Theme of Macbeth
Aliya Kanani Block 3
Courrption of Power and Masculinity
Macbeth was a civilized Scottish general who never committed any harmful crimes. His three wicked witch sisters, along with Lady Macbeth, convinced Macbeth into killing Duncan by telling him about the prophecy. He became double minded about it before he murdered Duncan in his sleep; “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well It were done quickly” (Act 1 Scene 7) .Lady Macbeth kept encouraging him to go kill Duncan until he finally took off and went to Duncan’s room. When the murder was over, Macbeth was in shock and had guilt. After Duncan’s death, he kept killing others just to cover up his lies. The play portrays that once someone becomes violent for power and they see that they are succeeding to get power, it becomes difficult for them to stop.
This play shows that masculinity plays a huge part in this, especially with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Usually ladies are the ones who discourage violence and do what is right. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth is the one who encourages Macbeth into killing Duncan and fulfilling the prophecy so they can get power. When Macbeth gets worried about what if they fail at murdering Duncan but then Lady Macbeth states, “We, fail? If you get your courage up, we cant fail” (Act 1 Scene 7). Lady Macbeth goes on to talking about how the servants are drunk and they won’t remember anything so they can just blame it on the servants. Then Macbeth replies by saying, “May you only give birth to male children, because you fearless spirit should create nothing that isn’t masculine” (Act 1 Scene 7).
Murder
Prophecy
"To the succeeding royalty he leaves
The healing benediction. With this strange virtue,
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,
And sundry blessings hang about his throne,
That speak him full of grace."