1. Themes Notes 2 Date: Objectives “I dare do all that may become a man”
Take notes on the themes of Macbeth
Understand the point, ideas and reasons for reading Macbeth
Warm-up – take down the quote and answer the question.
“I dare do all that may become a man”
(Macbeth, Act 1.7)
A man works to achieve what he wants – do you agree?

2. Theme Two: Man and Woman
One of the most important themes in Macbeth is that of ‘manliness’ or masculinity. Macbeth and his fellow lords are governed by a strict code of honour which dictates how men should behave and carry themselves. Everyone in the play is concerned with what it means to be a ‘real man’.
(This is Scotland in the 1600’s – what do you imagine the men look like?)

3. Theme Two: Man and Woman
The play starts with physical bravery and fighting. Macbeth claims to be the most manly fellow in Scotland because of his deeds on the battlefield. He is referred to as ‘brave Macbeth’, as ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’ (Goddess of War) and as ‘Valour’s minion’ (Valour meaning courage) (Act 1.2)
(By today’s standards, is violence needed to prove you are a man? Has it changed to some other deeds?)

4. Theme Two: Man and Woman
Manliness is associated with fighting throughout the play. In Act 5, Lennox declares the English army contains
“many unrough youths that even now
Protest their first of manhood” (Act 5.2)
This means that without battle, without scars and wounds and trauma, these youths were not considered men. You had to fight and fight bravely, for even if you lost like Young Seyward, you were considered a man for facing forward.
(If you replace the word ‘fighting’ with ‘challenges’, can this still describe what it means to be a modern man?)

5. Theme Two: Man and Woman
Because violence and manhood were so closely linked, it was rather easy to convince men to murder. Lady Macbeth persuades her husband to kill a king by saying
“When thou durst do it, then you were a man” (Act 1.7)
Macbeth too can convince the murderers to kill Banquo by suggesting to do otherwise would place them in
“th’ worst rank of manhood” (Act 3.1)
(Can you see the lesson here? What if someone questioned your manhood, even just to make you angry?)

6. Theme Two: Man and Woman
In Macbeth’s Scotland, a man should always appear calm and composed. His demeanour (appearance) should never reveal too much feeling or emotion. In the ‘Banquet Scene’, Lady Macbeth accuses her husband of being unmanly because of his weak and foolish outbursts.
“Are you a man” (Act 3.4)
(Again I ask, does this relate to men of today?)

7. Theme One: Appearance versus Reality
Throughout the play, femininity is associated with weakness. Even Lady Macbeth renounces her womanhood;
“Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here” (Act 1.5)
Lady Macbeth feels like women are weak, powerless and emotional. To have strength and the ability to achieve your ambitions seems like something only a man can do.
(Things are different today but not perfect – agree?)

8. Cooldown – concerning these slides
I think…..
I know……
I wonder……