Themes

Themes

1. good and evil

   • Macbeth has to choose between the two
   • The witches are an incarnation of evil and may be seen as representing the human nature of evil

2. trust and betrayl

   • Duncan trusts the wrong men with disasterous consequences
   • M trusts the witches and ultimately they destroy him

3. Actions and their consequences

   • Duncan is punished for his poor judgement
   • M wishes his action could be the end but he knows there will be consequences: there will be judegement in heaven
   • LM and M both suffer the consequences of their actions

4. Power and abuse of power

   • lust for power motivates M but he realises without security its not worth it
   • LM too realises she cannot enjoy her new positions 'without content'
   • when M damages his public image he becomes a tyrant and abuse his power