Notes on Macbeth

Summary: The rise and fall of a heroic figure (aka Tragedy)

Indirect Characterization of Macbeth (Absolutely no direct throughout the entire play)
 - Esteem of the nobles in the beginning

Series of events throughout the play is entirely Macbeth's doing; Macbeth is the architect of his own destruction.

Tragic Flaw (connected with the summary) is the human nature of greed, at a fundamental level, that is.

Animus - Masculinity (i.e. Roosevelt's "Rough Riders") (Lady Macbeth)
Anima - Femininity (i.e. Bill Clinton's appeal to emotion) (Macbeth)

Note: The bloody dagger is a symbol leading Macbeth to his decision (Killing Duncan); connect to Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking dilemma.

Note: As the play progresses, Macbeth's intentions change from becoming king to pursuing a peace of mind through murdering numerous people.
 - The thought of losing meaning/purpose, or having nothing left to accomplish/strive    for.

Note: The Macbeth soliloquy sums up who Macbeth has become over the course of the play (i.e. The lack of care for his wife's death after a short time)

Note: The witches are manifestations of evil in the world.
 - Outside the boundary of traditional community.