Macbeth Could he control his evil nature?

THE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS ARE WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME EVIL? IS EVIL A FORCE BEYOND HUMAN UNDERSTANDING? ARE THE FORCES OF EVIL STRONGER THAN THE FORCES OF GOOD?

What is theme ? The central idea or insight about human experience revealed in a work of literature What are some important themes in Macbeth?

One major theme in Macbeth concerns the nature of evil. Shakespeare reinforces this theme by using imagery

What is imagery ? Imagery is language that appeals to the senses What are some of the images in Macbeth that appeal to the theme of evil?

BLOOD “There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody” Donadbain Act 2 sc. iii “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood from my hand” Macbeth Act 2 sc. ii

NIGHT “Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell” Lady Macbeth Act 1 scene 5 “I have seen hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore night hath trifled former knowings Old Man Act 2 scene 4

DARKNESS “By th’ clock ‘tis day, and yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp; Is’t night’s predominance, or the day’s shame, that darkness does the face of earth entomb” Ross Act 2 sc. iv

All these images contribute to the evil deeds committed in the play The murder of Duncan The murder of Banquo The murder of Lady McDuff’s family and Much, much, more

Why did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do evil deeds? WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME EVIL?

IS EVIL A FORCE BEYOND HUMAN UNDERSTANDING? Why did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do what they did? Could all these murders have been prevented?

ARE THE FORCES OF EVIL STRONGER THAN THE FORCES OF GOOD? Think of the ending of the play. Did the forces of good ultimately win? or Will the cycle of evil begin again?