MacbethMacbeth

Themes and MotifsThemes and Motifs

Theme of the PlayTheme of the Play According to G.R. Elliot, the theme of the play is According to G.R. Elliot, the theme of the play is

that a "wicked intention must in the end produce that a "wicked intention must in the end produce wicked action unless it is not merely revoked by wicked action unless it is not merely revoked by the protagonist's better feelings, but entirely the protagonist's better feelings, but entirely eradicated by his inmost will, aided by Divine eradicated by his inmost will, aided by Divine grace.“grace.“

This is seen most clearly in This is seen most clearly in Act V, Scene 1, , where the Doctor says, "More needs she the where the Doctor says, "More needs she the divine than the physician." It also seen divine than the physician." It also seen throughout the play in Macbeth's murderous throughout the play in Macbeth's murderous plots. plots.

Theme: Nothing is as it Theme: Nothing is as it SeemsSeems

““Fair is foul, foul is fair." Basically, this Fair is foul, foul is fair." Basically, this means that appearances can be deceiving. means that appearances can be deceiving. What appears to be good can be bad, and What appears to be good can be bad, and this is seen in such things as the deceptive this is seen in such things as the deceptive facade of Lady Macbeth and in the facade of Lady Macbeth and in the predictions of the witches.predictions of the witches.

This theme of “Fair being Foul” is seen This theme of “Fair being Foul” is seen throughout the play. While the exact words throughout the play. While the exact words are spoken by the weird sisters, similar are spoken by the weird sisters, similar ideas are presented by Duncan, Malcom, ideas are presented by Duncan, Malcom, Macduff, Banquo, and even Macbeth.Macduff, Banquo, and even Macbeth.

Theme: AmbitionTheme: Ambition Ambition plays a major role in Macbeth. Ambition plays a major role in Macbeth.

It is important to note that at the start of It is important to note that at the start of the play, Macbeth is referenced as a man of the play, Macbeth is referenced as a man of honor. In fact, the reason Duncan awards honor. In fact, the reason Duncan awards him the Thane of Cawdor title is because of him the Thane of Cawdor title is because of his bravery and loyalty. his bravery and loyalty.

Macbeth places ambition before his honor Macbeth places ambition before his honor when Lady Macbeth presents him with her when Lady Macbeth presents him with her evil plan.evil plan.

The witches never make Macbeth or Lady The witches never make Macbeth or Lady Macbeth do anything. The two are Macbeth do anything. The two are responsible for their choices and the responsible for their choices and the outcome.outcome.

AmbitionAmbition

In In MacbethMacbeth, we see how unchecked , we see how unchecked ambition can never be fulfilled, and ambition can never be fulfilled, and therefore quickly grows into a therefore quickly grows into a monster that will destroy anyone monster that will destroy anyone who gives into it. who gives into it.

Theme: FateTheme: Fate

In the beginning of the play, the weird In the beginning of the play, the weird sisters make predictions for Macbeth sisters make predictions for Macbeth and Banquo. Throughout the story, and Banquo. Throughout the story, the predictions play an active role in the predictions play an active role in driving the plot. driving the plot.

The reader is left to wonder: Is it fate The reader is left to wonder: Is it fate that drives the plot? Or are the actions that drives the plot? Or are the actions of Macbeth/Lady Macbeth driven by of Macbeth/Lady Macbeth driven by their own ambition/lust for power?their own ambition/lust for power?

FateFate Macbeth tries to master fate, to make fate Macbeth tries to master fate, to make fate

conform to exactly what he wants. But, of conform to exactly what he wants. But, of course, fate doesn’t work that way. By trying to course, fate doesn’t work that way. By trying to master fate once, Macbeth puts himself in the master fate once, Macbeth puts himself in the position of having to master fate always. position of having to master fate always.

At every instant, he has to struggle against At every instant, he has to struggle against those parts of the witches’ prophecies that those parts of the witches’ prophecies that don’t favor him. Ultimately, Macbeth becomes don’t favor him. Ultimately, Macbeth becomes so obsessed with his fate that he becomes so obsessed with his fate that he becomes delusional: he becomes unable to see the half-delusional: he becomes unable to see the half-truths behind the witches’ prophecies. By truths behind the witches’ prophecies. By trying to master fate, he brings himself to ruin. trying to master fate, he brings himself to ruin.

