Macbeth: Themes and Characters

Ambition pushes Macbeth from a loyal soldier into a killer. His own phrase, 'vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself', shows he knows his ambition has no real justification behind it.

Ambition pushes Macbeth from a loyal soldier into a killer. His own phrase, 'vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself', shows he knows his ambition has no real justification behind it.

Guilt haunts both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth cannot wash imaginary blood from his hands, and later Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, saying 'out, damned spot', unable to escape her own conscience.

Guilt haunts both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth cannot wash imaginary blood from his hands, and later Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, saying 'out, damned spot', unable to escape her own conscience.

The Witches offer prophecy but never force Macbeth to act. Banquo receives a similar prophecy and does nothing, which suggests Macbeth's choices, not fate alone, drive the tragedy.

The Witches offer prophecy but never force Macbeth to act. Banquo receives a similar prophecy and does nothing, which suggests Macbeth's choices, not fate alone, drive the tragedy.

Lady Macbeth rejects traditional feminine gentleness to push the murder forward, and convinces Macbeth that real manhood means being willing to kill. The play questions whether this idea of courage is really strength at all.

Lady Macbeth rejects traditional feminine gentleness to push the murder forward, and convinces Macbeth that real manhood means being willing to kill. The play questions whether this idea of courage is really strength at all.

The Witches' line 'fair is foul, and foul is fair' warns that appearances lie throughout the play. Macbeth hides murderous intentions behind a friendly welcome, and Duncan is fooled because he cannot read hidden intentions from a face.

The Witches' line 'fair is foul, and foul is fair' warns that appearances lie throughout the play. Macbeth hides murderous intentions behind a friendly welcome, and Duncan is fooled because he cannot read hidden intentions from a face.

Macbeth changes from loyal general to tyrant. Lady Macbeth is more ruthless at first but collapses under guilt before he does. Banquo, given a similar prophecy, resists acting on it, making him a foil who shows what Macbeth could have chosen instead.

Macbeth changes from loyal general to tyrant. Lady Macbeth is more ruthless at first but collapses under guilt before he does. Banquo, given a similar prophecy, resists acting on it, making him a foil who shows what Macbeth could have chosen instead.