Macbeth delves into the corrupting nature of power and the philosophical conflict between free will and determinism. The stage design prominently features horizontally movable columns resembling prison bars, arranged in four concentric rectangles to evoke the atmosphere of a dark, impenetrable prison cell. This prison imagery symbolizes Macbeth's transformation into a murderer after receiving the witches' prophecies and his subsequent entrapment in his destructive ambition.

The gaps between the prison bars allow for free, uninhibited movement, suggesting free will. However, this freedom is starkly contrasted with the oppressive enclosures that convey Macbeth's despair and impending doom. As the play unfolds, the layout and number of columns shift across the five acts, adapting to each scene to either intensify or alleviate tension in alignment with the unfolding narrative.