Motif: Light vs. DarkMotif: Light vs. Dark

Much of this play is filled with the struggle Much of this play is filled with the struggle between light and darkness (symbolizing between light and darkness (symbolizing Macbeth-- he asks for darkness to hide his Macbeth-- he asks for darkness to hide his desires in Act I, and then darkness shrouds desires in Act I, and then darkness shrouds the night of the murder).the night of the murder).

The light in the first two acts is King The light in the first two acts is King Duncan, but the struggle went in favor of Duncan, but the struggle went in favor of darkness. This struggle occurs in every act darkness. This struggle occurs in every act of the play. of the play. 

Also, in Act V, Scene vii, Macduff enters and Also, in Act V, Scene vii, Macduff enters and says, "If thou [Macbeth] be'st slain and with no says, "If thou [Macbeth] be'st slain and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children's ghosts stroke of mine,/My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still" (lines 15 - 16). Macduff will haunt me still" (lines 15 - 16). Macduff can't rest until he gets revenge on the killer of can't rest until he gets revenge on the killer of his family, something Malcolm and Fleance his family, something Malcolm and Fleance (whose family was also killed by Macbeth) (whose family was also killed by Macbeth) didn't say. didn't say. 

Macduff is the hero of the play. He is the light Macduff is the hero of the play. He is the light that will soon come to a final climactic battle that will soon come to a final climactic battle with the dark (Macbeth). There is also religious with the dark (Macbeth). There is also religious meaning to this: God against the devil, Macbeth meaning to this: God against the devil, Macbeth being the devil (remember how he couldn't being the devil (remember how he couldn't say "Amen" in Act II?). This theme has been say "Amen" in Act II?). This theme has been used in many contemporary stories; it's an epic used in many contemporary stories; it's an epic battle of good vs. evil. battle of good vs. evil. 

Light and DarknessLight and Darkness Also, in Act V, Scene vii, Macduff enters and Also, in Act V, Scene vii, Macduff enters and

says, "If thou [Macbeth] be'st slain and with no says, "If thou [Macbeth] be'st slain and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children's ghosts stroke of mine,/My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still" (lines 15 - 16). Macduff will haunt me still" (lines 15 - 16). Macduff can't rest until he gets revenge on the killer of can't rest until he gets revenge on the killer of his family, something Malcolm and Fleance his family, something Malcolm and Fleance (whose family was also killed by Macbeth) (whose family was also killed by Macbeth) didn't say. didn't say. 

Macduff is the hero of the play. He is the light Macduff is the hero of the play. He is the light that will soon come to a final climactic battle that will soon come to a final climactic battle with the dark (Macbeth). There is also religious with the dark (Macbeth). There is also religious meaning to this: God against the devil, Macbeth meaning to this: God against the devil, Macbeth being the devil (remember how he couldn't being the devil (remember how he couldn't say "Amen" in Act II?). This theme has been say "Amen" in Act II?). This theme has been used in many contemporary stories; it's an epic used in many contemporary stories; it's an epic battle of good vs. evil. battle of good vs. evil. 

Nature and the Nature and the UnnaturalUnnatural

Throughout the play, there is a Throughout the play, there is a recurring theme of things that are recurring theme of things that are natural or things that are happening natural or things that are happening that are not natural or against that are not natural or against nature.nature.

Examples of things that go against Examples of things that go against nature:nature: horses eating horseshorses eating horses an owl killing a falconan owl killing a falcon Malcolm and Donalbain killing DuncanMalcolm and Donalbain killing Duncan Fleance murdering BanquoFleance murdering Banquo

Motif: Motif: Visions/HallucinationsVisions/Hallucinations

Visions and hallucinations recur throughout Visions and hallucinations recur throughout the play and serve as reminders of Macbeth the play and serve as reminders of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s responsibility for the and Lady Macbeth’s responsibility for the deaths that are caused by their unchecked deaths that are caused by their unchecked ambition.ambition.

