Macbeth's Influences

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Macbeth’s Influences                Samantha Foylan

The play ‘Macbeth’ is written by William Shakespeare. In the play the three witches, Lady Macbeth and his own thoughts and feelings, influence Macbeth. The major themes are ambition and guilt. The other themes are the supernatural, the evil thoughts some characters think, bravery and symbols of good. It is set in the 12th century in Scotland and England. The dialogue is old but it sometimes rhymes and is eventually easy to understand. When I started to read Macbeth I found it hard to follow but after the first couple of scenes I found it easier.

        The witches plan to meet Macbeth. The king finds out the Thane of Cawdor has betrayed him. The title is given to Macbeth. Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches. The key prophecy given by the witches to Macbeth is he will be king. The witches are proved right when Macbeth finds out he is Thane of Cawdor. The king announces his son; Malcolm will be the next king. The king spends the night in Macbeth’s castle. Lady Macbeth is furious. Macbeth kills the king. Macduff finds the king dead. Macbeth kills the two key witnesses. The king’s sons flee to England. Suspicion falls on the king’s sons. Macbeth is the king. Macbeth arranges for Banquo and his son to be killed. Macbeth finds it hard to sleep. Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost. Macduff has gone to England to join the king’s sons. Macbeth prepares for war. The witches give Macbeth more prophecies. War breaks out. Macduff kills Macbeth. Malcolm is the new king.  

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        When the witches are introduced in Act one the theme of supernatural is also introduced because there is thunder and lightning. The quote ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’ alludes to the perverse way in which they find good things bad, and bad things good but it is the initial link with Macbeth, since one of the first things he says is ‘so foul and fair a day I have not seen’. The question of femininity is introduced when Banquo comments ‘you should be woman, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret, that you are so’. It is ...

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