William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” is a dramatic piece intended for the stage performance. In the theatre community Shakespeare’s play is only referenced by the birthplace of the playwright because,[the Sscottish Play], is thought to be cursed. Shakespeare is responsible for least 40 plays and has contributed the English language with the invention of 1,700 words. Born in 1564 in Stratford-on Avon, Scotland to “John Shakespeare, a butcher, and Mary Arden,” (). William’s nobility between 1605 and 1606 is on the rise with the production of the cursed Scottish play, written for and presented for the real-life King James VI, who recently came to power.
Ascension of power is thematic throughout the tragedy of “Macbeth.” Macbeth is the central figure. At first Macbeth is only the Thane[1] of Glamis. He becomes the Thane of Cawdor just becoming the King of Scotland. While fictional, the story of Macbeth, literary historians will point out the similarities to real life events, suggesting that Shakespeare was inspired by history. Inspired by history and perhaps on a noble pursuit of his own, Shakespeare’s allegory provides a warning to King James VI to watch for treasonous backstabbers. In the story, Macbeth rises to power by removing King Duncan by way of assassination. As a Kinsman to Duncan, Macbeth is in line to take the throne but not until the others in succession are killed first.
Blood spills by the hands of Macbeth countless times throughout the story; first, the perhaps noble and virtuous destruction of Macdonwald during a battle. Next, Macbeth goes after the king and the king’s servants. And while Macbeth is solely responsible for all these murders, he was first motivated to carry them out after an encounter with three witches. The sorceresses convince Macbeth that will become king despite how far removed he is from the throne. This conjured prophecy triggers a killing spree.
When Malcolm, the first heir to Duncan’s throne, says, “But Macbeth is. /A good and virtuous nature may recoil /[i]n an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon,” he does so in response to Macduff’s charge of treason (4.3.19-22). Not only is Malcolm the son of Duncan he is also the Thane of Ross. In order to jump the line of succession, Macbeth had successfully framed Malcolm and Malcolm’s men of the assignation of Duncan. Macduff’s entire would later be slaughtered by the mercenaries hired by Macbeth.
Even though Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife, was not an accomplice to Duncan’s murder, she was complicate in the plot. After the foul play of Duncan, Lady Macbeth rises to Queen alongside King Macbeth. Macbeth’s mercenaries, who were originally hired to eliminate Banquo, the General to King Duncan’s Army and Thane of Scotland. The deed is done, but Banquo’s son Fleance is witness and flees the scene. “—I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot /come out one’s grave,” Lady Macbeth says to the Doctor the alleviate the opuses of guilt (5.1. 54-55). For King Macbeth, the overwhelming guilt leads him to believe he is being haunted by ghost of Banquo.
Big mistakes as a result of consulting the three witches is the reason for the sudden termination of the house of nobility. The first house of nobility was the house of Macdonwald, followed by Duncan, Banquo. Macbeth dies from an apparent suicide and Macduff avenges his family by beheading Macbeth.
Works Cited
- Bloom, Harold II. “Modern Critical Interpretations: Macbeth,” Chelsea House Publisers.1987.
- Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Modern critical interpretations) Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Macbeth. I. Bloom, Harold II. Series.
- “Timeline of Scottish History: 1600 to 1640,” Undiscovered Scotland. https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usfeatures/timeline/to1640.html. Accessed 5 December 2019.
[1] (in Scotland) a man, a leader of a clan, granted nobility by a military leader, other noblemen, or a king