Macbeth+Theme+Paragraphs

Ambition Macbeth has the ambition to become king regardless of the immorality he must amass. Lady Macbeth is ambitious as she unsexes herself and vows to help her husband at all costs. However she cannot follow through with it. Interestingly Banquo hears the witches' prophecy along with Macbeth but does not heed it as Macbeth does. Ambition seems to go with manhood. Ambition seems like it can be narcotic.

Free Will vs. Fate The battle between fate and free will are of constant topic in classic literature. In "Macbeth", Shakespeare tests the patience and trust of a young man, once again, in the face of his destiny. Macbeth doesn't trust the witches. He believes them; otherwise, he would've followed Banquo's lead and brushed their words off his shoulders. However, it is the lack of trust that causes him to act. By trying to control his own fate, Macbeth sets in motion his own destruction, perhaps a different path, a different destiny. I like to think that he would have become king, had he removed himself from the situation and let life happen as it would have. I like to look at Macbeth as a lesson of how to let things go, and trust in one's beliefs. Perhaps his murder and need to become king is seen as a violation of his bargain with fate, and his downfall is the universe's way of punishing him, his own version of karma.

Manhood In terms of manhood, Shakespeare utilizes the play to juxtapose two kinds of men: Macduff and Macbeth. Macbeth demonstrates ambition, dedication to his wife, and success in the battlefield. However, he also exhibits a constant drive to push away guilt, fear, and humility, as well as a constant mein of arrogance and selfishness. Macduff, on the other hand, is a man who abandons his family and wife. However, he abandons them for the good of his country, and upon discovering their murders, allows himself to grieve and feel guilt. Shakespeare demonstrates that there is a way to be a man, strong, dedicated to one's country, and a man, grieving and guilty for abandonment. Additionally, Shakespeare adds responsibility to the list of manly characteristics. Both men demonstrate this quality: Macduff lets himself grieve over his family, as his abandonment most likely resulted in their deaths; and Macbeth himself refuses to kill Macduff, claiming he already has too much blood on his hands. He takes responsibility for his actions. He does not run or hide.

Power Shakespeare's purpose of power as a theme in "Macbeth" is to send a message about the throne in countries such as Scotland, or England, where Shakespeare originates. He shows people that every man who ends up in the royal seat, whether good or bad, ends up imperfect in some way. Duncan is a jolly ole fellow, sure, but he does not hold a connection to his people. He does not fight for them on the battlefield. He does not feel the weight of their deaths. Malcolm, who claims he'd be a tyrant of a king, is really just a coward. He flees his country in fear of death, rather than taking leadership over his people and restoring order. Macbeth is a tyrant before he even gets the throne. Interestingly enough, Macbeth is a good guy prior to receiving the crown. He's a valiant fighter. He cares about his country and his people. He loves his wife. He's level headed. But the idea of the crown itself is enough to corrupt him before he even handles it. The play ends with Macduff in the same place as Macbeth in the beginning. So, is Shakespeare telling us that Macduff is set up to be another Macbeth, another corrupt leader. There is no such thing as a perfect leader.

Violence Violence is prevalent in "Macbeth" from the first scene to the last, giving the play a rather ruthless theme of gore and cruelty. However, in the play there are three distinct kinds of violence: the civil way to kill on the battlefield, Macbeth's ruthless, inhumane murders to power, and Macduff's noble, necessary vengeance. Many modern political views see war as cruel and unnecessary; however, Shakespeare makes war death look natural and almost civil. In the setting of "Macbeth", violence has a role in the natural world (perhaps not Macbeth's cruel, blind murders). If one looks at nature objectively, violence is prevalent even in the most natural relationships: predator versus prey, natural disasters, the life cycle, etc. Perhaps the violence in the natural world and in Macbeth's world are present to balance out the good. Good doesn't have real meaning unless there's something lesser to compare it to.