Motif: The Supernatural
Supernatural forces play a paramount role in Macbeth. Starting as early as the first scene, audiences see the supernatural at work in the form of the three witches who predict Macbeth's rise to power. Macbeth's hallucinations could also be considered elements of the supernatural, and after having Banquo and his sons murdered, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost. The supernatural elements of the play were both methods of entertainment for early modern audiences and contribute to the play's major themes of uncertainty, madness, and ambition.
Symbol: The Dagger
In Act Two, Macbeth hallucinates a dagger floating in front of him and longs to clutch its handle. The dagger symbolizes the treacherous and doomed path that Macbeth will travel for the rest of the play, starting with the murder of Duncan and continuing with the murders of anyone who threatens Macbeth's crown. In this way, the dagger – which Macbeth sees as a sign of his own power – foreshadows Macbeth's own doom without his knowledge.
Symbol: Bloody Hands
Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth struggle to rid themselves of Duncan's blood after his murder. Macbeth wonders if his hands will ever wash clean. Bloody hands therefore symbolize guilt and shame, which, though physically clean, will inevitably leave behind anxiety and worry over the sin committed.
Motif: The Weather
Many early modern plays make use of the weather in order to cultivate a certain mood for a performance. Macbeth is not exception, and is perhaps one of the plays most famous for its inclusion of weather events in its plot. The play is perpetually dark, full of storms, clouds, and ominous weather that makes characters question their sanity. In this way, the weather helps maintain the play's overall bleak and doomed tone.
Symbol: Sleep
In the play, sleep symbolizes peace and tranquility. When Macbeth murders Duncan in his sleep, he disturbs not just Duncan's slumber but his own ability to find inner peace for the rest of the play. Macbeth is plagued with a restless sleep for the remainder of the performance. As such, Macbeth serves as a disruption to an otherwise peaceful and prosperous reign, especially considering how well-liked Duncan was as a ruler.
