'Macbeth' was written with the intention of performing it for both King Christian IV of Denmark and King James I of England. The play explores themes which would have appealed to the monarchs, such as the belief in the Divine Right of Kings. Additionally, the inclusion of witches could have been a way to flatter James I, who had extensive knowledge on the subject due to his treatise on the witch trials at Berwick in 1597 titled 'Demonology'. Despite possessing many good qualities, Macbeth's downfall is caused by a single flaw in his character which ultimately leads to his tragedy. However, there are three additional factors within the play which contribute to his demise.
The primary factor influencing Macbeth's actions is his ambition to become king, which is his character flaw. Although he realizes he could neve
...r attain this position on his own, it is still the desire he covets most. However, with the influence of the witches, a second factor emerges and alters Macbeth's perspective. Suddenly, he begins to believe that becoming king might be a possibility after all.
The witches instill in Macbeth's mind the idea that becoming king is a feasible possibility and with the encouragement of his wife, he succumbs to their suggestion. This decision leads to his ascent to the throne, but also leads to his eventual downfall. The opening scene of the play depicts the witches planning their scheme for Macbeth, with thunder and lightning adding to the dramatic ambiance.
After the witches utter the line "Fair is foul and foul is fair..." in Act one, scene one, line eleven, a theme of chaos and disorder emerges and persists in
the play. Macbeth is then introduced in Act one, scene two, but not in person.
In the battle, the other characters proclaim Macbeth's bravery and aptly name him as such, acknowledging his disregard for luck and skillfully wielding his sword.
During Act 1, Scene 2, Macbeth is commended by characters for his bravery, nobility and military achievements. He's described as a commanding "warrior" who earns respect. In the following scene, the witches reappear with thunder adding to their dramatic entrance. They await Macbeth's arrival with an unusual appearance and a drumbeat that signifies his importance. Initially accepting their prophecy without objection, they predict he will become significant.
In Act one, scene three, line forty-eight, Macbeth is pronounced as the new Thane of Cawdor by a group of witches. However, their subsequent statement about Macbeth is not mentioned.
Upon hearing the prophesy from the witches that he will become king, Macbeth becomes both surprised and fearful that they have somehow read his inner-most thoughts. Banquo advises him to not take the witches' words seriously, and although Macbeth initially feigns disbelief, he secretly begins to plot the murder of Duncan.
Act one, scene three, lines one hundred and thirty to one hundred and forty-two unveil a scene rich in dramatic irony, where Duncan expresses gratitude towards Macbeth for his service in the battle while carrying the sin of ingratitude. In act one, scene four, lines fourteen to twenty-one, Macbeth acknowledges the irony as he grapples with guilt caused by his murderous thoughts. As Duncan appoints his son Malcolm as heir to the throne, Macbeth foreshadows the murders he will commit once Duncan has passed.
Either I must fall down or overleap, as that
is a step I cannot avoid.
Within Act one, scene four, lines forty-eight to fifty-three, the audience is presented with ironic circumstances as Macbeth leaves the group to secretly organise Duncan's murder. While Duncan believes Macbeth is leading the welcome party, Lady Macbeth is introduced in the following scene. She is reading a letter from Macbeth aloud and delivers almost all of her lines through a soliloquy.
This implies that Lady Macbeth commands all the focus on stage because of the significance of everything she utters. Macbeth, in his letter, reveals his intentions to kill Duncan. While Lady Macbeth is prepared to aid her husband, she is anxious that he lacks the courage to carry out the deed:
Lady Macbeth acknowledges that her husband has ambition but lacks the ruthless nature needed to succeed quickly. She believes that he can achieve greatness if he can overcome his kindness. Lady Macbeth herself desires to be queen and understands that she needs to manipulate and push Macbeth to follow through with their plans. (Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 12-18)
She implores the spirits to strip her of her gentle and feminine traits, enabling her to be overtaken by wickedness: "...come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty.."
