Macbeth : ' Macbeth '

The way that we distinguish things is usually based upon miscalculation that seem to mask the reality. The tragic story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth shows that the exterior appearance of anyone may be false. Macbeth is portrayed as an honest, loyal and a brave subject. The witches play the major part towards Macbeths downfall and Lady Macbeth plays the most part.

This resource is designed as a reference guide for teachers. We have listed the major themes and motifs within Macbeth and provided examples of scenes where you can study them.

‘Macbeth’ a Scottish play known as one of Shakespeare’s best plays was written in 1611 by William Shakespeare, during that time King James the 1st was the king of Scotland, the Jacobean times was a time where people had a fascination with witches and witchcraft, ‘Daemonolgie’ was a book written by King James the 1st himself, this was about ways to spot a witch, which intrigued people. Since ‘Macbeth’ has a Scottish theme Shakespeare may have written this play to please King James since there is references to Banquo which is a direct descendant of King James, also it is said that Banquo wasn’t a very nice man but Shakespeare presents him as very loyal and kind person

“Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet for I fear thy nature; It is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” (Shakespeare 1.5.12-15). Lady Macbeth is the bad influence Macbeth has in his life that persuades him into killing King Duncan and rushes into being King. Before Macbeth became paranoid after the brutal death of King Duncan, he was a worthy captain of the kings army. “The service and the loyalty I owe in doing it pays itself. Your Highness’ part is to receive our duties, and our duties are to your throne and state children and servants, which do but what they should by doing everything safe toward your honor and love” (Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare recounts Macbeth's meteoric rise as a soldier and promising future leader whose megalomaniacal ambition led to his tragic downfall. In addition to Macbeth's ambitions, which initially enable him to be strong leader and soldier, he is influenced heavily by his wife, Lady Macbeth, and the three witches that prophesize his ascent to the throne, as well as warn him of his eventual demise. It can be argued that it is Macbeth's ambition that allows him to succeed in his endeavors, however the goals to which he is working toward influence the results of his hard work. Macbeth's ambitions help him to become a war hero, and as his goals change, his ambitions drive him to become a tyrannical villain.

3. How do Malcolm's comments about Macbeth again bring to mind the “fair is foul” theme?

In life, there are two types of people: those who do the right thing and those who don’t. In the play Macbeth, by Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth is given a prophecy by three witches that says he will become king; however, there is no descending line of kings of his own blood. With the knowledge of the Witches’ prophecy, Macbeth’s ambition, and manipulation from his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is quickly dragged into a never-ending, bloody murder rampage to obtain the crown and get rid of those who stand in the way of obtaining it as well. Macbeth constantly battles with his moral dilemmas; however, he easily falls victim to influences that go against his morals. Influences on major characters emphasize how easily one’s decision making can be negatively affected, resulting in one going against his or her morals/integrity.

A picture may tell a thousand words, but an image is the product of imagination. In any piece of literature, imagery plays a significant role in illustrating the characters. In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are developed through the use of clothing, sleep, and blood imagery.

Macbeth is a strong character who, before the events of Macbeth, was a honorable and good guy because of his previous deeds of being great in battle and honorable outside of the battlefield. Up until he heard the prophecy from the witches he change his ways. Macbeth started to do anything necessary to get what he wants or thinks he needs. His wife during this time was able to manipulate him into becoming someone he normally is not. He has changed into a dishonorable, traitorous, deceiving, shell of a man who has killed his way into power.

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth the main theme of loyalty is explored throughout the play by main characters. Loyalty can be defined as faithfulness or unwavering devotion to a person or cause. Duncan, Banquo, Macduff and Macbeth are all essential characters who are given opportunities to express their loyalty, however it is the different ways in which these characters choose to be loyal or disloyal that shape the play as a whole. It is the character’s loyalty and/or disloyalty that construct the course of the play. The theme of loyalty interrelates the over arching themes of guilt and masculinity throughout the play.

From the second scene, Macbeth is described by various other characters as a strong, brave warrior that is dependable in this time of war. Malcolm describes Macbeth’s fight with Macdonwald, portraying “brave Macbeth” (Mac. 1.2. 18). In response to Macbeth's victory, Duncan cries, “O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!” (Mac. 1.2. 26). Shakespeare provides that Macbeth is a courageous soldier that is praised by all. Macbeth's strength is further emphasised by his label as “Bellona’s bridegroom” (Mac. 1.2. 62). Bellona is the Roman goddess of war; therefore her husband would also have to be an incredible warrior. Ross’s classification of Macbeth as bellona's bridegroom makes it apparent that he is the type of warrior that could be marrying Bellona.

Macbeth is a tragedy dealing with greed, ambition, and betrayal. A play of contradiction and ambition. He is driven by his wife Lady Macbeth, pushing him on in his time of doubt to become the king. He will kill anyone who poses a threat to his throne. He relied on the prophesies of the three witches after one of them, him becoming Thane of Cawdor, comes true.

“Fair is foul and foul is fair | Hover through the fog and filthy air” (augmenting earlier references to thunder, lightning and rain).

Shakespeare is one of the most famous authors in the history of old and modern english texts. While living through the 1500s-1600s, and having very little knowledge of psychological issues, Shakespeare portrayed mental illnesses in Macbeth fairly accurately. The characters in the tragedy of Macbeth show many characteristics and warning signs of mental disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and depression. Since there is scarce evidence of medical testing and research with the mind during the 1500s and 1600s, Shakespeare most likely didn’t understand that the way he portrayed the character’s actions are characteristics for certain diagnosed mental disorders. The history of mental illness and disorders plays a

Macbeth is a tragedy written in the 17th century that shows what the desire for power can do to a man. Macbeth is expressed as being the villain. But, Macbeth is in fact a tragic hero, doomed by fate from the beginning into the madness he put himself in. If it not been for meeting the witches and persuasion of his wife, the play would have had a very different ending.