[الــــدب]

Macbeth in context
Shortest and bloodiest tragedy, Macbeth a Scottish general who receives a prophecy from a three witches that one day he will become king. Macbeth murders King Duncan and seizes the throne for himself, propels Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to arrogance, madness, and death.

major conflict
Ambitious Macbeth struggles with his conscinece before and after he murders Duncan; evil [Macbeth and Lady Macbeth] struggles with good {Malcolm and Macduff].

plot overview
Three witches predict Macbeth will be king followed by Banquo's heirs; Macbeth kills Duncan; Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son; Malcolm and Macduff petition for help against tyrant Macbeth; Lady Macbeth kills herself, Macduff kills Macbeth, Malcolm becomes king

Act I
After the witches' prophecy that Macbeth will become king, Lady Macbeth convinces him totake matters into his own hands and kill the current King Duncan.

Act II
With Lady Macbeth's help, Macbeth kills Duncan and takes the throne.

Act III
Macbeth has Banquo killed, but Macduff and Malcolm are preparing to invade Scotland with an English army.

Act IV
Warned by the witches against Macduff, Macbeth murders Macduff's wife and children, and Macduff vows to take revenge, with the help of an English army.

Act V
Lady Macbeth dies, Macduff kills Macbeth, and Malcolm becomes king.

themes
unchecked ambition as a corrupting force
the relationship between cruelty and masculinity
kingship versus tyranny

blood
symbolize characters guilt, begine to feel that their crimes have stained them and they can't be washed out

weather
violations of the natural order reflect corruption in the moral and political orders