Major Themes Of Macbeth

With an unpredictable swing up or down, one could equally easily crash to the base of the wheel. Fate, on the other hand, is fixed. In a fatalistic universe, the length and outcome of one's life (destiny) is predetermined by external forces.

The prophecy fans the flames of ambition within Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, serving as the primary impetus for the couple to plot the death of Duncan--and subsequently Banquo.

At first physical remainders of a regrettable crime, the royal blood leaves permanent marks on the psyche of the couple, forever staining them with guilt and remorse.

The three apparitions that the witches summon, for example, are usually taken to be "real" - even if only as supernatural occurrences. But the matter is less clear when it comes to Banquo' ghost.

Even the events leading to the conclusion of the play can be understood as a negotiation of the natural and supernatural.

"Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell / That summons thee to heaven or hell" (II i64); "God's benison go with you, and with those/ That would make good of bad, and friends of foes" (II iv 41-42).

Ambition and temptation both play a key factor in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's decision to kill Duncan. Macbeth possesses enough self-awareness to realize the dangers of overzealous ambition:

Indeed, the story of Macbeth is that of a man who acquiesces in his damnation - in part because he cannot utter words that may attenuate his crime.

Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement.

To Malcolm's suggestion, "Dispute it like a man," Macduff replies, "I shall do so. But I must also feel it as a man" (4.3.221 - 223).