Themes

• Some themes in Macbeth are (FLAGG JOKS), fate and freewill, loyalty (and betrayal), ambition and power, good and evil, gender, justice and guilt, order and disorder, kingship, and the supernatural/witchcraft
• How are the supernatural themes expressed within the play?


  • The characters of the witches and their familiars (a grey cat and a toad which are both associated with magic, and are the classically stereotypical 'witchy' animals.)
  • Whenever the witches are onstage, Shakespeare uses the stage effects of thunder and lightning, presenting an ominous mood and placing further emphasis on the mysterious/eerie setting.
• How is the polar theme of fate vs freewill explored in the play?


  • explored through the character of Macbeth.
  • Although the witch's prophecy spur both Macbeth and his wife to try and fulfil their ambitions, the witches never forced either to do anything. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth act in their own accordance to satisfy their deepest desires.
  • Brings the question of whether their actions were due to the prophecy, or just the simple belief that it was meant to happen that caused Macbeth to do what he did.
• The theme of fate and freewill corresponds to the belief of Shakespeare and the Elizabethan/Jacobean era in that life's course is already predetermined.
• Binary themes - loyalty and betrayal, good and evil, order and disorder.
• Good and Evil

  • is demonstrated through the continual brooding presence of murderous intentions, destroying whatever is good.
  • Although Macbeth's conscience troubles him, ultimately he still commits evil.
• Gender

  • 'Macbeth' explored gender themes through role reversal. In Jacobean times, men were expected to be brave and loyal - like Macbeth is at the beginning of the play.
  • However Lady Macbeth subverts her traditional gender role by wanting more power and influences Macbeth and makes him disloyal.