Macbeth

Macbeth

1. power

2. Ambition

   • Macbeth's hamartia
   • "two truths are told As happy prologues to the swelling act Of th'imperial theme" Act 1 Scene 3
     • Macbeth speaks these lines as he realises that the witches prophecy (to become thane of cawdor) has come true. He starts to wonder whether the prophecy about him becoming king will come true. The eagerness in which he comes to this idea suggests he might find the possibility of this appealing, although he realises he would have to commit a terrible act for this to come true
       • These lines hint at macbeth's ambition and foreshadow his actions later in the play although at this point he seems to refuse to consider acting upon it

3. Kingship

4. Guilt

   • "Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold Thou hast no speculation in those eyes" Act 3 Scene 4
     • Macbeth speaks this line then Banquo's ghost appears to him at the banquet. Macbeth's vision of the ghost reveals his guilt over ordering the murder of Banquo and his young son (fleance) His sense of guilt is so powerful that he loses his sense of reality and cannot be sure whether he is having a vision or not.
       • He speaks these lines in order to try and reassure himself that Banquo is truly dead. In doing so, macbeth reveals that his tormented consciousness is leading him to lose his grip on sanity

5. Witchcraft

   • “Look into the seeds of time, say which grain will grow and which will not…” Act 1 Scene 3
     • Poetically speaks,of a comparison of ‘seeds’ with people, prospers that the witches indicate to him; seeing as they have such discerning power. - A metaphor of comparison of “seeds & grains” 2 kings & future kings.

6. Deception

7. Death

   • "There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth for the present." Act 3 Scene 4
     • Macbeth is saying that Banquo is dead and fleance who has fled will in time get deserves but can do nothing to macbeth now.
       • With every death macbeth becomes more and more ruthless, he hasn't even let it set in the he just ordered the murder of another of his friends

8. supernatural

9. Patriotism