THEMES

Question 1

Ambition

Answer 1

To highlight how pursuing ambition excessively can lead to a tragic downfall by being blind to the consequences of one’s actions.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, the witches, Banquo

Question 2

Guilt

Answer 2

To highlight the serious psychological consequences of acting selfishly, no matter how much power you gain.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff

Question 3

Loyalty and Betrayal

Answer 3

To consider the value and the difficulty of trusting others, and the potential benefits and risks of breaking this trust.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Duncan

Question 4

Appearance and Reality

Answer 4

To highlight how deception can be a highly effective way to gain power and to lose it, and that being too trusting may also undermine powerful leadership.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, the witches, Malcolm

Question 5

The supernatural

Answer 5

To explore how the idea of fate and the promise of power provides a fatal catalyst for Macbeth’s ambition and his actions within the play.

Characters: The witches, Banquo, Lady Macbeth

Question 6

Kingship

Answer 6

To explore what it means to be a good monarch, including the reasonable balance between compassion and ruthlessness.

Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Macduff