Macbeth Themes_2

Macbeth Themes_2

1. The super natural

   • Throughout the play many of the main events happen due to the supernatural.
     • The Witches (The weird sisters)
       • The reason that Macbeth even entertains the idea of murder is due to the Weird sister's prophecies.
         • Witches to Macbeth: "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thank of Cawdor!/ All hail Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter." (Act 1 sc. 3)
           • Banquo after the first prophecy comes true: "What, can the devil speak true?" (act 1 sc 3)
         • The same prophecies also cause Macbeth to have Banquo murdered, as well as believe himself unkillable for a period of time.
     • Appirations, Dreams, and Nature
       • Macbeth see several apperations: The dagger pointing him to the murder of Duncan, the Ghost of Banquo after his dimise on Macbeths orders and of course the Weird sisters themselves. He is also unable to say "amen" after commiting the act of murder, unable to connect to God.
       • Lady Macbeth is unable to be at peace after the murder. She is unable to rest and still believes that her hands are covered in blood.
       • Nature itself revolts against the murder of Duncan.
         • "A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd." (Act 2 sc 4)
           • This shows that like Macbeth and Duncan, something lower killed something higher in an un-natural turn of events.

2. Ambition and Temptation

3. Gender

   • The theme of Gender is evident through out the play, with several different characters being affected by it.
     • Lady Macbeth and the Witches defy their gender expectations by being as cruel as men are often portrayed.
       • Hecate: " He shall spurn fate, scorn death and bear his hopes 'bove wisdoms grace..."(Act 2 sc. 5)
     • Lady Macbeth makes fun of Macbeth, taunting his masculinity to make him act and kill Duncan
       • Lady Macbeth: "And, to be more than what you were, you wouold Be so much more the man." (Act 1. sc. 7)
     • Lady Macbeth believes that she must become more masculine in order to become cruel.
       • "Unsex me here, and fill me fromcrown to toe top-full of direst cruelty." (Act 1. sc. 5)
     • While Shakespeare's known for strong female leads, this play does not have one. Interestingly enough not one woman in the play remains alive to the end of it.

4. Guilt and remorse