Macbeth Themes/symbols

Unchecked ambition

The theme of excessive, extreme or uncontrollable desire for success, power, or wealth

Appearance vs. reality

The theme in which people and events are often not as they seem

Fate vs. free will

The theme in which we have a predetermined path but our choices determine where we end up. And in which our end is already determined, our choices just influence how fast we get there

The effects of guilt

The theme in feeling a certain emotion due to the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime (ex. hallucinations)

Gender roles/ relationship

The theme that focuses on societal norms of men and women

Blood

Symbol of guilt and death, it is used to show how the Macbeths each react differently to it and reveals how different their minds work

Dagger

Symbol of guilt and hallucination, it symbolizes the treacherous and doomed path that Macbeth will travel for the rest of the play,

Sleep

The symbol of peace and tranquillity, shows the disruption of peace when there is a lack of this

Light vs. dark

A symbol of innocence and often holiness vs. the symbol of evil spirits calling for murder