1. Ambition

Macbeth hears the witches’ prophecy and starts dreaming of becoming king.
Lady Macbeth is even more ambitious and pushes Macbeth toward murder.
Their desire for power overrides their morality.

2. Supernatural

The three witches appear in thunder and speak in riddles.
They give strange predictions that spark Macbeth’s thoughts of murder.
Their presence brings mystery, evil, and fear into the story.

3. Appearance vs Reality

Things seem good on the outside, but evil is hidden underneath.
Lady Macbeth pretends to be kind when Duncan arrives.
Macbeth hides his dark desires behind a loyal face.

4. Fate vs Free Will

The witches predict Macbeth’s future, but they don’t tell him how it will happen.
Macbeth starts to wonder whether he should take action or wait.
This creates a conflict between destiny and personal choice.

5. Deception

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to deceive Duncan and others.
They smile and welcome Duncan while secretly plotting his murder.
Deception becomes a tool to gain power.

6. Gender Roles / Masculinity and Femininity

Lady Macbeth asks to be made less feminine so she can be strong and cruel.
She questions Macbeth’s manhood to make him kill Duncan.
The theme challenges traditional ideas about strength and gender.

7. Loyalty and Betrayal

Macbeth is praised for his loyalty to the king in battle.
But soon after, he plans to betray that same king.
This quick change shows how ambition can destroy loyalty.

8. Kingship and Leadership

King Duncan is shown as kind and generous, rewarding Macbeth.
He names his son Malcolm as heir, showing good leadership planning.
Macbeth, however, begins thinking of killing Duncan to take the crown.

9. Good vs Evil

The witches represent evil forces from the start.
Lady Macbeth calls on evil spirits to help her do wrong.
The struggle between doing right and wrong begins inside Macbeth.

10. Guilt and Conscience

Macbeth feels guilty and fearful just thinking about murder.
He says Duncan is a good king and doesn’t deserve to die.
His conscience is strong, but not strong enough to stop him.