THEMES IN MACBETH

THEMES IN MACBETH

1. POWER/AMBITION

   • Macbeth
     • Has the ambition to become/stay king by any means necessary.
     • Has power when he becomes king.
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Has the ambition to become Queen by any means necessary.
     • Has power over Macbeth in the first few scenes as she tells him to kill King Duncan.
     • Has power when she becomes Queen.
   • Macduff
     • Has the ambition to kill Macbeth after he kills his family.
     • Has the ambition to stick to the divine right of kings.
   • Three Witches
     • Have the power to tell the future.

2. GUILT

   • Macbeth
     • Feels guilty about killing Banquo.
     • Feels guilty about having thoughts about killing King Duncan.
     • Feels guilty after killing King Duncan
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Feels guilty about killing King Duncan.
   • Macduff
     • Feels guilty about not being around his family to protect them when they were murdered.
     • Feels guilty about not being able to defend King Duncan when he was murdered.

3. SUPERNATURAL

   • Three Witches
     • They can tell the future.
   • Macbeth
     • Sees dagger floating in front of him when he goes to kill King Duncan.
     • Sees Banquo's ghost at banquet.
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Calls upon spirits to make her cruel and without remorse.

4. LOYALTY

   • Macbeth
     • Macbeth is at first loyal to King Duncan.
     • Soon turns against King Duncan for personal ambitions.
     • Doesn't stay loyal to divine right of kings.
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Doesn't stay loyal to King Duncan.
     • Doesn't stay loyal to divine right of kings.
     • Doesn't stay loyal to the stereotype of a Jacobean woman.
   • Macduff
     • Stays loyal to divine right of kings,
     • Stays loyal to King Duncan.
     • Isn't loyal towards Macbeth.
   • Banquo
     • Stays loyal to King Duncan.
     • Doubts Macbeth but still stays loyal to him as King.
   • Malcolm
     • Doesn't stay loyal to the people and flees to England.
     • Returns to Scotland and becomes loyal to the people again.
   • Donalbain
     • Doesn't stay loyal to the people and flees to Ireland.
     • He never returns to Scotland.