Macbeth Summary
Greed, Ambition, lust, courage, status, pride
These words are the themes that are present in Macbeth, these themes shape the play and its characters. In the case of the character Macbeth, he is seen as a courageous soldier that is obviously held in high esteem by his fellow peers, however after meeting the mysterious three witches, an eerie sense of fate settles itself into the play. Macbeth was told by the witches that he will be thane of Cawdor, as well as king, driven with ambition; Macbeth doesn't even question his "fate" but rather sees the way he will achieve this title.
Murder.
When Macbeth returns to the castle, he is promoted to the Thane of Cawdor, which leads Macbeth to believe what the witches said was true, and now he seeks the title of King.Lady Macbeth is the instigator of these terrible plots to help Macbeth achieve his fate. A cruel callous woman that only serves as an object of lust, seeks the ambition and status that she so desires. Macbeth (being the brave soldier he is) starts to question whether these crimes should take place, he doesn't want to commit murder.
However, driven by the manipulative words of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth succumbs to the pressure of the insults, and commits his first act of murder.
Banquo, Macbeth's dearest friend is the first victim of Macbeth's fate.
And so it continues, a killing spree. A brave soldier turned into a killing machine, working his way up the ladder to "success". Eventually the death of King Duncan comes about, a "mysterious" occurrence that baffles the people of Inverness. Surely it was not brave and valiant Macbeth. Instead the people blamed the servants, who had no recollection of that nights of events and were too drunk with poison to care. The obstacles for Macbeth were becoming less and less, as the King's sons conveniently fled the country in fear of being accused for the murder of king Duncan (because they were next in line for the throne).
And suddenly Macbeth's fate is set, for he is then crowned the King. Macbeth has all he desires now, he has his throne, Lady Macbeth (who is also conveniently a cruel murder/perfect match), his status and the ambitious dream he so desired. However this delirious dream came true, presents one issue, that of insanity. Lady Macbeth was in a slight state of delirium at the start of the play, her cold façade of ambition and greed cracks under the pressure of her crimes. Not only did she push Macbeth to commit the murders to attain his "fate", but she questioned his true self, she questioned his bravery. These insults on his bravery affected his perception of bravery. Is it brave to murder someone? Well Lady Macbeth presumed that murder was the worthiest title of a man, the ultimate act of bravery. It was really just an act of cold-blooded murder that was a result of the greed embedded in their aspirations.
Prior to Lady Macbeth going insane (more insane), there are quotes that reflect the inner thoughts and motives of Lady Macbeth. Some of these include:
" Come, you spirits that asist murderous thoughts, make me less like a woman and more like a man, and fill me from head to toe with deadly cruelty! Thicken my blood and clog up my veins so I won’t feel remorse, so that no human compassion can stop my evil plan or prevent me from accomplishing it!" (This is when Lady Macbeth hypes herself up about killing Banquo, Act 1 Scene 5)
"You should look like an innocent flower, but be like the snake that hides underneath the flower. The king is coming, and he’s got to be taken care of. Let me handle tonight’s preparations, because tonight will change every night and day for the rest of our lives." (This is Lady Macbeth telling Macbeth how to act around King Duncan and not arouse suspicion, Act 1 Scene 5)
"Were you drunk when you seemed so hopeful before? Have you gone to sleep and woken up green and pale in fear of this idea? From now on this is what I’ll think of your love. Are you afraid to act the way you desire? Will you take the crown you want so badly, or will you live as a coward, always saying “I can’t” after you say “I want to”? You’re like the poor cat in the old story." (Lady Macbeth insulting Macbeth's Bravery, Act 1 Scene 7)
Lady Macbeth commits suicide, due to her insanity.
Macbeth isn't bothered by the death of Lady Macbeth as much as he should, this could indicate the heartlessness that the murders have inflicted upon him. This again provides a comparison to the brave soldier he once was and the heartless person he has become. Murder is no longer an issue for him now. But his feelings of security in his throne are soon discarded, an army of trees comes his way(people dressed as trees).
The fight begins, his secrets are soon to be known and he will proceed to commit more murder. But Macbeth is still feeling safe because his fate said that he could not be killed by anyone born of a woman. Murder is now the new talent of "brave" and "valiant" Macbeth.
Plot twist.
So Macbeth's prophecy stated that Macbeth cold not be killed by anyone born of a woman, who would expect Macduff(the thane of Fife, and also a dear friend of the deceased King Duncan), obviously born of a woman, to kill Macbeth. But Macduff was not born from a woman, he was born by caesarean, therefore not born of a woman. Macbeth is beheaded and obviously dead.
