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Full Play Analysis. Macbeth is a tragedy that tells the story of a soldier whose overriding ambition and thirst for power cause him to abandon his morals and bring about the near destruction of the kingdom he seeks to rule. At first, the conflict is between Macbeth and himself, as he debates whether or not he will violently seize power, and ...
The main theme of Macbeth —the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints—finds its most powerful expression in the play’s two main characters. Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement.
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Did Macbeth always want to be king? Why does Macbeth think the Witches want to help him? Does Lady Macbeth commit suicide? How did Birnam Wood move and why was Macduff able to kill Macbeth? What convinces Macbeth that the Witches' prophecy is true? Why does Banquo not trust the Witches? Why does Macbeth believe he needs to kill King Duncan?
Tone. The tone of the play is fatalistic, creating the sense that the natural world has been thrown out of order by Macbeth’s unnatural ascension to the throne. Violence or the possibility of violence exists throughout, and there are very few light or playful moments.
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