Themes throughout Macbeth

Question 1

Reality and Appearances, what affect does this have on the audience?

Answer 1

Shakespeare uses this theme to warn the audience not to trust appearances. To imply that nothing is at it seems.
This is a theme central to the play

Question 2

Reality and Appearances, how does Shakespeare illustrate this theme?

Answer 2

Shakespeare uses soliloquy - (an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.) This enables the audience to see the character for who they really are. The audience is able to hear the character’s inner thoughts to discover what they are really like.

Question 3

Supernatural

Answer 3

Witches - huge draw for audiences during Elizabethan times as there was a big interest and belief in witchcraft and supernatural activities

Question 4

Kingship

Answer 4

Duncan is represented as a strong and fair leader who rewards loyalty and wants Scotland to prosper. This contrasts with Macbeth’s violent, tyrannical rule (i.e. exercising power in a cruel way).