In Act one, scene five, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth discuss their plan to murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth questions when Duncan will be leaving and when Macbeth states he will leave the next day, Lady Macbeth asserts that he will not live to see that day. Although Macbeth has doubts and suggests delaying the murder, Lady Macbeth
refuses to accept this and becomes the dominant force in their conversation. Macbeth attempts to argue but Lady Macbeth tells him to act naturally or risk appearing guilty, stating: "To alter favour ever is to fear.." (Act one, scene five, line sixty-eight).
In Act one scene five, line seventy, Lady Macbeth demonstrates a newfound strength and determination, anticipating Macbeth's hesitation and displaying the intensity of their relationship. The arrival of Duncan is also filled with irony.
Although Lady Macbeth appears kind-hearted, described as "like th' innocent flower", she is actually the deceitful "serpent under't". Meanwhile, Duncan admires the pleasant location of the castle without realizing that it will be the site of his demise. The scene concludes with dramatic irony as Duncan takes Lady Macbeth's hand.
In the banquet scene of Act One, the audience learns that Duncan is in danger, although he remains oblivious. Macbeth's mind is plagued with nightmarish thoughts and he leaves the banquet feeling guilty for having murdered Duncan. When Lady Macbeth enters on line twenty-seven, she understands his thoughts and convinces him to follow through with the plan.
Macbeth is currently in a weaker position in the relationship. Lady Macbeth dominates their discussions and treats him with condescension and disrespect. In Act One, Scene Seven, she asks him what kind of cowardice led him to abandon their plan, undermining his masculinity with the words: "What beast was't then, That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man" (lines forty to end). Despite his fears, Macbeth eventually agrees to carry out the murder. While he has grown stronger in some ways, Lady Macbeth still
wields significant control over him.
In act two, scene two of Macbeth, the protagonist's relationship with Banquo takes a hit when he denies thinking about the weird sisters even though they consume his every thought. After Banquo and the servants depart, Macbeth is tormented by thoughts of daggers and decides to follow through with the murder while praying that nothing will stop him. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth uses the drugged alcohol on herself for courage and admits she would have killed Duncan had he not resembled her father in his sleep.
After nearly reaching parity, Lady Macbeth manages to keep calm while her husband grows increasingly anxious. To prevent their descent into madness, she advises him not to dwell on it too much. Macbeth's exclamation of "Sleep no more!" (act two, scene two, line forty-one) marks a pivotal moment in the play - neither he nor Lady Macbeth can sleep uninterrupted from this point on. When Lady Macbeth returns the daggers to the chamber, Macbeth becomes hysterical and it falls to her to rein in both her own emotions and those of her husband. Although she appears to be the stronger one at this point, it is only a facade on her part.
Internally, she shares her spouse's instability and attempts to calm him by mocking him: "My hands are of your colour; but I shame To wear a heart so white." She guarantees Macbeth that "a little water clears us of this deed," though it is ironic that, later in the play, the blood on her hands cannot be washed away. After the opening act's comic relief in scene two and three, the play devolves into chaos.
During
a certain time period, it was commonly thought that nature served as a reflection of worldly events. Lennox's statement, which includes phrases such as "Lamentings heard i' th' air, strange screams of death" and "prophesying with accents terrible, Of dire combustion, and confused events," confirms this belief. As the scene unfolds, Macbeth has an extreme reaction to this situation and Lady Macbeth must intervene in order to help him.
Various explanations have been proposed for Lady Macbeth's collapse at line 119. Some suggest it may be a strategic ploy to redirect attention from Macbeth, who is exposing himself and potentially endangering their secret. Others speculate that Lady Macbeth truly faints, though this behavior is uncharacteristic of her. Meanwhile, Malcolm departs for England and Donalbain for Ireland, helping to clear the path for Macbeth and alleviate suspicion. The subsequent scene serves as a temporal transition and recapitulation for viewers.