Malcolm becomes the new king and justice prevails as order is restored. The end.
These words are the themes that are present in Macbeth, these themes shape the play and its characters. In the case of the character Macbeth, he is seen as a courageous soldier that is obviously held in high esteem by his fellow peers, however after meeting the mysterious three witches, an eerie sense of fate settles itself into the play. Macbeth was told by the witches that he will be thane of Cawdor, as well as king, driven with ambition; Macbeth doesn't even question his "fate" but rather sees the way he will achieve this title.
Murder.
When Macbeth returns to the castle, he is promoted to the Thane of Cawdor, which leads Macbeth to believe what the witches said was true, and now he seeks the title of King.Lady Macbeth is the instigator of these terrible plots to help Macbeth achieve his fate. A cruel callous woman that only serves as an object of lust, seeks the ambition and status that she so desires. Macbeth (being the brave soldier he is) starts to question whether these crimes should take place, he doesn't want to commit murder.
However, driven by the manipulative words of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth succumbs to the pressure of the insults, and commits his first act of murder.
Banquo, Macbeth's dearest friend is the first victim of Macbeth's fate.
And so it continues, a killing spree. A brave soldier turned into a killing machine, working his way up the ladder to "success". Eventually the death of King Duncan comes about, a "mysterious" occurrence that baffles the people of Inverness. Surely it was not brave and valiant Macbeth. Instead the people blamed the servants, who had no recollection of that nights of events and were too drunk with poison to care. The obstacles for Macbeth were becoming less and less, as the King's sons conveniently fled the country in fear of being accused for the murder of king Duncan (because they were next in line for the throne).
And suddenly Macbeth's fate is set, for he is then crowned the King. Macbeth has all he desires now, he has his throne, Lady Macbeth (who is also conveniently a cruel murder/perfect match), his status and the ambitious dream he so desired. However this delirious dream came true, presents one issue, that of insanity. Lady Macbeth was in a slight state of delirium at the start of the play, her cold façade of ambition and greed cracks under the pressure of her crimes. Not only did she push Macbeth to commit the murders to attain his "fate", but she questioned his true self, she questioned his bravery. These insults on his bravery affected his perception of bravery. Is it brave to murder someone? Well Lady Macbeth presumed that murder was the worthiest title of a man, the ultimate act of bravery. It was really just an act of cold-blooded murder that was a result of the greed embedded in their aspirations.
Prior to Lady Macbeth going insane (more insane), there are quotes that reflect the inner thoughts and motives of Lady Macbeth. Some of these include:
" Come, you spirits that asist murderous thoughts, make me less like a woman and more like a man, and fill me from head to toe with deadly cruelty! Thicken my blood and clog up my veins so I won’t feel remorse, so that no human compassion can stop my evil plan or prevent me from accomplishing it!" (This is when Lady Macbeth hypes herself up about killing Banquo, Act 1 Scene 5)
"You should look like an innocent flower, but be like the snake that hides underneath the flower. The king is coming, and he’s got to be taken care of. Let me handle tonight’s preparations, because tonight will change every night and day for the rest of our lives." (This is Lady Macbeth telling Macbeth how to act around King Duncan and not arouse suspicion, Act 1 Scene 5)
"Were you drunk when you seemed so hopeful before? Have you gone to sleep and woken up green and pale in fear of this idea? From now on this is what I’ll think of your love. Are you afraid to act the way you desire? Will you take the crown you want so badly, or will you live as a coward, always saying “I can’t” after you say “I want to”? You’re like the poor cat in the old story." (Lady Macbeth insulting Macbeth's Bravery, Act 1 Scene 7)
Lady Macbeth commits suicide, due to her insanity.
Macbeth isn't bothered by the death of Lady Macbeth as much as he should, this could indicate the heartlessness that the murders have inflicted upon him. This again provides a comparison to the brave soldier he once was and the heartless person he has become. Murder is no longer an issue for him now. But his feelings of security in his throne are soon discarded, an army of trees comes his way(people dressed as trees).
The fight begins, his secrets are soon to be known and he will proceed to commit more murder. But Macbeth is still feeling safe because his fate said that he could not be killed by anyone born of a woman. Murder is now the new talent of "brave" and "valiant" Macbeth.
Plot twist.
So Macbeth's prophecy stated that Macbeth cold not be killed by anyone born of a woman, who would expect Macduff(the thane of Fife, and also a dear friend of the deceased King Duncan), obviously born of a woman, to kill Macbeth. But Macduff was not born from a woman, he was born by caesarean, therefore not born of a woman. Macbeth is beheaded and obviously dead.
Malcolm becomes the new king and justice prevails as order is restored. The end.