them, for they knew there future.
   • When Macbeth came across the witches for their prophecies once again they stated beware of MacDuff, no man shall harm you unless he is not born from women and he won't die until the forest meets the castle. At this point, because he searched for the witches as a way of the guidance after finding out about his wife's death, The outcome was bound the get worse because its almost as if whoever sees the witches dies.
     • Strange that he had doubt from those new three prophecies but the other ones he believed and they did end up being true. In his case, Macbeth got affected internally "in denial".