Macduff expresses doubts about Macbeth, which sets the stage for the subsequent banquet scene. Act three, scene one portrays Macbeth as an insecure and unhappy king, who suspects that Banquo is privy to his guilty actions - which turns out to be true. Ironically, despite their mutual suspicion, in an apparently amicable conversation, each tries to keep their secret undisclosed. Macbeth bids Banquo farewell, saying "Till you return at night".
Macbeth expresses his belief that Banquo will not come back and begins to contemplate his character, much like he did with Duncan's murder, in his soliloquy. He arranges for the assassination of Banquo and Fleance with two killers and exhibits unwavering certainty and a lack of remorse concerning his actions.
Viewing Banquo as a danger to his authority, he desires
Banquo's demise, without the assistance, encouragement, or allegiance of his wife. He no longer requires her involvement. His moral compass has been lost, and he does not hesitate to commit this act.
Throughout act three, scene two of Macbeth, the titular character's independence from his wife is demonstrated. This is due to his ability to carry out his actions without assistance from her. Lady Macbeth herself acknowledges her unhappiness in her role as queen in a brief soliloquy.
As Macbeth enters the scene, Lady Macbeth begins to recognize that she is losing control over him. Macbeth declares that more murders are required before he can feel secure, stating, "We have scorched the snake, not killed." (Act three, scene two, line six)
During Act three, scene two, line thirteen of Shakespeare's play, Lady Macbeth inquires about Banquo. Macbeth responds with a lie, instructing her to "present him eminence both with eye and tongue."
"Banquo, and his Fleance, lives," Macbeth states to his wife in Act 3, Scene 2, at line 31, without mentioning the murder of Banquo. Although Lady Macbeth retains her composure, her husband has become uncontrollable.
During the banquet, Lady Macbeth comes to her husband's aid once more when he becomes troubled upon seeing Banquo's ghost. She attempts to justify his behavior by saying: "..."
While in Act three, scene four of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth criticizes her husband's behavior and tries to reassure herself that he will get better. Unfortunately, his conduct does not improve and she has to dismiss their guests. Despite giving up her own aspirations as queen for him, Lady Macbeth gets no love or appreciation in return. Although they still have personal strengths, their relationship
is now weakened. She no longer has power over him and their bond is ruined. Even though Macbeth confides in Lady Macbeth about his suspicions concerning Macduff, she understands that any advice she offers will likely be disregarded.
Following Lady Macbeth's departure, Macbeth becomes an aggressive and ambitious leader. He succumbs further to the influence of the witches, contemplating murdering Macduff. In order to protect himself and Scotland, Macduff flees to England. However, this does not prevent Macbeth from commanding the merciless slaughter of those close to Macduff. As news of his heinous actions circulates, the nobles of Scotland start planning a revolt against the tyrant.
In act five, scene one, Lady Macbeth appears once again but in a state of insanity due to the burden and stress of her unhappy reign. She discloses in her sleep-talking that she had knowledge about Banquo's killing, saying "The Thane of Fife had a wife; where is she now?" (Act five, scene one, line thirty-eight). Lady Macbeth's doctor and gentlewoman are the only ones beside her while her husband is absent and focused on solidifying his rule as the monarch.
Macbeth has lost the love and companionship of his wife, among other things. In act five, scene five, he reacts to the news of Lady Macbeth's death by feeling despair and being pre-occupied with the upcoming battle: "She should have died hereafter..."
Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth meet a sorrowful end. The murder of Duncan may never have occurred without Lady Macbeth's influence and Macbeth's trust in his spouse. Their strong relationship ultimately led to their reign as king and queen at the cost of sacrificing their friends, greatness, and ultimately themselves.
Despite their passionate love at the beginning, Macbeth's ambition and association with the witches sealed his fate.
If only their bond had been sturdy, it could have been the key to their redemption. However, whether due to its remarkable resilience or its minor flaws, it ultimately led to their downfall.
