Macbeth

Author: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Written: c 1606
Editors: Jonathan Bale and Eric Rasmussen
Publisher: Modern Library (2009 Edition)
Bought from: Book Depository


Introduction

It is believed that this play was written during the reign of King James I of England (formerly King James VI of Scotland). He succeeded Queen Elizabeth I and the Golden Age of Elizabethan literature and drama continued during his reign.

This is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies. The only extant copy of the play is in the First Folio of 1623. It is believed that the First Folio version may have been edited, possibly by an English dramatist Thomas Middleton. This play is Shakespeare shortest tragedy (its brevity has led some scholars to believe that the First Folio version is based on a heavily cut source, perhaps a prompt-book for a particular performance). There is no sub-plot. There is no clown or fool character. The only comedy takes place over a few lines (2.3.1-38).

Macbeth and several other characters are loosely based on historical figures from 10th century Scotland but with substantial literary license to fit the Jacobean audience of that time.


What is it about?

Macbeth takes place in an unspecified time at various places in Scotland and England.

Macbeth, Thane (nobleman) of Glamis, encounters three witches who prophesy that he will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland. The witches then say to his ally Banquo “Thou shall get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.69). The first prophecy comes true almost immediately. To fulfill the second prophecy, Macbeth, aided and abetted by his wife (Lady Macbeth), murders Duncan the King of Scotland. Duncan’s heirs flee Scotland and Macbeth crowns himself King of Scotland.

Macbeth remembers the witches’ third prophecy and sets out to murder Banquo and his son Fleance. Macbeth’s henchmen succeed in killing Banquo but Fleance escapes. Macbeth is shaken after a visit by Banquo’s ghost and goes to see the witches. Macbeth now receives three prophecies:

(a) “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff” (another noble) (4.1.77);
(b) “Be bloody, bold and resolute: laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.85-88); and
(c) “Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care / Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: / Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dusinane Hill / Shall come against him” (4.197-101).

Macbeth learns that Macduff has fled to England leaving his family unprotected. Macbeth has everyone in Macduff’s castle including his wife and “babes” slaughtered. Duncan’s son Malcolm leads an army of Scottish and English soldiers, including Macduff against Macbeth who is in his stronghold Dusinane Castle near Birnam Wood. From Birnam Wood, the rebels advance carrying tree branches to mask their numbers, thus fulfilling the witches’ third prophecy.

In the meantime, word reaches Macbeth that Lady Macbeth has died, probably driven to suicide by the guilt of all the murders she has been party to. The battle at Dusinane Castle culminates in a face-off between Macbeth and Macduff. Macduff reveals that he “was from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (ie. born by caesarean birth). Macduff kills Macbeth, thus fulfilling the witches’ first and second prophecies.

The play ends with Malcolm crowned the new King of Scotland.


Themes

Due to the brevity of the play lead, characters other than Macbeth and his wife are underdeveloped. The Macbeths are defined by a common trait, ie. ambition. Macbeth and his wife coax and cajole each other in turn to achieve Macbeth's ambition to be king. Indeed the term Lady Macbeth has become synonymous with a cold-blooded and ambitious woman. Together, they perpetrate regicide, murder and even infanticide.

The three witches brings an element of the supernatural into the play. In Hamlet, the supernatural (ie. the ghost of Hamlet’s father) is fairly benign. In Macbeth however there is a dark undertone to the prophesies the witches’ made to Macbeth and Banquo. It is almost as if they had already decided to destroy Macbeth in the very first meeting when they called him King of Scotland.

What about the witches’ prophesy that Banquo will be the father of future kings? As the play ends, it is Malcolm, and not Banquo’s son Fleance, that is crowned king. The prophecy is probably Shakespere’s nod to the fact that, during that period, King James was believed to be descended from Banquo. Apparently, this was proven wrong later. So this is one prophecy of the witches that does not come true.

What about the book?

Each of the books in the RSC Shakespeare series published by The Modern Library comes with very informative footnotes, helpful scene-by-scene analysis and, best of all, commentary on past and current productions that comes with interviews with leading directors and actor. The books are also very reasonably priced. Best of all, the introductions are not overly long and focus on a few talking points for each play. The paper quality is not particularly good though. Also, the covers are not very attractive.


Finally …

My top 5 Shakespeare tragedies:

1. Hamlet
2. Romeo and Juliet
3. Macbeth
4. Othello
5. King Lear


Et cetera

Macbeth is undone ultimately done in by what is called a literal quibble. The witches’ phrase “none of woman born” does not, as he found out, refer to a person not born to a woman. A similar word play appears in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It is prophesised that “not by the hand of man will the Witch-king of Angmar fall”. As it turns out, it was a woman and a hobbit who slay him during the climatic battle of the Pelennor Fields in The Return of the King.