Macbeth key themes

• Ambition


  Macbeth allows his ambition to overwhelm him and becomes a murderer. Lady Macbeth is affected by the guilt of her actions caused by her ambition.
• Fate


  Macbeth puts himself in the position of having to master fate always and struggles against parts of the witches’ prophecies that do not benefit him.
• Guilt


  Macbeth feels guilt early on whilst Lady Macbeth becomes guilty later on which leads to her increasing lack of sanity.
• The Supernatural


  The witches are a clear image, as well as Macbeth disrupting the social and political order by killing King Duncan. Also raging storms are presented mirroring Macbeth and Lady Macbeth‘s acts.
• Power


  Macbeth deeply desires power. Macbeth abuses his power when he is King to avoid any threats. Lady Macbeth also desires power which is not considered a traditional trait for a woman of this time.
• Violence


  Macbeth commits violence from the beginning and continues to do so until violence is all he has left.
• Masculinity vs Femininity


  There are many questions around manhood towards Macbeth and Macduff from their wives because of their decisions.
• Loyalty 


  Macbeth is loyal to King Duncan at the beginning and those who were loyal to Macbeth change sides later in the play.