Macbeth Notes

Straight forward play compared to other Shakespeare writings and character driven play
No real humor or humanity; only example of some sort of humor was the scene with the porter and that is arguable
It's a great tragedy; with Macbeth as a tragic character- has a flaw that influences outcome of story and leads to their demise.
Macbeth is loaded with honor and enjoys what the future may bring on him. And starts the story being well liked and having many people on his side.  By the end he is isolated without a place in the social community 
 He did this all to himself and was the architect of own destruction.  
Murder of Duncan 
Why isn't Macbeth happy with what he has?
Because of his ambition and his want to be king. He even says it in Act 1 scene 7 in lines 25-28
Macbeth doesn't question the witches and this makes Lady Macbeth curious and she says this is Act 1 scene 7 lines 41-49
Macbeth is constantly changing his mind and by not questioning the witches, Shakespeare is letting us know that he isn't surprised by them
He does have a very good understanding of right and wrong, which is a heroic quality 
If he were to kill King Duncan, then that would be violating every rule of the community, but he must act on his want to be king
For Banquo he realizes that the prophecy is unreal and isn't worth it to him to break the law; on the other hand the prophecy obsesses Macbeth and takes over his life
Lady Macbeth is always there to try and convince Macbeth to do the wrong thing. She is the evil impulse of the story
She doesn't seem very mother like and tells Macbeth to be more manly
Even thought she is the evil impulse we can blame Lady Macbeth for what Macbeth ends up doing
The dagger is important because he can't grab it and after puts a horror into Macbeth for what he is about to do
Macbeth as King 
After this he is the least admirable tragic hero; he is a mass murderer; it could be his horrible determination
Macbeth will not compromise and pay whatever price no matter how much it will cost him
irony- his evil makes him afraid of his own self
Lady Macbeth falls apart and some of the examples are sleep walking, fainting and eventually killing herself.  Her lack of inner will and her inability to separate herself from human nature