Macbeth

Macbeth

1. Supernatural

   • The witches are the archetypal supernatural beings.
   • The trochaic tetrameter in act one scene one alludes to chants, spells and curses.
     • Macbeth's dialogue throughout the play often follows the poetic format of that of the witches.
       • This alludes to the hold that the witches have on Macbeth's psyche.
     • 'fair is foul and foul is fair'

2. Ambition

   • Macbeths downfall.
   • After he has everything that he strived for in terms of being king, he has no ultimate goal and therefore begins his demise into lunacy.
     • Once Macbeth becomes king, his relationship with Lady Macbeth deteriorates.
   • I have no spur /To prick the sides of my intent, but only /Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself /And falls on the other.

3. Revenge

   • 'Blood will have blood'
   • Contrasted with ideas of justice being done

4. Fates and free will

   • Macbeth may be fated to be king, but he decides all on his own that he will murder Duncan in order to obtain the crown. His actions suggest that fate may be predetermined, but free will determines how a people reach their destinies.
   • Did the witches make him do the actions or did he free willingly commit them?

5. Gender roles

   • The witches gender roles are ambiguous.
     • 'You should be women, / And yet your beards forbid me to interpret / That you are so'
   • Lady Macbeth is the dominant one in the relationship.
   • Lady Macbeth wishes to have male characteristics.