Themes of Act One in Macbeth

Appearance vs. Reality

In Macbeth this theme is very prevalent. Many of the characters in Macbeth act a certain way to get what they want but actually have a secret agenda. A key example is Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth sucks up to Macbeth, “Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter”(1.5.52-53). She acts nice and loving but she actually has a secret agenda. She knows she needs to kill King Duncan in order for Macbeth to become king. This theme can be summarized by this Machiavelli quote, “It is not essential that a prince have good qualities, but it is essential they seem to have them.” Lady Macbeth needs to seem to appear nice but we all know she isn’t.

Gender Roles

In these times, men were often portrayed as tough, strong and bold whereas women were portrayed as loving, caring, and weak. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is at war fighting for Scotland. When Macbeth and Banquo come back they are applauded for their excellent efforts and bravery on the battlefield. While the men are off fighting, the females are at home waiting for their men to return. In this context, the women are not portrayed as brave and heroic. However, Shakespeare sometimes switches these gender roles. For example, Lady Macbeth might seem innocent and weak but actually is the one pulling the strings. She is the one who devises a plan to kill King Duncan so Macbeth can be king. Lady Macbeth says to herself, “Come, you spirts That tend on my mortal thoughts, un sex me here”(1.5.38-39). While Macbeth thinks to himself, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function.” The two both have the thought of killing King Duncan ,but Macbeth without the help of Lady Macbeth, wouldn’t be able to will himself to do such a thing.

Loyalty and Honor

In Macbeth ,loyalty and honor often come with some irony. At first Macbeth achieves honor by being loyal to his leaders. Then there comes a point where to become a higher rank such as king Macbeth needs to betray someone he was once loyal to. Macbeth is promoted from Thane of Glamis to Thane of Cawdor because of his loyalty and bravery while fighting for Scotland. The old Thane of Cawdor is executed because he was disloyal. Thanks to the three witches prophecy Macbeth knows he will be king one day. All that stands in his way is King Duncan, who is the same person who promoted him. Also the three witches said Banquo’s son would be king one day. Macbeth and Banquo were loyal to each other but in order for Macbeth to ensure he becomes king, he needs to kill Banquo’s son. This ties in with a quote from Machiavelli, “The ends justify the means.” In a sense, Macbeth has to decide what will he will do in order to become king.