('Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.' 'Not so happy, yet much happier.') The news for Banquo is in some ways foul, but with better long-term results, as the Witches themselves acknowledge in Act I, scene 3. Again, changing that to make someone who might have been the King's ancestor more noble and less of a villain was a smart move for someone who relied on the tolerance – and patronage – of the Court. Earlier versions of Macbeth, including the Chronicles written by Raphael Hollinshead, indicated that Banquo was at the very least complicit in the murder of Duncan, if not directly involved. The prophecy to Banquo is not nearly as effusive, but he is told that his male offspring will be kings of Scotland (and, indeed, there was a Banquo who was an ancestor to King James I, so it was a smart move to link that up, whether the Banquo in the play was the same guy or not). Good news from the witches (congratulations – you're going to be Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland!) leads to foul acts on the part of Macbeth, who doesn't want to wait around to see whether the prophecy might in time come true on its own. Remember that - it's a major theme of the play.' And so it is. In my summary of the play, I have the Witches saying 'fair is foul and foul is fair.

The section headings are quotes from the body of the play that essentially state the nature of the theme being discussed. I thought I'd identify and discuss some of them here. The motif of sleep (or sleeplessness) surrounds the tyrants as they struggle to overcome their deeds.KellyrfinemanThere are quite a number of themes, motifs and images that track throughout the play. This links to the theme that things are not what they seem. The order of their rule clashes with the chaos they have caused. Order and disorder surround the new king and queen.

The blood that was spilled because of Macbeth's ambition continuously reappears as a physical reminder that he cannot wash away his evil deeds.Īs his corruption begins to control him, Macbeth and his wife slip out of reality and struggle between sanity and insanity. Ghosts, witches, and spirits are used throughout the play to add a sense of suspicion and suspense. Motifs and Imagery to Look For Supernatural Macbeth and his wife’s personal ambition to control the crown ultimately ends up controlling them. Nature at War with Itself / Man Goes Against his NatureĪnother favorite theme is that nature is ominous and that it foreshadows and mimics what is to become of Macbeth and Macbeth's actions. What you expect is not what will come about. Throughout the play, the idea that ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ is repeated. Themes and Ideas to Discuss Things Are Not What They Seem The visions Macbeth and his wife consistently see throughout the play serve as constant reminders of their ambition and corruption. Since Macbeth's actions weigh heavily on his conscious, it is not surprising that he would have some second thoughts. The recurrence of this motif throughout the play proves its significance. In the example storyboard above, the creator has focused on Shakespeare's use of visions in the play. For best practices, see our supplementary article with specific lesson plan steps on setting up your classroom and activities to teach themes, symbols, and motifs.Īs a classroom activity, students could track the rich symbolism William Shakespeare uses throughout Macbeth. Using a storyboard, students can visually demonstrate their understanding of these concepts, and master analysis of literary elements. However, abstract ideas are often difficult for students to analyze without assistance. Part of the Common Core ELA standards is to introduce and explain these complex concepts.

Themes, symbols, and motifs are valuable aspects of any literary work, and they add richness to stories.

Motifs in macbeth