In this play apparent ‘fair’ is often ‘foul’ (I.1.9): hosts are murderers, women are not ‘gentle’ (II.3.80) and men are not ‘of woman born’ (IV.1.79).
2 of 10
Appearances
Lady Macbeth recognises that how she and her husband appear is paramount. They must 'look like the innocent flower / but be the serpent under't' (I.5.63–4).
3 of 10
Power and ambition
Lady Macbeth wants her husband to be king. Macbeth admits his ‘Vaulting ambition’ (I.7.27) is the only cause he has for killing Duncan. Later he becomes tyrannical with his power.
4 of 10
Ambition
Ambition is Macbeth's tragic flaw. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are guilty of this. It is this 'vaulting ambition' (I.7.26) that results in their moral, spiritual and physical demise.
5 of 10
Kingship
In Duncan we see a king who is just and kind. Macbeth is the opposite, ruling through fear and terror.
6 of 10
Blurring of masculine and feminine roles
In contrast to the protective mother role played by Macduff’s wife, Lady Macbeth demands that the spirits ‘unsex me here’ (I.5.39) and claims that she would brutally kill her own child.
7 of 10
Guilt
After murdering Duncan, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both suffer the torment of guilt. As each slowly goes mad, Macbeth is unable to sleep and his wife takes her own life and plagued by the guilt of their actions.
8 of 10
Disorder
In Renaissance times, the Great Chain of Being was believed to hold the world together. By killing Duncan, Macbeth disrupts the natural order in the world.
9 of 10
Virtue
Duncan and his son Malcolm symbolise all that is right and good. When order is restored at the end of the play, grace is also resurrected.
10 of 10
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
In this play apparent ‘fair’ is often ‘foul’ (I.1.9): hosts are murderers, women are not ‘gentle’ (II.3.80) and men are not ‘of woman born’ (IV.1.79).
Back
False appearances
Card 3
Front
Lady Macbeth recognises that how she and her husband appear is paramount. They must 'look like the innocent flower / but be the serpent under't' (I.5.63–4).
Back
Card 4
Front
Lady Macbeth wants her husband to be king. Macbeth admits his ‘Vaulting ambition’ (I.7.27) is the only cause he has for killing Duncan. Later he becomes tyrannical with his power.
Back
Card 5
Front
Ambition is Macbeth's tragic flaw. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are guilty of this. It is this 'vaulting ambition' (I.7.26) that results in their moral, spiritual and physical demise.
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