Symbolism
This symbol represents the time when a person is at a peaceful state of mind. As shown in the play, both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth grapple with this symbol as their previous acts of murdering Duncan and plotting to kill Banquo leave them in a state of turmoil. In turn, they, especially Lady Macbeth, experience several nightmares that cause them to have a difficult time coming to terms with the guilt on their conscience.
What is sleep?
This theme is most likely the easiest to identify, as almost the entirety of Macbeth's storyline reflects this idea. Macbeth's desire for power and the lack of restrictions put in place for his drive enables death and the devolving of his life to occur. By vigorously seeking power and the position of king, Macbeth ultimately loses who he is as a person and disregards those who he once felt loyal too, leaving him to defend for himself by the end of the play.
What is rampant ambition?
This character initially comes off as determined, inhumane, and more powerful than some of the other characters. She pushes Macbeth to commit a heinous act that creates a ripple effect of more murder and tragedy. While this personality is very influential, as the play endures, she begins to break down and question her actions because of their effect on her future. She is constantly worrying about getting caught for the murder of Duncan and remains regretful, but not remorseful. In the end, she commits suicide.
What is Lady Macbeth?
This first literary device is defined as the comparison of two unlike things incorporating the words "like" or "as". An example of this is present when the witches are introduced and their evil personalities are unveiled. The text states, "I'll drain him dry as hay" (Shakespeare 1.3.15).
This second literary device is defined as the comparison of two unlike things. The first literary device falls under this category, along with many others, as it acts as an "umbrella". An example of this is shown when Macbeth discusses his feelings towards Banquo and Fleance. The text states, "There the grown serpent lies. The worm that's fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed; / No teeth for th' present" (Shakespeare 3.4.30-32).
What is simile/metaphor?
This component of the Elizabethan Era was extremely prominent as an entire group of people were being discriminated against. The people in this group typically belonged to their husbands, brothers, or fathers and were barred from owning any land or property unless they were widowed. Concerning the booming theatre industry, they were restricted from playing any roles on stage, leading men to consume the profession of acting and take on roles most might not expect.
What is the poor treatment of women?
This symbol initially represents fear but later evolves into a symbol of evil. After Duncan's murder, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth claim that the apprehension of being caught has taken a toll on them, stating that they have only partially resolved the issue. While they have eliminated Duncan, the chances of them getting away with murder are still up in the air. Later on, Macbeth demonstrates that this symbol means evil, as he compares it to Banquo, stating that he has the opportunity and means to expose him.
What is snake/serpent?
While this theme may be more commonly seen through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, it is still an extremely influential factor when it comes to the plot. Despite Lady Macbeth's role in the murder of Duncan, both her and Macbeth find themselves drowning in this feeling. Their overwhelming fear of being discovered leads them to regret the acts they committed. Ultimately, this feeling drives Macbeth to continue killing because he disregards it as a result of being "too far gone" and it pushes Lady Macbeth to commit suicide, since the feelings are too powerful. Finally, this is also seen through the actions of Macduff in the end, as he believes that avenging the death of his family will erase this feeling from clouding his life.
What is guilt?
This character is the beacon of hope for Scotland in their battle against Macbeth. After being the only one to catch onto the clue that Macbeth felt "forced" to kill Duncan's guards, he seeks help from English generals, Northumberland and Siward, to help him and Scotland dethrone Macbeth. In the end, he is the one to behead Macbeth after proving the final prophecy of being born from a cesarean section.
What is Macduff?
This literary device is defined as giving human qualities to something not human. An example of this is shown in Macbeth when they describe the upset in the natural world as a result of God's "right hand man" being killed. The text states, "By th' clock 'tis day, / And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp" (Shakespeare 2.4.6-7).
What is personification?
This aspect of the Elizabethan Era left many children literate and allowed for learning to become a major priority for the future. While this wasn't offered to everyone, many of the middle class boys began to study the English language and even attended places called "petty schools". These schools taught them at a young age how to properly behave while also teaching them about certain school subject using materials such as hornbooks.
What is the greater focus on education?
This symbol represents long-lasting grief for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. One key moment where it is included is immediately after the murder of Duncan, as Macbeth compares it to washing his hands and the color of the sea. This washing of the hands with water is also demonstrated as a symbol, representing the cleansing of sins. Regardless, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth fear that they can never wipe the slate clean or avoid being discovered, represented by this "permanent" symbol.
What is blood?
This theme appears throughout the play but is especially prevalent in dialogue between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Lady Macbeth typically attacks Macbeth's masculinity in attempts to coerce him into following through with what she wants. Specific examples of this are prior to the murder of Duncan and the dinner party where Macbeth begins to hallucinate Banquo's ghost. Additionally, this theme is seen when Macduff leaves Lady Macduff out of his plans to enlist the help of English troops and Lady Macduff ultimately shows her femininity through her thoughts of fleeing.
What is gender roles?
These characters come off as purely evil, with this being shown through their brutal nature and ugly features. They provide both Banquo and Macbeth with prophecies that demonstrate their futures. While Banquo is told his kids will become king, Macbeth is told that he, himself, will rise through the ranks until being crowned king. Later on, Macbeth comes back to these characters to receive more prophecies, where he is shown an armed head, a bloody child, and a crowned child who is holding a tree in his hand.
