In this resource, you’ll find all the key themes in Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”.
You will also find some thoughts and comments on key themes and ideas in the play. These are intended as a starting point - you should also read essays on the topic, do your own research and develop your ow...
MACBETH THEMES
Themes and ideas form the foundation of most exam questions - even when a question seems
character-based, there will almost always be a theme attached to it. Look at the following questions and
see if you can identify the themes in each one:
• How far does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth as a powerful woman?
• In what ways does Shakespeare present witchcraft and the supernatural?
• To what extent is Macbeth’s ambition the most significant factor in his downfall?
• Examine the ways in which Shakespeare presents the idea of madness in the play.
Below, you’ll find some thoughts and comments on key themes and ideas in the play. These are
intended as a starting point - you should also read essays on the topic, do your own research and
develop your own more personal and detailed beliefs about each theme before attempting to write
essays! Every essay or exam answer that you write should include your own personal thoughts and
feelings on the question, so the notes and questions below are designed to help you develop a personal
response to each theme.
Once you feel comfortable with the key ideas and debates on a theme you should compile a list of
quotations that relate to it, then practise analysing those too.
BRAVERY
• Macbeth is described as “brave” and “noble” - does he “deserve” this title the whole
way through the play?
• Is being a brave warlord who makes a living through fighting battles a good or bad
thing? Is there a connection between Macbeth’s bravery on the battlefield and his
murder of Duncan?
• Some say he redeems his honour at the end by being brave and facing his death by
fighting Macduff despite knowing that he will die.
• Others feel that his reputation has always been unjustifiably positive - we never see
the great Macbeth that he is supposed to be during our time with him onstage.
• Viewing Macbeth as a tragic hero, we could say that bravery is one of his heroic
qualities, rather than one of his flaws.
• Do Malcolm and Donalbain show cowardice by fleeing Scotland?
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