MACBETH ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
The setting is quite dark from the beginning of the play, with gory descriptions. The most
recurring semantic field is that of violence: “blood”, “bloody”, “murder”, “dagger” are some
of the most used words.
At the beginning Macbeth is shown as a hero but soon becomes the villain, driven by the lust
for power and by his wife to perform a violent act.
Madness plays an important role in the lives of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It is the
result of their guilty consciences, for example, after the killing of Banquo Macbeth sees his
ghost, Lady Macbeth is obsessed with the spot of blood she sees on her hands.
Macbeth also has an inner conflict: he allows himself to become a murderer but is troubled
by what he has done and hopes not to have committed. Macbeth’s exploration of her own
emotional responses is the key event that contributes to the tragic effect. His intense
self-awareness makes him appear as a villain but also as a suffering hero, constantly
exposed to his own emotional vulnerability.
Even the witches have a fundamental role in the history as they awake the ambition of
Macbeth. He becomes ambitious when he hears prophecies about becoming king.
Macbeth’s ambition grows so strong that he lets his vicious side of killing free to kill not only
the king but whoever comes his way. His end shows that excessive ambition sometimes
takes humanity out of a person.
ACT I
The tragedy opens in a gloomy Scotland. While crossing the moors after winning the battle,
Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches and utter prophecies. They greet Macbeth as
Baron of Cawdor and foretell that he will become king.
The witches also inform Banquo that he will be the progenitor of a dynasty of kings. The
witches’ prophecy begins to be realised. Immediately Macbeth begins to harbor the ambition
to become king.
Macbeth writes to his wife about the prophecies of the three witches, who devises a plan to
kill King Duncan and ensure the throne of Scotland to her husband.
ACT 2
King Duncan is murdered by Macbeth and the blame is put on the king’s guards sleeping
outside his room. The king’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, leave Scotland fearing for their
lives.
Lady Macbeth speaks of her strength. Macbeth comes after murdering the king and both
assure each other. Macbeth is haunted by his conscience which he says won’t let him sleep
peacefully anymore. Macbeth is now the king.
ACT 3
Macbeth hires two killers to kill Banquo and his son, but Fleance manages to escape. During
the banquet organized just after the murder presents the ghost of Banquo, but only Macbeth
can see. Macbeth is assailed by guilt and begins to behave unreasonably, his wife decides
to interrupt the party and send the guests home.
ACT 4
Macbeth seeks out the witches who makes him another prophecies: no woman born will be
able to kill him and he will never be defeated until the Birman Forest advances towards him.
They also prophesy that the Scottish succession will still come from Banquo's son. Macbeth
embarks on a reign of terror, slaughtering many, including Macduff's family. Macduff
persuades Malcolm (Duncan’s son) to lead an army against Macbeth.
