- Macduff is the only character who shows real humanity in the play
- Contrast his character with the lack of humanity showed by others, highlighting the specific points in which he shows “true” human emotion)
- The Witches are responsible for all the evils of the play
- Explain why the responsibility lies on them instead of on Macbeth for his own actions.
- Lady Macbeth’s rejection of her feminine traits while attempting to adopt masculine qualities is the root of all the unnatural and evil events in the play, leading to the downfall of herself and her husband.
- Through the use of gender stereotypes in the play, Macbeth, Shakespeare sends a message that straying from one’s culturally assigned gender expectations is dangerous.
- Through the use of gender stereotypes in the play, Macbeth, Shakespeare sends a message that straying from one’s culturally assigned gender expectations is dangerous, but only for women.
- Without the presence of overwhelming guilt, Macbeth’s ambition would have led him to true success
- Explain how the actions that lead most directly to his downfall are committed out of guilt and/or paranoia
- Macbeth’s guilt leads to the loss of his sanity and ultimately his downfall.
- When Macbeth’s honor is at its highest points, his sanity is also apparent, but when his ambition overtakes his honor, his signs of insanity show.