Macbeth

• Themes

  • chaos
  • supernatural
  • deceit
  • ambition
• Chaos


  Complete disorder and confusion
• Supernatural


  Events, forces, or powers that cannot be explained by the laws of science and that seem to involve gods or magic.
• Deceit


  The action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
• Ambition


  A strong desire to do or achieve something
• Macbeth

  The eponymous protagonist is both ambitious and ruthless. He transforms from a loyal warrior to paranoid, tyrannical king.
• Lady Macbeth


  A strong, ambitious and manipulative woman who defies expectation.
• Banquo

  Macbeths close friend and ally is astute and loyal. Macbeth sees him as a threat after he hears the prophecy that Banquo’s children will become kings.
• Duncan

  King of Scotland; a strong and respected leader.
• Macduff


  A noble soldier who is loyal to Duncan and is suspicious of Macbeth.
• Malcolm


  Duncan’s eldest son and next in line to the throne.
• "When the hurley-burleys done, when the battles lost and won"-Three Witches
• "When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning or rain?"-Three Witches
• "Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air"-Three witches
• Metonymy


  A figure of speech that replaces the name of something else which it is closely associated with.
• Hamartia


  A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine
• Context

  • The gunpowder plot
  • King James 1 of England (and VI of Scotland)
  • The great chain of being
  • The divine right of kings
• Ambition


  A want for greatness and success
• "Let not light see my black and deep desires" -Macbeth
• "I could not say 'Amen'"-Macbeth
• "Unsex me here"- Lady Macbeth
• "Give me the daggers" -Lady Macbeth
• "Look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under it" -Lady Macbeth