Shakespeare's intentions

• Shakespeare presents that heroism is easily corrupted. Any honour or glory is corrupted into darker forces of evil. This creates emotions of both pity and disappointment for the fallen hero.
• Shakespeare introduces the idea that heroism is only a facade for darker, evil forces. Shakespeare suggests that patriotism and heroism will not survive for long.
• Shakespeare presents the awful consequences of betraying the expectations of the time. Macbeth's downfall is a punishment for his behaviour.
• Shakespeare presents us with the conflicted character of Macbeth: there is a battle between his ambitious desire for power vs his conscience. We see Macbeth's tragic transformation from hero to villain, as a result of the weakness of his mind.