Macbeth

Scottish General (The Reputation vs. The Man)

The tragedy begins amid a bloody civil war where the first introduction to the Scottish General Macbeth is given by a wounded soldier. A colourful and extensive exaltation of Macbeth’s prowess and valour in battle is illustrated. When the battle is won, largely due to the skillful leadership of Macbeth and Banquo, King Duncan honours his Generals with high praise and awards Macbeth with the title of a traitor awaiting execution, the Thane of Cawdor. Although Macbeth has not yet made his initial appearance, the audience is given a clear indication of his righteous reputation on the battlefield and with the King.

After the first meeting with the witches in Act 1 Scene III, it soon becomes apparent that Macbeth the man may not be analogous to the alleged General. His immediate thoughts of regicide after the witches’ prophecy that he will become King of Scotland demonstrate that he is not as loyal to the King as his reputation contends. (In medieval times and in the Elizabethan era, thoughts of murdering royalty were punishable by death). When thinking of this evil thought Macbeth claims to himself it “…doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature” this shows that he is quite shaken by his own idea. Also, in an aside at the end of Act I Scene III he states “If chance may have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir” and “Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day” this demonstrates that he is not entirely won over by his murderous thoughts. He is considering the possibility that the kingship will fall into his lap by luck alone and that he will not have to take any action in order to fulfill the last prophecy. The witches have undoubtedly proven their credibility to Macbeth since they “have more in them than mortal knowledge”. Macbeth continues thinking about the prophecies; ignoring Banquo’s sound advice that “oftentimes to win us to our harm these instruments of darkness tell us truths…to betray us in deepest consequence”.

Macbeth’s next meeting with Duncan is filled with dramatic irony. He shows the King gratitude and claims the utmost loyalty and service to Scotland. When Duncan names his son Malcolm heir to his throne Macbeth realizes that if he wants the kingship he has to take action. He asks the heavens to conceal his evil thoughts when he says “Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.” The idea of kingship is clearly within Macbeth’s ambition.

[edit] Husband

At home with his wife Macbeth displays another dimension to his character. Lady Macbeth’s plan is to convince Macbeth to kill Duncan. This is apparent when she says “…I may pour my spirits in thine ear; and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round”. She feels that Macbeth “art not without ambition” but is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way”. Lady Macbeth plans to be the brains behind the assassination of Duncan. She clearly shares her husband’s ambition.

In Act 1 Scene VII, while alone on stage, Macbeth considers the pros and cons of killing Duncan. He sees Duncan as a fair and gracious leader for whom Scotland will weep. He sees himself as his friend and also his host “who should against his murderer shut the door”. Macbeth ponders the idea of karma and the effect his actions will have in the afterlife. The only reason he has for committing this deed is his “vaulting ambition”. At this point in the play Macbeth has concluded not to kill Duncan. The decision however, is short lived. Macbeth says nothing to his wife to substantiate his claim. He fails to communicate the ethical arguments he made against murder. Instead he merely says, “He (Duncan) hath honoured me of late”. When Lady Macbeth pulls out all the stops with a vivid analogy of killing her own baby while nursing and by insulting Macbeth’s manhood, she convinces him to carry out the deed. Here Macbeth shows a very different side to his character. The cut-throat, strong, confident General has no retort for his wife’s degrading accusations. He allows Lady Macbeth to head the plan for Duncan’s murder. Macbeth simply follows her lead. Could this mean that Macbeth was manipulated by both the witches and his wife? Or did he act on his own free will intending to kill Duncan all along? The driving forces behind Macbeth’s decision remain an ongoing debate.

The murder of Duncan clearly changes Macbeth. After committing the deed he returns to his chamber, looks down at his hands and says “Will all Great Neptune’s