Macbeth
Student Notes
I. List themes in Macbeth
Ashley McNamee, Andrea Dunbar, Avila Galanty, Erica Escobedo, Paul Tateosian,
Elisha Reagin
Although limitless themes can be found in Macbeth, the following were the most
prevalent to our group of readers:
Ambition: Macbeth can almost read as a cautionary tale; describing the casualties when
ambition goes unchecked. Lady Macbeth, and to a lesser extent, Macbeth, both personify
unyielding ambition. Ambition causes the characters to use Machiavellian tactics.
Definition of Gender Roles: The essence of manhood is discussed numerous times in
Macbeth. Behaving like a man is very important to the male characters of Macbeth. After
the deaths of Macduff’s family, he is encouraged to “take it like a man”- meaning to seek
revenge. Macbeth’s wife manipulates him to take part in her malicious plans by
aggressively questioning his “manhood”. In the traditional sense, female nature is
believed to represent opposite the values of male aggression and thirst for power. The
nature of the women of Macbeth are contradictory of these values. Lady Macbeth calls
her femininity into question through her aggressive nature, ruthless plotting and deceitful
quest for power. She even describes herself as “unsexed”. The male status is also inflated
when one considers the associations with the genders in Macbeth. Almost all woeful
events in the story stem from the female characters. The witches, who are openly
described as evil, launch the ambitions of Macbeth through their visions. Lady Macbeth;
just as Eve in the garden of Eden, tempts Macbeth to take part in evil.
Justice: Even though power is temporarily achieved by those that commit evil deeds, the
just and virtuous ultimately prevail. Those that have taken part in evil are seemingly
“punished”. Although Lady Macbeth persuaded others to do her dirty work, she still
suffered by her conscience. She was assailed with visions, hallucinations and madness.
Near her end, she hallucinates that her hands are stained red with blood. Her madness
tears apart her soundness of mind and body. She ultimately commits suicide. Macbeth
also suffers by his conscience. He is unable to enjoy the power that he has gained due to
paranoia and guilt. He is unable to sleep and sees hallucinations of those that he has
wronged. Malcolm, who turns away from revenge, is named ruler over Scotland.
Duality of Man: Inside Macbeth takes place a raging battle between two elements. They
could certainly be described as good and evil, but are not necessarily limited to the two.
Macbeth is not originally prone to committing evil deeds. At the beginning of the story,
he is described as a regular hero. It is only when Macbeth faces the witches’ prophesy
and the persuasion of Lady Macbeth, that he turns toward treachery. Even though he
willingly chose to use the evil means, he still fought with evil inside of himself. Much of
his torment stemmed from his sense of guilt and tendencies toward righteousness. He was
unable to cope with the means he utilized and becomes haunted by the repercussions of
his actions. If he were not torn between the two, he probably wouldn’t have suffered
much after he achieved power. Lady Macbeth betrays her outward appearance as a cold
and calculating conspirator with her inner struggle with what has taken place.
Violence: Violence is strong and frequent in Macbeth. The opening and closing scenes
both take place on the battlefield. Murder is a frequently used method of the characters.
Macbeth murders many, including; Duncan, Macduff’s family, Banquo and the young
stewart. Violence serves as both the cause of and solution to the problems of Macbeth.
Supernatural: Supernatural devices are present throughout Macbeth. Three witches form
a prophecy that lives on throughout Macbeth. Hallucinations and ghosts appear in many
important scenes (i.e. the floating dagger, Banquo’s ghost). The atmosphere is dark and
stormy. With the aid of these items, it seems as if magic or fate is taking place. Most of
the hallucinations appear as references to the Macbeth’s guilt and assured downfall.
II. List shocking scenes (by act, scene, line)
Act 1.7 line 58
-bashing the child's brains.
Act 2.1 lines 31-65
-Dagger is seen floating in the air.
Act 3.4 lines 40-75
-Duncan's ghost is seen very bloody at the dinner table.
Act 4.2 lines 76-81
-Macduff's family is slaughtered.
Act 5.1 lines 1-70
-lady Macbeth sleep walks and then believes her hands are all covered in blood.
III. Lady Macbeth
Nick Jeronimo, Briana Allen, Darin O'Brian, Adrienne French, and Brittany Pratt
Traits and Motivating Factors
- Wants to be a Man
- Removes femininity
- Act 1.5 line 39 "unsex me"
- Only female with any "sway or say" in the entire play
- She is the only female referenced during any feasts or gatherings of men
- Eve-like
- Macbeth hesitates and she convinces him like Eve does Adam with the apple
- Act 1.7 Majority
Power Hungry
- Lady Macbeth questions her husband’s manliness in order to convince him of a few
things
- Act 1.7 line 47
- Act 3.4 line 59
Insanity
- She sees blood on her hands that is not their (possibly blood of the innocents Banquo
and Macduff’s family)
- Act 5.1 line 36
- She then smells the same non-existent blood
- Act 5.1 line 42
- The doctor and Macbeth discuss the subject
- Act 5.3 line 40
- Sleepwalking (both seen and alluded to)
- Act 5.1 Majority
IV. Macbeth
Kendall Donnelly, Nicole Yarabedra, (3 more?)
I. Ambitious
A. Successful general,
1. As the play opens, Macbeth’s heroism is being described to king Duncan
B. Willing to do whatever is necessary to do what is necessary to succeed
1. Commits heinous acts to gain and secure throne
C. Insecure
1.Sexually
a. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth’s sexual performance when he
waivers in his decision to kill Duncan (Act 1, Scene 7)
“…Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valor
As thou art in desire?”
2. With his power
a. Fears (rightfully) of being overthrown, goes to unnecessary
lengths to keep it (Killing Macduff’s wife and child)
3. With his decisions
a. His decisions are never entirely his own (lady Macbeth, The
Weird sisters, conscience)
4. Conscience
a. He knows that what he is doing is wrong, but does it anyway
b. He is so guilt-ridden that he becomes delusional
1a. Sees knife
2a. Sees blood on his hands
3a. Sees Banquo in his seat
D. Brutal
1. Macbeth is a war hero (Act 1, Scene 2)
“…His brandished steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,
...Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops,
And fixed his head upon our battlements.”
2. Murders women, children, and his best friend to secure throne
http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/plays/macbethsubj.html
historical background: The Witch Hunts
http://www.clicknotes.com/macbeth/Themeidx.html