Jassem Jahangir

12/11/12

The play Macbeth is filled with suffering. It begins with reports of a bloody battle, an execution of a traitor. In comparison Macbeths later actions are even worse as he commits violent crimes against his own people. Much of the suffering in the play is directly attributable to Macbeth. However, the central focus of the play is the suffering he himself undergoes, as he makes his way through his course of evil. Macbeth was a weak character, despite his noble and honorable reputation. It was this weakness that allowed him to be seduced by the witches prophecy; it was this very same weakness that resulted in his succumbing to his devious, determined and power hungry wife. And it was ultimately this weakness that resulted in Macbeths downfall. However, despite this flaw Macbeth was not solely to blame for his demise, the witches prophecy ignited Macbeths ambition and his wife, Lady Macbeth, was even more ambitious and more determined than her husband. The role of the witches should not be underestimated. In fact in the opening scene Shakespeare creates a mysterious and ominous atmosphere, foreshadowing that Fair is foul and foul is fair (1.1.13) suggesting the evil which is followed throughout the play and also that nothing is as it seems to be. The witches greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and as King of Scotland (1.3.51-53). This prophecy leads Macbeth to genuinely think about being in control and having power. Although a modern audience would be critical about the role of the witches, Shakespearean audiences viewed them as evil, having the capability of casting terrible events. However the witches cannot force Macbeth to do anything that he does not want to do. They merely revealed the future and chose to confront Macbeth at a time when he is most vulnerable, after the battle where he is feeling very proud of his achievements. Thus, they certainly did have a role to play in Macbeths downfall, but if Macbeth had been more concerned with morality and ethics and less concerned about having power, control, and becoming king, he would have ignored the witches prophecy.

Macbeth, however, had already thought of becoming king before meeting the witches. He was highly ambitious man and a well-respected soldier, described by Duncan as O valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen! (1.2.26), and was referred to as being Brave and noble. Macbeth, in the end, was a selfish character whose ambitions only benefited him. Throughout the play Macbeth ruthlessly pursues his own interests. He may be physically strong and courageous on the battle field but is morally weak. Macbeth has a conscience, but ultimately is not strong enough to let it guide his actions. In the famous soliloquy If it were done when tis done, then twere well / It were done quickly (1.7.1), his reasons for not killing Duncan appear to be more selfish than anything. He is principally concerned with the precedent he would establish by killing Duncan. If he kills Duncan he could also be vulnerable to assassination. The audience notes that, despite being preoccupied with his own ambitions, he has taken note of the witches prophecy regarding Banquo. The witches reveal to Banquo and Macbeth that Banquos offspring will be king after Macbeth, Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none (1.3.70). The readers can question whether this is a sign of his jealousy that Macbeth will have, according to the witches prophecies. Despite his attempts to hide it, Macbeth does have a conscience. It does not speak through voice of reason or logic. Rather it surfaces in the form of vivid images such as a bloody dagger, voices haunting him, hallucinations, and other vile images. Lady Macbeth, who really influenced and manipulated Macbeth for the worst is also another key factor in Macbeths downgrade. After Lady Macbeth read Macbeths letter about his fortune that was foretold by the three witches, she conducted a deadly plan to kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth, in a soliloquy, calls on spirits to take away her womanhood and make her cruel. She eventually persuades Macbeth into following her plan so that Macbeth will become King. Macbeth fell seduced into Lady Macbeths plan because of his ambition to become King. Even though it was Macbeth who originally thought about murdering Duncan, in his soliloquy, Macbeth wrestles with his conscience and his fears of the consequences of killing Duncan. His reflections conclude with the recognition that ambition itself is

not enough to drive him to murder. Lady Macbeth, firstly employs emotional blackmail; From this time / Such I account thy love (1.7.43-44). Then she launches an assault on his manliness, accusing him of cowardice. It is her constant needling of Macbeth that pushes him towards the decision to kill Duncan. She is strong willed and knows her husband well enough to exploit his sensitivity about manliness. Lady Macbeth appears to be without a conscience but later on, as foreshadowed Fair is foul and foul is fair (1.1.13), we know that she does indeed have a conscience. Lady Macbeth later fell guilt over her part in Duncans murder but Macbeths guilt is immediate. Macbeth murders his great king and only moments later feels horrible guilt, Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?(2.2.77) Blood on hands is a symbol of guilt that Macbeth sees often in this play With thy bloody and invisible hand (3.2.53) He feels guilt like he has never experienced before Gouts of blood, which was not so before(2.1.53). Macbeth is to easily persuade by his wife. If he truly was morally tough he would have acknowledged that killing your guest, especially the king, who in the medieval times was thought to be appointed by god, was wrong. But his weakness prevails once again and he goes along with Lady Macbeth. Macbeths lack of sleep and the sudden death of his wife, drives Macbeth to despair and leaves him feeling that life is meaningless. He compares life to a candle that is easily blown out and an actor Who struts and frets him hour upon the stage and then is heard no more (5.5.26). In the end, Macbeth was a selfish, jealous, and ambitious character, all signs of wickedness. The witches may have provoked his ambition, but deep down there was evil brewing with in Macbeth, as the witches acknowledged. Lady Macbeths persuading words were just enough to lead Macbeth to become king and in the end to his death and her own. However if it was not for Macbeths weakness and unassertiveness he would have been strong enough to say no. Ultimately each character played a significant role in Macbeths destruction including Macbeth himself.