Shakespeares Macbeth
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is among the most famous and oft studied tragedies of all time. The story follows the corrupting journey of a brave Scottish general’s ambition and thirst for power, discovering too late the horrific consequences of his actions. Macbeth is well-known among readers and critics alike for its intricate and thought-provoking exploration of ideas such as guilt, ambition, and fate.
The play begins just after Macbeth has defeated a Norwegian force of invaders, and he and his friend Banquo are on their way home. Along their journey they meet three witches, who prophesize that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and then eventually, king of Scotland. At first, Macbeth has qualms about fulfilling these two positions and deposing the good King Duncan, but his ambitious wife Lady Macbeth begins to push him relentlessly.
After this inciting incident, Lady Macbeth and her husband plot the murder of King Duncan to fulfill the prophecy and gain the throne. Here we see echoed throughout the play the important theme of guilt, and what a person will do in the pursuit of power to stay in power. Unfortunately, the power Macbeth gained was bought with many innocent lives, for he soon begins to plot the deaths of anyone who threatens his kingship.
After a series of bloody murders and battles, Macbeth eventually meets his own demise at the hands of Macduff, a man he has wronged. This is the final echo of guilt and fate, as it is only when Macbeth realizes that his life is coming to an end that he fully understands the terrible implications of his actions. The play ends with Malcolm, the last remaining noble, being crowned as the new king, a symbol of hope for a brighter Scotland.
In addition to examining such complex themes, Macbeth is also an excellent example of Elizabethan theater in action. It parallels the real-life political struggles of this particular time period and its language is, of course, fascinating. Macbeth paints a vivid and sometimes horrifying picture of man’s relationship to the modern world. It is a testament to Shakespeare’s genius that the struggles of Macbeth still resonate with readers almost four centuries after it was first performed.
