Good and Evil
The idea of "Good and Evil" and morality are key themes of this text. Vathek and his mother are depicted as examples of "evil" as they are motivated by a selfish desire to secure their own riches and happiness. Vathek is depicted as a cruel and chaotic leader who is not concerned with the well-being of his subjects and allows himself to be controlled by base desires.
On the other hand, the sacrificed children are depicted as the epitome of goodness and innocence. At the end of the text, the moral order is restored as the sacrificed children are brought back from the dead, and Vathek is punished for his crimes.
Greed
Greed is a key motivator for Vathek and his evil mother, who both want to discover the riches of the dark world. They sacrifice others for their own interests and are ultimately fueled only by greed and selfishness. In the end, Beckford shows us that greed and selfishness do not make for a happy life, and result in chaos and punishment.
The Supernatural
The Supernatural is a key theme in this text, which draws upon many different Gothic elements. The idea of the supernatural underlies the plot of the text, as Vathek is motivated by a mysterious parchment which offers an insight into a dark and supernatural world of wealth and riches. Ultimately, the supernatural is depicted as a force that is not to be trusted, as is the case with many Gothic texts of the time.
