Karina Castillo

Period 3, Angus

English Honors

11/21/14

Macbeth - Analysis - Theme

The tragedy of Macbeth begins with three witches discussing Macbeth. Macbeth and

Banquo are returning home, they meet the witches. The three witches foretell a prophecy in

which Macbeth will become thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. As for Banquo, he will

never be King but his children will rule. Unsure of the witches, they continue on, believing they

were crazy ladies. However, men come up to them and congratulate Macbeth on becoming thane

of Cawdor. This convinces Macbeth to believe that his other half of the prophecy of him

becoming King might be true. Duncan plans to stay at Macbeths castle for a feast and Macbeth

writes to his wife Lady Macbeth, letting her know all that has happened. Lady Macbeth is

overcome with the possibility that her her husband might become king, so she persuades

Macbeth into murdering Duncan. When Duncans sons hear of their fathers death, they flee,

scared that they might be murdered too. Once he takes over the throne, he feels as if he is unsafe

so Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his sons so the witches prophecy doesnt come

true. However, one of his sons escapes and prepares to fight against Macbeth. While preparing to

fight, Macbeth hears news that Lady Macbeth has killed herself . Macbeth is beheaded by

Macduff, leaving Macduff as the King of Scotland. Throughout the tragedy, Macbeths attempts
to elude the inevitable end horribly, through Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Duncan, Shakespeare

suggests the idea that illusion ends in tragedy.

Upon the opening act of the play, the witches are conspiring about Macbeth. They conclude,

Fair is foul, and foul is fair. (1.1.12) The way something is perceived, is not necessarily what it

actually is. Macbeth is vulnerable and once he sees that the prophecies are coming true, he

believes it. They witches are telling Macbeth of a prophecy predicting his life. He thinks that

they are lying at first but they arent. It attempt to be fair, it ends in foul and vice versa. Illusion

is ever present throughout Macbeth and

While Duncan is clueless of Macbeths motives, he expresses, This castle hath a pleasant

seat, the air/ Nimbly and sweet recommends itself unto our gentle senses. (1.6.1-3) Lady

Macbeth is already planning to murder Duncan, their attempt to elude him ends in the self

destruction of Macbeth. Macbeth has agreed to murder Duncan due to the convincing of his wife,

Lady Macbeth. Upon giving into her he sighs, False face must hide what the false heart doth

know. (1.7.83) Macbeths guilty conscious reflects upon his statement to his wife, describing

the act of lying. Ultimately, Macbeths hamartia is his lust for power. Macbeth begins to go crazy

and decides to have Banquo and his sons murdered, and hires a murderer.

After their fathers murder, Donalbain admits to Malcolm, Theres daggers in mens

hearts, (2.3.58) Now without a father, Donalbain expresses they can not trust anyone anymore.

Donalbains father is murdered by Macbeth. He runs away with his brother Malcolm, hoping to

escape whoever murdered his father. In the end, running away never fixes anything.
 Works Cited

Durband, Alan. Macbeth. New York: Barron's Educational Series, 1985. Print.