What is the witches?
This literary device is defined as directly addressing an object or idea while using personification. An example of this is demonstrated when Macbeth hallucinates a dagger. The text states, "Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch / thee" (Shakespeare 2.1.33-35).
What is apostrophe?
During this time, poverty increased and in turn, led to the creation of this legislation. This legislation mainly focused on putting separate parishes in charge of supporting those who weren't well off through the collection of taxes, called the "poor rate", on property owners. These impoverished individuals were split into three separate groups known as the helpless poor (those who had no personal fault for living in poverty), able bodied poor (those who wanted to work), and vagabonds (those who begged). While the helpless and the able bodied poor were paid through the poor rate, vagabonds were severely punished in public and were considered enemies of the government.
What is the poor laws?
This symbol represents one of the over-arching themes of good vs. evil. It is incorporated into every scene and demonstrates the emotions associated with a certain event or character. While one part of it is shown with Banquo and Fleance holding a torch, the other is represented through a solar eclipse and the discussion of the moon.
What is light vs. dark?
This theme envelopes the idea that people and events can be apart of two distinct groups represented by the light and the dark. While those demonstrated through the light, such as Banquo and Fleance with a torch, are morally just and selfless, those shown through the dark, like the witches with a thunder storm, are purely dangerous, awful beings. This theme ultimately informs the audience as to how each character should be perceived and what personality they bear.
What is good vs. evil?
This moral character tends to think things through and is very cautious when it comes to unknown forces. While he receives a prophecy from the witches regarding his son's future, he doesn't try everything to make it come true, but instead warns Macbeth of the witches' intentions. As the play endures, he reminds Macbeth to be honest, but he ultimately becomes suspicious of Macbeth and his quick journey to royalty. Macbeth takes notice of this and has this character killed, leaving behind a son named Fleance.
What is Banquo?
This "element" is defined as characters who are essentially the same but react differently when faced with the same moral dilemma. In specific to the play, Banquo is represented as this character as both him and Macbeth are presented with prophecies, but they choose to navigate them in varying ways. While Macbeth takes things into his own hands and strives to make them come true (representing his ambition), Banquo lets time take it's course and grows wary of the witches' intentions (representing his morality).
What is foil?
Regarding the clothing during this time, these laws restricted and assigned certain dress codes for varying levels of society. Queen Elizabeth I modeled these laws after what had previously been set in place in England and clearly distinguished what everyone was allowed to wear. While royalty were the only ones allowed to wear purple and dress extravagantly, the poor were forced to wear simple garments that coincided with their professions. The purpose of these laws, as stated by Elizabeth, was to limit the money being spent on clothing.
What is sumptuary laws?
This symbol represents a variety of things, as each separate one has an individual meaning. In the beginning, Macbeth sees a dagger which represents the impending act of murder that he is about to commit. Second, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo at a dinner party, demonstrating the guilt that he still has over the murder of Duncan. Finally, the witches provide Macbeth with three of these things (an armed head, a bloody child, and a crowned child holding a tree). The armed head symbolizes Macduff preparing for battle, while the bloody child symbolizes the idea that Macduff was born from a cesarean section and is therefore, not born from a woman. Finally, the crowned child with a tree in his hand represents the nature in which Macduff and the English troops will attack Macbeth's castle.
What is visions/hallucinations?
This major theme leads many characters, especially Macbeth, to believe they know the truth when it comes to certain situations. This theme envelops the idea of how our eyes may deceive us and leave us believing the wrong thing. While it initially appears in the witches' dialogue during Act 1, it is woven throughout the entirety of the play and even contributes to Macbeth's downfall. He has his mind set on incorrect beliefs for what the last three prophecies mean, enabling him to become vulnerable and fall at the hands of Macduff.
What is not everything is what it seems?
This ambitious character is who the play revolves around. In the beginning of the play, while he is extremely loyal and hesitant to do any wrong, the prophecies lead him to change and become a man who is solely driven by the opportunity for power. As the play goes on, his moral compass fully degrades, causing him to kill people he trusted and ignore those he loved. His reliance on the prophecies and his mindset of being too far gone is ultimately what enables for his defeat by Macduff, the man representing the Scottish people and their disdain for the tyrant this character had become.
What is Macbeth?
This common literary archetype is defined as someone who has a position of "high status", but ultimately falls from great heights as a result of a tragic flaw and the making of an irreversible mistake. One of the most frequently debated characters regarding this archetype is Macbeth, as many question whether he or the witches are responsible for his disastrous ending.
What is a "tragic hero"?
During this time, there was a trend of blaming harmful or confusing events on this specific "group of people". Whether it was the disappearance of cattle or the spread of a disease, many associated women, especially single women, as being one of these. As a result, laws were passed that allowed people to torture and hang those who they accused of using a special ability to murder others. Trials were held in several places and most of the accused ended up being charged guilty, leading to the death of several people.
What is witchcraft/witches?