Macbeth key characters and key themes

Question 1

plot summary

Answer 1

Macbeth, a Scottish general, receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred on by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne, only to be wracked with guilt and paranoia. His reign leads to further bloodshed and his eventual downfall.

Question 2

Macbeth

Answer 2

The tragic protagonist, a brave Scottish general whose unchecked ambition leads him to murder, tyranny, and eventual destruction.

Question 3

Lady Macbeth

Answer 3

Macbeth’s wife, who is even more ambitious than her husband and plays a pivotal role in convincing him to murder Duncan. Her guilt later drives her to madness.

Question 4

three witches

Answer 4

Supernatural beings who prophesize Macbeth’s rise to power and downfall. They symbolize fate and temptation.

Question 5

King Duncan

Answer 5

The good and rightful King of Scotland, whose murder marks the beginning of Macbeth’s descent into tyranny.

Question 6

Banquo

Answer 6

Macbeth’s friend and fellow general, whose descendants are prophesied to inherit the throne. Macbeth has him murdered out of fear but Banquo’s ghost haunts him.

Question 7

Macduff

Answer 7

A Scottish nobleman who opposes Macbeth and ultimately kills him, representing justice and revenge.

Question 8

Theme of Ambition

Answer 8

Ambition is portrayed as a dangerous force, driving Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to commit heinous acts. Unchecked ambition leads to their destruction.

Question 9

Theme of Guilt

Answer 9

Guilt haunts both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after their crimes. Macbeth sees visions (like Banquo’s ghost), while Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and obsessively tries to wash imagined bloodstains from her hands.

Question 10

Power and Corruption

Answer 10

Macbeth’s lust for power leads him to commit regicide and other murders. His rule becomes tyrannical, and power ultimately corrupts him.

Question 11

Blood Symbolism

Answer 11

Blood is a recurring symbol of guilt. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel they are stained by the blood of their victims, unable to cleanse themselves of their sins.

Question 12

Significance of Sleep

Answer 12

Sleep symbolizes innocence, peace, and a clear conscience. After killing Duncan, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both plagued by sleeplessness, reflecting their inner turmoil and guilt.

Question 13

Kingship and Divine Right

Answer 13

The murder of King Duncan, a just and divinely appointed ruler, upsets the natural order and leads to chaos in Scotland. The play reflects the belief in the divine right of kings — that the king was chosen by God, and killing him was a crime against nature and the divine order.

Question 14

Role of the Supernatural

Answer 14

The witches and their prophecies introduce the supernatural element in the play, representing forces beyond human control. Their influence raises questions about predestination versus free will.

Question 15

Significance of Duncan’s Murder

Answer 15

Duncan’s murder is the pivotal event that leads to Macbeth’s rise to power but also initiates his moral and psychological decline.

Question 16

Use of Soliloquies

Answer 16

Soliloquies, particularly Macbeth’s, allow the audience insight into his thoughts and moral conflicts. His famous “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” speech reflects his existential despair.

Question 17

Ending of the Play

Answer 17

Macbeth is killed by Macduff, and Malcolm, Duncan’s son, is restored to the throne, restoring order to Scotland.