Macbeth: Themes, Symbols, Characters

Thematic Statement /Symbols relevance:

In Macbeth, the theme of appearance vs. reality underlies everything, and is hinted at in the background of the play throughout . Events in the scenes occur which only certain character's participate in, but the audience sees. Some of these events are the murder of Duncan, Macbeth hiring the murderers to kill Banquo, and Macbeth plotting to kill MacDuff’s entire family. These are just some of the events that hint that all is not what it appears to be, and the audience starts to form an impression of Macbeth that is entirely different in appearance to what the other characters believe. In reality, no one really suspects Macbeth until much later in the play, all they see is that he’s ruining Scotland because of how horrible a leader he is. The main characters in the play, except for the witches, don’t know how dark and corrupt he has become, and all the horrible things he’s done to get to the throne. Overall, his appearance to the audience has changed, but none of the characters see who he truly is until later on in the play. I feel that no one truly knows what goes on inside someone’s head, and Macbeth is a great example of this. The reality is that he is a cold-hearted, and selfish ruler that thinks everyone is a threat to his throne, and he kills them if they’re in his way. One of the main symbols in Macbeth which closely relates to the theme I have selected is the symbol of blood. Blood and the reaction to it seems to be a part of the most important scenes in the play as Macbeth moves toward the throne. His and other characters reaction to blood also connects to appearance vs reality because they seem content and in control but are descending into a form of madness because of the blood on their hands. Macbeth’s appearance vs. reality throughout the play can be closely connected to blood because of the murders he’s done and the innocent people he’s killed. Now his heart is filled with blood and internal conflict because he can’t take back what he’s done.

The true Lady Macbeth

King Duncan

King Duncan is the King of Scotland before he is murdered by Macbeth so he can take the throne. Duncan was a good king with many on his side he was loyal, kind and fair to everyone who respected him. He gets killed right at the start of the play in Act 2, Scene 2 when he's asleep.

Quotations:

“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.” (1.4, 12)

“What bloody man is that?” (2.1, 1)

Malcolm

Heir to the throne; but he leaves after he finds out king Duncan has been murdered. He's King Duncan's son, and he sides with MacDuff to take back Scotland from Macbeth.

Quotations:

I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash is added to her wounds: (4.3, 40)

Different actors of MacDuff

Different emotions of Banquo