Shakespeare's Main Themes In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

There are many different themes displayed in Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth. Many of these themes play with nature, the supernatural, and fate. From ghosts to horses eating each other the play uses symbolism, language, and characters to portray these themes. During the play the audience learns of several themes such as ambition, guilt, fate versus free will, nature versus the unnatural, and how things are not always as they seem.

In tragedies, characters often serve to act as instruments of the suffering of others. This is particularly true in the play Macbeth, in which the main character’s actions lead to the subsequent distress and woe of other characters. In the play, the main character, Macbeth, directly contributes to the anguish of other characters, succumbing to his own bloodthirstiness as he ruthlessly removes threats to his desired power. Macbeth brings great suffering upon others, and the subsequent violence and carnage adds to the distress and tragedy of the play as a whole; the tragic vision of the play is consequently exemplified.

Shakespeare utilizes this notion, assumed by various characters, to express the duality under which they live. From the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses the idea of what is real, juxtaposed with what is deceiving to create an air of uncertainty and bewilderment. The paradox spoken by the witches, 'Fair is foul and foul is fair,' highlights the confusion present and serves as an admonition (caution?) for Macbeth. Shakespeare delves into the idea that deceit and duplicity indicates that appearances ought not to be relied on. Macbeth's over-ambitious, tyrannical character is intentionally contrasted with his initial appearance, as the play

The tragedy Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, follows the rise and fall of a loyal Scottish warrior. Macbeth is portrayed as a man of multiple sides, presenting three main traits – bravery, ambition, and self-doubt – throughout the play. The character is an example of how ambition and guilt can have terrible effects on an individual lacking in strength of character. Although some people may perceive Macbeth as malicious, his weak character shows that he is incapable of conquering guilt and self-doubt. The prime themes of the play are: ambition, loyalty and betrayal, good and evil, appearance versus reality, supernatural and fate. Shakespeare presents these themes through the actions of Macbeth and their results: the corrupting effects

The most prominent theme throughout Macbeth is ambition. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth risk their innocence and

Recall the story of Snow White. The girl took a bite out of an apple because it looked delectable. Little did she know that it would knock her out and put her into a deep sleep. Think about the tale of Aladdin. He found this magic lamp which was to bring him an immense fortune, but his greed got the best of him and it ended up consuming him in the end. The Lion King, a young cub was exiled after his father’s death, only to return years later and take back his rightful throne. In Hercules, an evil god was given a prophecy by three fates and forced them to come true which resulted in his own undoing. Macbeth shares a template with a plethora of tales and stories, many of which have gained popularity in the Walt Disney Franchise. Whilst these narratives and the play may have different overall storylines and characters, the vital themes and character framework remain very similar to the core ideas of the 16th-century play.

In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth evil is conveyed in many ways through characters, themes and settings. Many themes are explored in detail contributing hugely to the sense of evil with characters being used along with these themes to create evil within the characters. These themes and characters are shown in different settings at different times consequently affecting the mood and atmosphere of the play.

"Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, till he unseamed him from nave to th' chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements" (act 1, scene 2) This suggests an underlying side to Macbeth which was present from the start of the tragedy. That was enough that when given a small taste of power by becoming Thane of Cawdor, could bring out the more brutal side of him.

Both themes in the play have a connection to real life situations that are relevant to today’s society. All of us have moments in our lives in which we must choose between goodness and greed, and, when we choose poorly, our lives, our families and even our countries turn out to be just as fragile. It is in the blood of most people to desire more power but it is some that take it further into an obsession which leads to improper actions. Macbeth shows us what the lure of power can do, and how it can make a person blind to moral reason and common sense. The envy and desire to possess and people’s willingness to do anything to get it is something that relates to any setting. The main moral message is about naked, unchecked, almost brutal ambition, and the lengths that a person will pursue it to achieve ultimate power. A modern equivalence that can be drawn to this scene is Hitler during WWII. Hitler had a lot in common with Macbeth, including the steady history of betrayals and will willingness to commit unspeakable crimes against other human beings to advance his cause. Another characteristic of Macbeth is his paranoia which results from the predictions of the witches. Because

