macbeth themes

• supernatural

  " thunder, lightening and rain

  • pathetic fallacy- symbolises the chaos of the play and shows the destruction of the great chain of being
• supernatural 


  "meet with macbeth"

  • foreshadows that a darkness is coming over Macbeth- eeries/omnious mood
• supernatural


  "fair is foul, foul is fair

  • repition- the first indication that things may not always be as they appear
  • Macbeth appears to be a good friend and heroic character, however he is not.
• masculinity 


  " unsex me here"

  • command- Lady Macbeth thinks women are not strong enough to do what she wants to do
• masculinity 


  "yet do i fear thy nature; it is too full of milk of human kindness. To catch the nearest way"

  • metaphor- despite his reputation as a brave warrior. Macbeth also has a strong sense of compassion
• masculinity


  " when you durst to do it, then you where a man;And to be more than what you were, you would be so much more than a man"

  • dialogue- Lady Macbeth is manipulating Macebth by speaking of his manhood. She gains more and more control of Macbeth as the play goes on
• kingship


  "bloody instructions"

  • symbol of blood
• kingship 


  "angels"

  • duncan, according to divine right of kings placed by God.
  • Religous Principles
• kingship

  "king hereafter"

  • prophecies- speak half truth
  • manipulation by the witches
• kingship 


  "crowned"

  • A strong sense and brave leader which reclaims Scotland after being ruled by a tyrant ( macbeth)
  • Malcom also restores the order of the great chain of being
• gender expectations

  " if it were done when tis done"

  • Dialogue- Macbeth perceives that the murder of Duncan could initiate a cycle of violence