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In Macbeth, masculinity and murder pretty much go hand-in-hand. So Shakespeare’s second theme may come as a bit of a surprise. What is it? Here’s a hint: Macbeth isn’t just about killing and cruelty. It’s also about redemption. Get the full download when you press play.

Video Transcription:

In Recap 5, we talked about the consequences for bad behavior. In other words, we talked about the fact that there’s not a lot of redemption in this play. But if I were to tell you that Shakespeare’s second theme unlocks this play’s one instance of hope, would you be willing to stick out the next 60 seconds?

Masculinity and murder. In Macbeth, the two pretty much go hand in hand.

In Act I, scene 7, when Macbeth struggles to commit to killing Duncan, Lady Macbeth manipulates him by questioning his manhood.

Likewise, when Macbeth wants to control the murderers he hires to kill Banquo, he does so by questioning their manhood. (That’s Act 3, scene 1, in case you’re following along.)

And though it’s Lady Macbeth who plans King Duncan’s murder, blame masculinity in her case, too. She can commit her crime only after she calls upon the spirits to make her more manly.

But, surprise, surprise, in the end, Shakespeare’s theme isn’t so much about the cruelty of manhood, as it is about redeeming manhood from cruelty. We catch a glimpse of this redemption in Act 4, scene 3 when Macduff doesn’t just react to the news of his family’s death; he feels it.

Of course, Macduff then goes on to take revenge on Macbeth, but at least it’s not out of cruelty—it’s for the good of his family and his country.