Evidence of Themes and Symbols Flashcards
Where is the symbol of weather evident in the play?
The quote, “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and dark desires” (I.1.57-58) from Macbeth. He indicates how his wickedness and supernaturality calls for the stars to stop shining, something extremely unnatural.
The quote, “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” (I.1.2). Thunder and lighting foreshadow in the supernatural in the play.
Where is the symbol of blood evident in the play?
The quote, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand?” (II.2.58-59) from Macbeth. The stain of innocent blood on his hand may be cleaned by water, but its toll on his soul has stained him with guilt forever.
The quote, “Out, damned spot; out, I say. One, two,—why, then ’tis time to do’t… Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” from Lady Macbeth. She hallucinates about the innocent blood of King Duncan not rubbing off from her skin. It symbolises the stain of guilt on her soul.
Where is the symbol of sleep evident in the play?
The quote, “Macbeth does murder sleep” (II.2.34) as whispered by a voice to Macbeth. Sleep symbolizes innocence, purity, and peace of mind, and in killing Duncan Macbeth actually does murder sleep: Lady Macbeth begins to sleepwalk, and Macbeth is haunted by his nightmares.
Where is the theme of ambition evident in the play?
In the characterisation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth allows his ambition to overwhelm him, and transform him into murdering, paranoid maniac. He premeditates the murder of Malcom before even killing Duncan and shows no hesitance in the murder of Banquo and others after he has become king.
Lady Macbeth displays her ambition by projecting it onto her husband. A woman in the Elizabethan Era could not possibly fulfill her ambition to become royalty through regicide without the assistance of a man; in which she achieves through manipulation.
Where is the theme of fate evident in the play?
The theme of fate transitioned from a choice of Macbeth’s to the fortelling of a tyrannical rulers demise. He was not compelled to become king, but his undoing was fortold. There are consequences for his actions.
Fate is true in the play as Macduff fulfills the prophecy that someone born not from their mother’s womb is to kill Macbeth. It conveys how fate had cultivated the rise and fall of Macbeth to be king. “Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped” (V.8.16).
Fate is true in the play as the Birnam Woods did in fact vanquish him. “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him.” (IV.1.92-93).
Fate is not true in the play as Macbeth’s rise to regicide was due to his own decision making. The witches had only planted the idea in his head that he will be king, they did not compel him to do anything. Fleance was not crowned in the play.
Where is the theme of the Chain of Being and the supernatural evident in the play?
Duncan and Malcolm use nature metaphors when they speak of kingship—they see themselves as gardeners and want to make their realm grow and flower. In contrast, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth either try to hide from nature “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and dark desires” (I.4.57-58) or to use nature to hide their cruel designs “Look like th’ innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t” (I.5.56-58).
Once the Chain of Being is disrupted by Macbeth’s tyranny, the kingdom lunges into chaos. Animals eat each other, incredible storms rage, and the earth tremors.
Malcom’s army hide in the Birnam Woods before attacking Macbeth’s army. This symbolises the natural order fighting against the supernatural. Once Macbeth is defeated, Malcom is crowned, restoring the Chain of Being.
