AMBITION The main theme of Macbeththe destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints finds its

most powerful expression in the plays two main characters. Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement. He kills Duncan against his better judgment and afterward stews in guilt and paranoia. Toward the end of the play he descends into a kind of frantic, boastful madness. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, pursues her goals with greater determination, yet she is less capable of withstanding the repercussions of her immoral acts. One of Shakespeares most forcefully drawn female characters, she spurs her husband mercilessly to kill Duncan and urges h im to be strong in the murders aftermath, but she is eventually driven to distraction by the effect of Macbeths repeated bloodshed on her conscience. In each case, ambitionhelped, of course, by the malign prophecies of the witches is what drives the couple to ever more terrible atrocities. The problem, the play suggests, is that once one decides to use violence to further ones quest for power, it is difficult to stop. There are always potential threats to the throneBanquo, Fleance, Macduffand it is always tempting to use violent means to dispose of them.

Light and Darkness

Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory Pretty standard stuff here. Darkness indicates something bad is about to happen; light is associated with life and God. Here's a look at some specifics: From the first, the cover of night is invoked whenever anything terrible is going to happen. Lady Macbeth, for example, asks "thick night" to come with the "smoke of hell," so her knife won't see the wound it makes in the peacefully sleeping King (1.5.3). The literal darkness corresponds to the evil or "dark" act she plans to commit. And then, when she calls for the murderous spirits to prevent "heaven" from "peep[ing] through the blanket of the dark to cry 'Hold, Hold!'" she implies that light (here associated with God, heaven, and goodness) offers protection from evil and is the only thing that could stop her from murdering Duncan (1.5.3). So, it's no surprise to us that, when Lady Macbeth starts going crazy, she insists on always having a candle or, "light" about her (5.1.4). We get the impression that she thinks the light is going to protect her against the evil forces she summoned but no such luck.

Light/ Life
Macbeth responds to the news of Lady Macbeth's suicide by proclaiming "out, out brief candle" (5.5.3), turning the candle's flame has become a metaphor for her short life and sudden death. Similarly, Banquo's torchlight (the one that illuminates him just enough so his murderers can see what they're doing) is also snuffed out the moment he's killed (3.3.5). And both of these incidents recall an event from the evening King Duncan is murdered Lennox reports that the fire in his chimney was mysteriously "blown" out (2.3.3).

Straightforward, right? The one thing we're stuck on is that this whole play is about inversion: fair being foul, and foul being fair; men being women, women being men; and the whole regicide business. Are there any moments that make this dark/ light dichotomy more complex? Or is this one area where light is just light, and dark is just dark?

Light and dark are often thought of as symbols of good and evil. Such a concept is used in movies and television. When the climax reaches its peak in a horror film, and after a long chase the bad guy is leaning over the good guy about to finish his evil deed, odds are that darkness will be added to make things seem more intense. In the cartoon movie, All Dogs Go to Heaven, heaven is depicted as a bright place where the sun shines. Still, in other films, light might be reflected on someone every time they do something good. This idea of light and dark, night and day, and good and bad is present in Shakespeares play Macbeth. Shakespeare uses these themes to create an image of the various conflicts, twists, and symbols in the plot. The entire story evolves around the results of such events and the clash between what light and dark symbolize. The imagery of these two opposites brings things together or tare things apart. Because of the way light and dark are represented and used in the play, they are given specific meanings and definitions that help make the play what it is. Darkness is the more evident of the two throughout the play. Since Macbeth is a tragedy, the hero, Macbeth, must be brought down by his own doings. In this case, his ambition and deceitfulness are the elements of darkness that lead to his ruin. The play starts out with three witches, the very embodiment of evil. When the witches make the prediction that Macbeth will become king (1.3), a chain of events is started that will make things grow darker and darker until his death. In act one scene three, Banquo actually refers to the witches as the instruments of darkness. There is also a reality of darkness in the scenes with the witches. There is lightning and thunder, evidencing the natural darkness that is there. At first, Macbeth believes that he does not need to do anything to gain the throne, but once King Duncan announces that his older son will succeed him (1.4), he starts to rethink things through. Ambition starts to fill his mind and soul, and he asks for the darkness to hide the evil thoughts that are brewing in his mind. Once his wife, Lady Macbeth, finds out about the witches predictions, she too asks for darkness to cover her deeds, and for her womanly attributes to be thrown aside so that she can pursue the crown through evil means (1.5). When they do murder Duncan, they do it during the night (2.1-2). Later, when Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo, the murder of Banquo is also done in the darkness of night (3.3). By this time, Macbeth has become the strong one in charge. Evil and darkness is present all the time. Macbeth does not have to have something to inspire his ambition further, he just keeps going and going until he wares out and morning comes again, but not for him. He leaves his wife out of things. She becomes the more innocent one who wishes she could go back in time to save Duncans life. This is the way Macbeth was at first, but when act three, scene two comes, he is not longer depending on Lady Macbeths pushiness to spur him on, but on the darkness of his own ambition. As the play progresses Lady Macbeth finds herself subject to the tricks of her mind. Eventually, in act five, scene one, her guilt preys on her and causes her to become seemingly sick. The doctor knows that he cannot do anything for her. He observes her when she sleepwalks and asks how Lady Macbeth got the light she is carrying. The gentlewoman replies, Why, it stood by her: she has light by her continually, tis her command. Lady Macbeth knows she has done something wrong. As a result she does not sleep well and fears the consequences of her actions. Because she fears the darkness that comes from her deeds, she commands to have a light kept by her at all times. She knows that she lives in darkness, and tries to use false light to keep her guilt away. She wants the light to bring truth back into her life again. Because darkness overtakes most of the play, there is little light to be seen. When you are in the darkness, you

need some form of light to see. Before Banquo is killed, he calls to show a light. When daytime does come, it is covered by darkness. Light does not really show until the end of the play when Macbeths final fate brings death. Light symbolizes what little good that is present. At the start of the play, King Duncan is the symbol of light. He is the good, noble, natural King who does his job rightfully with just judgment. As soon as he is murdered, darkness truly enters the story. Once darkness takes control, the play becomes all about covering that darkness up or trying to get rid of it. Shakespeare uses light and dark to enhance these images of good and evil. He is very good at making the two distinct opposites. Macbeth allows darkness to encompass him and take over his ways. As soon as the first murder occurs, light diminishes. It is gone until Duncan and Banquo are brought to justice. Darkness is squeezed between light and is used to intensify the moment and engage the audience. It is represented by the ambition of Macbeth. Macbeths ambition fights against the truth and what is god-ordained. Ultimately, light and dark symbolize the classic battle between good and evil.