Macbeth: A Tale of Two Theories
Macbeth(c.1607), written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of Macbeth,
a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This tragedy could in fact be
called "A Tale of Two Theories". One theory suggests that the tragic hero,
Macbeth, is led down an unescapable road of doom by an outside force, namely
fate in the form of the three witches.
The second suggests that there is no
supernatural force working against Macbeth, which therefore makes him
responsible for his own actions and inevitable downfall. It must be remembered
that Macbethis a literary work of art, and as a peice of art is open to many
different interpretations, none of them right and none of them wrong. But the
text of the play seems to imply that Macbeth is indeed responsible for his own
actions which are provoked by an unwillingness to listen to his own conscience,
the witches, and his ambition.
First, Macbeth ignores the voice of his own psyche. He knows what he is doing is
wrong even before he murders Duncan, but he allows Lady Macbeth and greed to
cloud his judgement. In referring to the idea of the murder of Duncan, Macbeth
first states,"We will proceed no further in this business"(I.
vii.32). Yet,
after speaking with Lady Macbeth he recants and proclaims,"I am settled, and
bend up/Each corporal agent to this terrible feat"(I.vii.7980). There is
nothing supernatural to be found in a man being swayed by the woman he loves,
as a matter of fact this action could be perceived as quite the opposite.
Second, the witches have to be dispelled as a source of Macbeth's misfortune
before the latter theory can be considered. It is admittedly strange that the
weird sisters first address Macbeth with,"All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee Thane
of Cawdor!"(I.iii.49), a title which not even Macbeth is aware he has been
awarded.
Even stranger is the third witch calling to Macbeth,"All hail, Macbeth,
that shalt be king hereafter!"(I.iii.50). However as stated by Bradley,"No
connection of these announcements with any actions of his was even hinted by
the withches"(232). Some are still not convinced though of the witches less
than supernatural role; nevertheless, Macbeth appears throughout the play to be
completely aware 3 of his actions, as opposed to being contolled by some
mystic force. The effect of the witches on the action of the play is best
summarized by these words:
.
..while the influences of the Witches'
prophecies on Macbeth is very great,
it is quite clearly shown to be an influnce and
nothing more.(Bradley 232)
Most important to the theory that Macbeth is reponsible for his own actions
would be a point that the infamous witches and Macbeth agree upon. Such an
element exists in the form of Macbeth's ambiton.
In the soliloquy Macbeth gives
before he murders Duncan, he states, "...I have no spur/To prick the sides of
intent, but only/Vaulting ambition,..
."(I.vii.2527). Are these the words of a
man who is merely being led down a self dustructive path of doom, with no will
of his own? Or are they the words of a man who realizes not only the graveness
of his actions, but, also the reasons behind them? The answer is clear, Macbeth
is a totally cognizant principal and not a mindless puppet. Later the head
witch, Hecate, declares,"Hath been but for a wayward son,/Spiteful and wrathful,
who, as others do,/Loves for his own ends, not for you.
" (III.v.1113), which
again highlights Macbeth's ambitious nature. The most significant part of the
play is the part that is missing, and that is a connection between Macbeth's
ambition and some spell cast by the weird sisters which might be said to
magically cause an increase in his desires.
While purposely played in a mysterious setting, the location is not meant to
cloud the true theme of the play with the supernatural. Macbeth simply succumbs
to natural urges which take him to a fate of his own making.
Everyone has
character flaws that he must live with; Macbeth simply allowed those flaws to
destroy him. Works Cited:Bradley, A.C. "The Witch Scenes in Macbeth." England
in Literature.
Ed. John Pfordesher,Gladys V. Veidemanis, and Helen McDonnell.Illinois: Scott, Foresman, 1989. 232233 Shekespeare, William.
Macbeth. England
in Literature. Ed. John Pfordesher, Gladys V. Veidemanis, and Helen McDonnell.
Illinois: Scott, Foresman, 1989. 191262