An example of this would be when: Macbeth An example of this would be when: Macbeth is about to kill Duncan and sees a dagger is about to kill Duncan and sees a dagger floating in the air. Covered with blood and floating in the air. Covered with blood and pointed toward the king’s chamber, the pointed toward the king’s chamber, the dagger represents the bloody course on dagger represents the bloody course on which Macbeth is about to embark. which Macbeth is about to embark.

HallucinationsHallucinations When Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, it is a When Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, it is a

manifestation of his conscience.manifestation of his conscience.

Lady Macbeth has visions towards the end Lady Macbeth has visions towards the end of the play, as she begins her descent into of the play, as she begins her descent into madness. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and madness. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and believes that her hands are stained with believes that her hands are stained with blood that cannot be washed away by any blood that cannot be washed away by any amount of water. amount of water.

The hallucinations are subconscious signs The hallucinations are subconscious signs of the guilt felt by Macbeth and Lady of the guilt felt by Macbeth and Lady MacbethMacbeth

Symbol: BloodSymbol: Blood

Blood is often used to symbolize guilt, or the lack of Blood is often used to symbolize guilt, or the lack of it. For example, in II.3.59-62, Macbeth has just it. For example, in II.3.59-62, Macbeth has just

murdered King Duncan and feels horribly guilty for murdered King Duncan and feels horribly guilty for his deed. Duncan had thought rather fondly of his deed. Duncan had thought rather fondly of

Macbeth, and had trusted him after his previous Macbeth, and had trusted him after his previous Thane of Cawdor had betrayed him. Macbeth, with Thane of Cawdor had betrayed him. Macbeth, with

blood covering his arms and hands, exclaimsblood covering his arms and hands, exclaims

"With all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood"With all great Neptune's ocean wash this bloodClean from my hand? No; this my hand will ratherClean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather

The multitudinous seas incarnadine,The multitudinous seas incarnadine,Making the green one red."Making the green one red."

BloodBlood In II.3.110, Macbeth describes Duncan as having had In II.3.110, Macbeth describes Duncan as having had

"golden blood," which contrasts with his own. Duncan had "golden blood," which contrasts with his own. Duncan had no guilt and had done nothing to anger Macbeth, or to no guilt and had done nothing to anger Macbeth, or to make him worthy of being murdered. In spite of this fact, make him worthy of being murdered. In spite of this fact, Macbeth still murdered King Duncan and contaminated his Macbeth still murdered King Duncan and contaminated his blood in the process.blood in the process.

Another example of the blood motif occurs in Act V. Macduff Another example of the blood motif occurs in Act V. Macduff has come and challenged Macbeth to a sword fight to which has come and challenged Macbeth to a sword fight to which Macbeth refused. This happened because Macbeth didn't Macbeth refused. This happened because Macbeth didn't want to shed anymore blood (kill people) than he already want to shed anymore blood (kill people) than he already has and because more bloodshed is more guilt. Macbeth is has and because more bloodshed is more guilt. Macbeth is already suffering from his guilt and more guilt would just already suffering from his guilt and more guilt would just cause more problems for him.cause more problems for him.

"Of all men else I have avoided thee."Of all men else I have avoided thee.But get thee back! My soul is too much chargedBut get thee back! My soul is too much chargedWith blood of thine already." (V.viii.4-6)With blood of thine already." (V.viii.4-6)

Symbol: The WeatherSymbol: The Weather

The weather is symbolic of the The weather is symbolic of the actions going on within the play.actions going on within the play.

For instance, in Act I, scene I, the For instance, in Act I, scene I, the witches say “When shall we three witches say “When shall we three meet again/In thunder, lighting, or meet again/In thunder, lighting, or in rain?” This sets up the fact that in rain?” This sets up the fact that the whenever the witches appear, it the whenever the witches appear, it will be “stormy” in Scotland. Of will be “stormy” in Scotland. Of course, Macbeth does not know this!course, Macbeth does not know this!