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Ambition
‘Macbeth’ examines the devastation that can occur when ambition oversteps its moral boundaries. The temptation that ambition causes plays a key factor in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan, and begin much of the action of the play. Ambition could be considered to be the driving force of the play. It is sparked by the prophesy, and in turn, Lady Macbeth’s ambitions for her husband inspire ambition within him. It is the corrupting influence of “vaulting ambition” that transforms Macbeth from a good and great man into a tyrannical murderer.
Power
The play observes the different ways in which power can manifest. There is a marked difference between the rule of King Duncan and the tyranny of Macbeth. The saying, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” is pivotal to the play.The qualities of a good king are most obviously demonstrated during Act 4, Scene 3, where Macduff tests Malcolm’s loyalty by describing his reproachable qualities and Malcolm responds with, “The king-becoming graces are justice, verity, temp’rance, stableness, bounty, perserverance, mercy, lowliness.”Most importantly, a good king should be loyal to Scotland above all else, including his own interests. Macbeth brings only chaos and ‘disease’ to Scotland, as shown through nature’s clear upheaval, and the supernatural events that take place.
Fate and Free Will
‘Macbeth’ questions the extent of which we control our own destinies. The plot of the play is set in motion by the prophecy of the Weird Sisters, which plays upon Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambitions. The prophecy serves as the primary motivation for the couple to plot the death of Duncan.The major question of the play is whether Macbeth would have committed such atrocious crimes if it wasn’t for the prophecy of the witches? The prophecy seems to be self-fulfilling; the witches know Hamlet’s tragic flaw: when offered the irresistible temptation to become King, Macbeth will choose to commit murder.The prophecies, by the conclusion of the play, prove to be not only fated but fatal, as it is Macbeth’s confidence in the final prophecies that see him rashly go to battle in Act 5.
Appearance and Reality
From “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”, ‘Macbeth’ is filled with people and events that are often not as they seem. Characters that may appear to be loyal, demonstrated most obviously in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, can harbour secret motives inside. The characters of the Weird Sisters bring with them confusion, infecting the natural order. They promise good things, and yet Macbeth’s life begins to deteriorate. The floating dagger, Banquo’s ghost and Lady Macbeth’s blood soaked hands demonstrate the increasing confusion between reality and illusion that seems to intensify as the witches’ influence grows.Traitors and heroes are confused, and true ambitions and desires are hidden. As Macbeth’s actions begin to become more tyrannical and savage, the strain of hiding one’s true nature surfaces in the lives of Macbeth and his lady.
Nature and the Natural World
The natural order is disrupted when the bounds of morality are broken.
The health of the country is directly linked to the moral strength of the king. When Macbeth goes against the natural order by murdering Duncan and usurping the throne, nature responds.
•'Against the use of nature' Act 1 Scene 3
•''Tis unnatural,/ Even like the deed that's done.' Act 3 Scene 4
•'And his gash'd stabs looked like a breach in nature'Act 3, Scene 1
•'Boundless intemperance/ In nature is a tyranny.'Act 4, Scene 3
Light and Darkness
The classic dichotomy (contrast) of good and evil is represented within the play as darkness and light. Bad things happen at night in the dark, while good people (including Macbeth at the beginning of the play) are described as having stars and light shine on them. Lady Macbeth’s fear of the darkness, and her clinging to the candles she carries, shows this most powerfully.
•'Stars, hid your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires'Act 1 Scene 4
•'that darkness does the face of earth entomb,/When living light should kiss it?'Act 4 Scene 2
•Come, seeling night,/ Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day'Act 3 Scene 2
Blood
The appearance of blood represents evil plans and consequences of overreaching ambition.
It is impossible not to consider ‘Macbeth’ to be a violent play, and many characters die bloody and aggressive deaths. It is barbaric at times, and death, darkness and the ever present stain of blood mark the guilt and treachery that runs throughout the action of the play.
•'Make thick my blood'Act 1 Scene 5
•'And on thy blood and dungeon gouts of blood/Which was not so before. There's no such thing:/It is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes.'Act 2 Scene 1
•'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?'Act 2 Scene 1
Fair and Foul
This motif is a paradox (a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true). How can something be fair (good) and foul (bad) at the same time? As the play begins, the weather is foul but the day has brought success to Macbeth, and whilst the battle has been won, life has been lost. This is important in regards to the character of Macbeth, we know that Macbeth is a hero but his ambition will be his downfall.
'Macbeth has only himself to blame for his downfall.' Do you agree?
Clothing
Clothing is a metaphor for identity within the play. It denotes when people are comfortable in their roles. When Macbeth refuses to believe his new as Thane of Cawdor he calls his title “borrowed robes”. Banquo also refers to Macbeth’s title as “strange garments”. Near the end of the play, Angus refers to Macbeth’s kingship as a garment that “hangs loose about him, like a giant’s robe”.
Motifs
Themes