This document provides and in depth explanation and summary of every theme that is present in the play Macbeth, By William Shakespeare.
As the theme is listed in a table format, then it is followed by an explanation and lastly with quotes that are related to that specific theme.
At the end of t...
Ambition and power ● This play shows that ambition is dangerous because it can
quickly spiral out of control. In the beginning Macbeth was
very hesitant to kill King Duncan because he considered
the morality of doing so, but did not hesitate in killing
Banquo.
● Once macbeth starts killing, he has to kill more and more
people in order to get his position secure, showing
ambition which could eventually lead to making people
ruthless and selfish
● The driving force in this tragedy is the ambition, or more
specifically, the ambition that goes unbridled by any theory
of morality.
● Macbeth's ambition is the main catalyst for the entire
narrative
● The loyal and respected soldier becomes consumed by the
desire for power after the witches' prophecies spurred on
Lady Macbeth's ambition.
● This ambition makes macbeth to do terrible things
including the murder of king Duncan and Banquo and
many others - because of power and influence
● Each murder that he commits increases his paranoia and
pushes him into a further cycle of violence and ambition to
commit crimes
● The play presents conflict between macbeth's ambition
and moral values, initially he is torn between ambition and
what is right and wrong
● Driven by her own ambition, Lady Macbeth manipulates
and pressures Macbeth into committing these acts and
crimes, whilst also challenging his masculinity and
ambition which causes her to keep pushing him to do
these acts.
● Macbeth's excessive ambition, acts and crimes leads to his
downfall.
● Good vs bad ambition, ambition could be a positive thing if
the motivation is to help others in good faith… but in
Macbeth's case it is quite the opposite. In regards to
Malcolm and Macduff they are ambitious to their country
which reflects on a positive ambition because it would
benefit Scotland and not for their selfish desires.
Quotes related to ambition :
● Macbeth knows that he is very ambitious, and
'I have no spur it's this that fuels his decision to kill king
But only/ vaulting ambition ‘ duncan. Lady Macbeth does not agree that
, Macbeth is ambitious so she gives him a little
push towards the right decision.
‘Art not without ambition, but ● So for Lady Macbeth, ambition is not enough.
without ‘Illness’ – that is, wickedness – must
The illness should attend it’ accompany it, if the ambition is to be realized.
It is this ‘illness’ which Macbeth finds himself
lacking in as he prepares to murder Duncan.
● Leading the readers to wonder what causes
Macbeth to kill the king? His ambition comes
only from the prophecy of the Witches. He
does not dream of the throne until he is told
that such a dream will come true.
‘Valiant’ solider to ‘dead bucher ’ ● Ambition motivates macbeth to commit terrible
deeds and changes him from a respected
soldier to a dead butcher - CHARACTER
CHANGE -
Appearance vs reality ● In Macbeth, characters often hide their thoughts and
pretend to be something that they are not.
● Lady macbeth, encourages Macbeth to appear to be good
so that nobody suspects that he plans to kill king Duncan
● Macbeth knows that he needs a ‘false face’ to hide his
murderous acts. However, when macbeth sees Banquo's
ghost, his face is ‘the very painting’ of his fear and betrays
his feelings
● At first, Lady Macbeth has no trouble disgusting her evil
behavior - she pretends to faint with shock when Duncan's
death is discovered, however her guilt is to great to hide
and she starts sleepwalking.
● Appearances:, Macbeth is hailed as a valiant and loyal
and respected soldier, and Lady Macbeth appears to be a
devoted and strong-willed wife.
● Realities: As the play unfolds, it becomes clear that these
initial appearances are misleading. Macbeth is consumed
by ambition and becomes a ruthless murderer, while Lady
Macbeth's mental state deteriorates due to guilt.
● Macbeth's character embodies the theme of
appearance versus reality. He appears to be noble and
righteous, but he is driven by ambition and resorts to
heinous acts to fulfill his desires.
● Macbeth sees a hallucinated dagger leading him to
Duncan's chamber. This symbolizes his conflicted
state, where appearances (the dagger) are deceiving,
reflecting his inner turmoil and the growing gap
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