Name: __________________ Period: ____ Date: ___________ Favorite Motif: _________
Reviewing Themes in Macbeth
A theme is the main idea in a work of literature. It is a perception about life or human nature that the writer
shares with the reader. In most cases, a theme is not stated directly but must be inferred. Themes tell us
something about life outside of a story, so people, events, etc. from a story should not be in a theme.
Furthermore, a theme is written as a complete sentence, so grammatically, a theme has a subject and a verb
and is a complete thought.
What may be helpful is if you start with a subject/idea/topic/motif and fill in the blank. For example:
Murder______________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Read the following statements that students have said are themes for Macbeth. Some are
correct; some are incorrect. Circle YES if the statement abides by our definition of a theme. Circle NO
if the statement is not a theme. If you circle NO, revise three statements as themes at the bottom.
1. Committing regicide is a sin against church and state, and it can’t be forgiven.
YES/NO
2. I think ambition is the most important theme in the play because the play
YES/NO
describes how ambition can sometimes drive someone too far.
3. Impulsive behavior may lead to disaster.
YES/NO
4. Appearances can be deceiving: fair appearances hide foul realities.
YES/NO
5. If the Macbeths hadn’t committed murder, they would have been so much happier.
YES/NO
6. Gender roles
YES/NO
7. It mostly taught about murder and that it can be really complicated.
YES/NO
8. I think loyalty is the most important because if the Macbeths had remained loyal
YES/NO
to King Duncan and Scotland, they would have lived richer lives.
9. Loyalty can be betrayed and it can cause good people to do bad things.
YES/NO
10. Macbeth should not have given into superstition so easily and exercised free will.
YES/NO
11. Ambition that isn’t regulated by ethics and morals will lead to one’s downfall.
YES/NO
12. There’s a natural order in the world; to violate this order is unnatural and disastrous.
YES/NO
13. The play tells us about witches and how they can make people do crazy things.
YES/NO
14. Generally, treason is immoral and a violation of one’s allegiances to his or her country. YES/NO
15. To prove his masculinity, Macbeth is cruel so he doesn’t appear feminine and weak.
YES/NO
16. Ambition can be a morally corrupting agent.
YES/NO
17. Destiny versus free will
YES/NO
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2. ______________________________________________________________________________
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3. ______________________________________________________________________________
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