What can you label a theme of the play Macbeth if it follows the "the end justifies the mean" ideology

Question

i know that way of thinking isnt true, i just want to know whats it called when you think like that.

Answer 1

A really bad homework assignment question!

Has your teacher actually read the play? Did they understand the play at all?

Write about how this question isn't even applicable to the play, and isn't a valid question for this play because the play does NOT follow the "end justifies the means" ideology. Use your ingenuity to come up with the best proof that it does not.

Furthermore, I do think a valid question arises. Would Macbeth have even thought of doing what he did without the nudge from the witches? I think in this case it becomes an important question because if Macbeth was at all a pawn, and not completely in control of his own actions or destiny than it further invalidates the question. Because that philosophy demands that he or she who uses such an excuse for their actions are absolutely and entirely convinced that their actions are correct and that their goals are only of the purest kind. I don't think Macbeth was at all convinced of this.

I think a better subject for a homework question would have regarded the fight to maintain the natural order. At the time and place, the Kingship was not seen as paternal, passed down from father to son. The kingship belonged to the best military leader. That is why it was such a big deal when Duncan named, not Macbeth, but Malcom as his successor. To add further irony to the situation, Macbeth had just come from fighting another usurper who was trying to circumvent the natural order.

So, strangely enough, in fighting to preserve the natural order (although I don't think Macbeth was terribly cognizant of this, elsewise I think he woudl have had few qualms about what he did through most of the play) he ended up violating the natural order himself.

Answer 2

But the end doesn't justify the means because the Macbeths don't succeed; both are destroyed by their greed and machinations.
I'd say Macbeth is an example of good triumphing over evil.

Answer 3

sounds like some homework