Macbeth

• The theme of appearance versus reality is prominent in Macbeth, as characters often hide their true intentions behind a facade.
• Guilt and conscience. Macbeth is wracked by guilt over his evil deeds, while Lady Macbeth goes mad with guilt.
• "I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself And falls on th' other" - Macbeth
• The corrupting influence of power, ambition, and greed. Macbeth is drawn into evil primarily by his wife Lady Macbeth's ruthless ambition and plotting.
• The witches' prophecies and their manipulation of Macbeth's mind play a key role in driving the tragic events of the play.
• Macbeth's soliloquies provide insight into his inner thoughts and emotions, revealing his internal struggle between ambition and morality.
• Power and ambition. Macbeth becomes consumed by his desire for power, leading him down a dark path.
• Fate vs free will. The witches' prophecies seem to dictate the course of events, but Macbeth ultimately chooses to act on them.
• Masculinity and femininity. Lady Macbeth challenges traditional gender roles and manipulates her husband into committing murder.
• "Out damned spot! Out i’th’ shape of Bugbear!" - Lady Macbeth
• Macbeth's character development from an honorable soldier to a murderous tyrant highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of giving in to one's darkest desires.
• Macbeth is torn between loyalty to Duncan and his own desire for power, leading him down a path of destruction.
• Lady Macbeth's character development shows her transformation from an ambitious woman to one consumed by guilt and madness.
• Lady Macbeth's character development from ambitious schemer to tormented soul highlights her descent into madness and guilt.
• Lady Macbeth's role in manipulating her husband and driving him towards evil shows how women can be powerful agents of change in Shakespearean drama.
• Shakespeare uses language and imagery to convey themes such as corruption, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
• Moral corruption. As Macbeth commits more heinous acts, he loses touch with his moral compass.
• The use of supernatural elements adds to the sense of foreboding and foreshadows the dark fate that awaits Macbeth.
• Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional, leading to his downfall.
• The play also touches upon issues related to gender roles and expectations, particularly in relation to Lady Macbeth's actions and motivations.
• The witches are portrayed as mysterious and otherworldly figures, adding to the overall atmosphere of darkness and danger.
• The play explores the theme of power and its corrupting influence on those who seek it at any cost.
• Themes of appearance vs reality are explored through characters like Banquo, who appears loyal but may have ulterior motives.
• The theme of appearance versus reality is explored through Lady Macbeth's deception and Macbeth's attempts to maintain his facade of control.
• Betrayal. The play explores different forms of betrayal, including political treachery, marital infidelity, and personal deception.
• The play is set against the backdrop of medieval Scotland, which provides a rich historical context for the story.
• What audience is macbeth presented to?


  Jacobean
• Macbeth is spurred on by his ambition
• Macbeth is made desperate by his guilt and fear. He trys to kill anyone who he sees as a threat
• What does malcolm become at the end??

  Rightful king
• What king was this play written to?

  James 1
• Why include loyalty and treason as a theme?

  Focus on regicide, allegory to gunpowder plot against king
• Why include the key theme of supernatural?


  Witches were believed to be real and dangerous and James 1 fascinated by them
• Uncertainty about royal succession was a concern, for both macbeth and James 1
• Macbeth is driven by ambition, he's willing to kill Duncan to become king and he'll do anything to protect his crown
• Betrayal is shown through Duncan trusting the wrong people-macbeth whereas malcolm is a more carefull leader and macbeth separates himself from all
• The evil witches manipulate macbeth and visions/apperations drive him and LM mad with guilt
• The play explores the idea of self fulfilling prophecy and its unclear whether macbeth has control over his own fate
• Symbolic imagery

  Light and darkness symbolise good and evil-the sun doesn't shine ofter Duncans murder
• Dramatic irony allows audience audience know something that characters don't-plots and murders