The witches confront Macbeth and state that they foresee he will rise to power. The title Thane of Cawdor holds many possibilities for Macbeth. With it comes the opportunity for a more comfortable life with his wife. However Macbeth understands that to make this fantasy possible he must kill the now reigning king, Duncan. He ponders the witches fortune and realizes his true desires “Let not light see my black and deep desires,” (1:4:58).

One quote that relates to the main theme that was found in Macbeth states, “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won” (1.2.77). In the beginning, the Thane of Cawdor, a title in the Peerage of Scotland, was sentenced to death for his betrayal to King Duncan. Meanwhile, Macbeth, the King's army general, has completed magnificent work in the battle and he received the title of the Thane of Cawdor for the appreciation by the King. Metaphorically and literally, the former Thane of Cawdor lost his life and his title. Unlike him, Macbeth has won by gaining the title and fame. Although the appearance might seem like positive news for Macbeth, in reality, it opened his eyes to do immoral actions.

His infidelity breaks the trust between him and Duncan because of his immense betrayal to not only the King, but to the country of Scotland. He quickly becomes a man whom Duncan could no longer rely upon, for this reason, Duncan awards the title to a noble and courageous soldier, Macbeth. Dramatic irony is presented in this line because as Duncan is addressing the unfaithfulness of the old thane, it is followed by the entry of Macbeth to the scene, a man who later misuses his power to betray the King. To Duncan, Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, is appeared to be virtuous and courageous because of his heroic performance in the battle for defeating the opponent, Macdonwald. The King demonstrates his satisfaction towards Macbeth through a conversation with Banquo. He describes Macbeth as “full so valiant, And in his commendations [King Duncan is] fed; It is a banquet to [him]… It is a peerless kinsman.” (1.4.56-60). In this speech, King Duncan truly admires Macbeth’s valiancy and describes him as a man without equal. He congratulates Macbeth for his courage on the battlefield and as followed by the witches’ prophecies of Macbeth, “...All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor…” (1.3.50), he replaces and becomes the new Thane of Cawdor. This speech reveals the gullible nature of Duncan who once trusted the old thane and anew, believes the new thane will be loyal to the country. By all means, Duncan is clueless of

Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ is an exceptional representation of tragedy and power in Elizabethan times, and displays various ways in which he ensures that the audience connects with the play. This includes may include soliloquies, in which the character openly expresses their thoughts, which significantly appeals with the audience. Metaphors can also exaggerate a scene to make the play enjoyable for the audience, as they evoke setting and describe characters. The specific characterisation that Shakespeare uses also interests the audience, and he also links the play back to the Elizabethan context. He discusses a variety of complex issues that are explored in the play, which can engage the audience, and makes them ponder about the consequences of the character’s actions.

Macbeth is a valiant warrior, Thane of Cawdor for his performance in the war, and eventually the King of Scotland for performing a low-key immoral deed. In the eyes of Shakespeare’s audience, Macbeth is noticed for killing enemies in the war. Macbeth portrays himself as strong and fearless man but shows weakness to his wife by denying murdering the King. Macbeth angers Lady Macbeth by backing out of the plan when he says,

Macbeth is skeptical of their predictions because the Thane of Cawdor is alive, wealthy, and powerful. In addition to being Thane of Cawdor, the witches predict Macbeth will become King of Scotland, which Macbeth thinks is no more impossible than being Thane of Cawdor. Shortly after, however, King Duncan informs Macbeth that he will become the new Thane of Cawdor after the former thane had committed treason and was sentenced to death. Because of this, Macbeth begins to put trust behind the witches’ words. Influenced by the witches’ prophecy, Macbeth begins to develop an intense ambition to become King of Scotland.