Macbeth: The Theme of Betrayal
Themes and ideas form the foundation of most exam questions - even when a question seems character-based, there will almost always be a theme attached to it.
Take a look at a full breakdown of themes in ‘Macbeth’ on the link below:
Below, you’ll find some thoughts and comments on key themes and ideas in the play. These are intended as a starting point - you should also read essays on the topic, do your own research and develop your own more personal and detailed beliefs about each theme before attempting to write essays! Every essay or exam answer that you write should include your own personal thoughts and feelings on the question, so the notes and questions below are designed to help you develop a personal response to each theme. Once you feel comfortable with the key ideas and debates on a theme you should compile a list of quotations that relate to it, then practise analysing those too.
Deception + Betrayal
• What happens to deceptive characters in the play?
• What are Lady Macbeth’s opinions on deception?
• How are the Witches deceptive, and how are they truthful? Is deception always lying, or can it also be telling half-truths?
• Macbeth does not enjoy being deceptive - think about times that Lady Macbeth is forced to cover for him because he struggles with acting and pretending: he does not greet Duncan when he enters the castle, he needs convincing to put on a “false face”, he struggles to lie and manipulate others.
• Who are the non-deceptive and honest characters in the play? What message does Shakespeare convey about them?
• “Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t”. How does this quotation relate to the themes of deception and betrayal?
• What are the connections between deception and the visions or hallucinations that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience?
• Equivocation is a motif which appears a few times in the play - how does this relate to the theme of deception? (you may need to research this one further before answering)
• What are the connections between deception and evil in the play?
• The word “traitor” is applied to Macdonwald at the beginning, and Macbeth at the end of the play. They also both are killed in the same way - beheaded, with their heads fixed upon the battlements of the castle. What does this suggest about betrayal?
• What message is Shakespeare conveying about those who attempt treason? You may want to read about the Gunpowder Plot and see how this relates to the ideas of Macbeth.
Thanks for reading!
If you’re studying Macbeth, you’ve come to the right place! This in-depth course goes through everything you need to know to get absolutely top marks on Macbeth exams, essays and coursework.
Breakdown of Acts + Scenes
Setting, Characters + Key Quotes
Context, Themes + Critics
Essay Questions, Example Answers + More!
Levels covered: KS3, GCSE, iGCSE, A Level, University.
