James I. was king of England, descendant of Banquo (allegedly), Shakespeare’s patron

a year prior, Guy Fawkes “Gunpowder Plot” took place trying to blow up the parliament and kill the king

witches were seriously feared in the early 1600s in popular beliefs

Any women not stereotypically “feminine” was considered unnatural

Men hat expectations to be violent or cruel

first described as war hero, brave, courageous

Macbeth fears the witches’ prophecy at first, he is afraid of his own amibition

ambition first balanced by his conscience, seen in many soliloquies (reveals multi-dimensionality of his character)

plagued by regret and paranoia after regicide (violated the principle of divine right)

gains power but is paranoid of losing it (”To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” 3,1)

becomes indifferent towards the end, even dismissing his wife’s suicide (”She should have died hereafter”, “Life is but a walking shadow”)

returns to bravery even in defeat against Macduff (”Lay on, Macduff, and damned be him that first cries, hold, enough!” 5,8)

relationship to Lady Macbeth appears trusting and confidential at first, degrades towards total isolation throughout the play

at the time it was unusual for female characters to be so complex and exhibit Lady Macbeth’s traits

appears ruthless, in control, ambitious, manipulative

rids herself of all the stereotypically feminine traits (”Unsex me here…” 1,5), might not have these tendencies by default (just an act?)

doubts start to appear later in the play (”Nought’s had, all’s spent where our desire is got without content’ 3,2)

puts on a show of control at the banquett

drastic change and shift towards mental illness reveal suppression of emotions before

may be written as a cautionary figure for women (striving for traditionally masculine traits but ultimately failing to cope with their consequences)

Macbeth’s fatal flaw (hamartia)

At first ambition and morality are in conflict, Lady Macbeth helps overcome the boundary

Macbeth is conscious that his ambition might spin out of control once he embraces it

since Banquo also displays ambition, Shakespeare might imply that ambition itself is a natural human trait but must be measured to ensure morality

blood symbolizing guilt

insomnia symbolizing guilt

opposing ways to cope with guilt (Lady Macbeth suppresses it at first, Macbeth openly talks about it with ocean-metaphor)

king James and the public were fascinated by the supernatural, hence it was included

Lady Macbeth also appears to be attracted to supernatural powers

supernatural used to define character’s morals (Macbeths used in association with dark forces, Duncan and Macduff associated with god / heaven)

Macbeth’s actions have thrown off nature’s balance (horses eating one another, owls killing falcons…)

Macbeth appears to believe in fate when the witches first issue their prophecy (”If fate will have me king…”)

then, he seemingly mistrusts fate killing Duncan and Banquo’s family

three prophecies reignite his belief in fate, he ultimately falls victim to the witches’ manipulation (may have turned the tide again if not convinced that he would lose because of the prophecies)

“Fair is foul and foul is fair” (Things aren’t what they seem)

Macbeths often have to put on a show (”Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”)

Duncan admits that he can’t read people’s minds based on their faces (relation to the Gunpowder Plot and public fear about disloyality)

Macbeth loses discernment between truth and illusion (Banquo’s ghost)

Act 4, Scene 3 (Malcolm mentions what a “good king” is)

Duncan embodies all traits

Macbeth’s servants move “only in command, not in love” (as opposed to Duncan)

Macbeth is rarely referred to as “king”

power can either be used to protect and serve or to control and destroy

Malcolm becomes king through public support and justice (masculine)

questions masculinity defined by violence and stoicism as it’s usually mentioned before an immoral act

Macduff is seen showing emotion upon the discovery of Duncan’s and his family’s murder, juxtaposes Macbeths cold, ruthless attitude (”I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a man”)

both Banquo and Macduff choose honour and loyalty (masculine)

Men are expected to kill with no hesitation or remorse (murderers of Macduffs family say “We are men, my liege” 3,1)

Lady Macbeth questions Macbeths masculinity and suggests cowardess

women are portrayed as ruthless but unable to kill (Lady Macbeth can’t kill Duncan, witches also operate through intrigue rather than physical action)