context

• shakespeare writes macbeth to be a symbol for toxic and repressive masculinity ultimately associating manhood with violence
• for Macbeth the ideals of power, valour and violence become synonymous with masculinity, he is convinced that if he doesn't pursue Kingship as much as possible he will be exposed as effeminate
• relationship with Lady Macbeth influences his decisions and how the power dynamics change as the play progresses

  • most of the play Macbeth treats Lady Macbeth as his equal, he allows himself to be manipulated by her because she has the power to strip him of his masculinity
• what Macbeth's ambition strives for , more than to be king, is to be indisputably manly
• Jacobean era was highly religious , the play is full of sinners and treachery. Macbeth rarely mentions God by name, but the idea of Heaven and Hell replays in his mind continuously suggesting he is worried about the destination of his immortal soul
• killing Duncan is a landmark decision in his moral path

  • he couldn't "sleep no more " or say "amen"
  • shows that Macbeth knows his life is over and he will no longer live like the rest of humanity, he has strayed from God's path and lost His protection