A Ship Blown from A Ship Blown from Its MooringsIts MooringsFeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

16 November 201116 November 2011

Foreshadowing is particularly important in a play like Foreshadowing is particularly important in a play like this because the story is partly about the ways that this because the story is partly about the ways that foreknowledge – whether real or simply believed – can foreknowledge – whether real or simply believed – can affect us. affect us.

Consider the Machine of Death: even if I look at my Consider the Machine of Death: even if I look at my slip and see a C.o.D. that seems avoidable – slip and see a C.o.D. that seems avoidable – “underprepared blowfish,” for example – I’m going to “underprepared blowfish,” for example – I’m going to run into some serious problems if I’m going to try run into some serious problems if I’m going to try resisting the fate that’s been spelled out for me. resisting the fate that’s been spelled out for me.

Let’s say A represents me in my current state, B will Let’s say A represents me in my current state, B will represent me after I look at my C.o.D., and T represent me after I look at my C.o.D., and T represents me at the time of death. represents me at the time of death.

Theoretically, A turns to B (which tells me T), at which Theoretically, A turns to B (which tells me T), at which point I can do everything in my power to avoid T. point I can do everything in my power to avoid T.

But here’s the thing: T happens in a future that But here’s the thing: T happens in a future that includes me reading my C.o.D. includes me reading my C.o.D.

After all, B follows A, but T follows B; by looking at After all, B follows A, but T follows B; by looking at the slip, I’ve looked at a T that takes place after I the slip, I’ve looked at a T that takes place after I looked at the slip! looked at the slip!

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MacbethMacbeth Whether I look or not, then, doesn’t really Whether I look or not, then, doesn’t really

matter: no action I can take between B matter: no action I can take between B and T can change T, because T exists and T can change T, because T exists because of A, B, and every letter after. because of A, B, and every letter after.

It would seem that my only choice It would seem that my only choice pertains not to how I’ll die, but to how I’ll pertains not to how I’ll die, but to how I’ll greet the rest of my life. greet the rest of my life. (Fearfully? Normally?) (Fearfully? Normally?)

Resistance appears futile. Resistance appears futile. If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter

whether Lady Macbeth is manipulative, or whether Lady Macbeth is manipulative, or whether Macbeth himself is evil; it seems whether Macbeth himself is evil; it seems their parts were already scripted. their parts were already scripted.

On the other hand, resistance may prove futile in On the other hand, resistance may prove futile in the long term…but can’t it prove vital in the the long term…but can’t it prove vital in the short term? short term?

It seems to me that, even if I can’t eliminate my It seems to me that, even if I can’t eliminate my odds of dying from the C.o.D., I can reduce them odds of dying from the C.o.D., I can reduce them – delay the day I die. – delay the day I die.

If I’m going to die via blowfish, I can either eat If I’m going to die via blowfish, I can either eat heedlessly, or studiously avoid the fish. heedlessly, or studiously avoid the fish.

It’ll get me one day, but why hasten the process? It’ll get me one day, but why hasten the process? The Machine hasn’t told me The Machine hasn’t told me whenwhen I will die, and it I will die, and it

seems to me that if, via my knowledge of my seems to me that if, via my knowledge of my ultimate fate, I can change my habits enough to ultimate fate, I can change my habits enough to shift my death-day forward by a significant shift my death-day forward by a significant amount of time, I’ve reacted to its prophecy amount of time, I’ve reacted to its prophecy wisely. wisely.

In other words, I know how I will die, but I don’t In other words, I know how I will die, but I don’t know know howhow I will end up in the position to die. I will end up in the position to die.

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But that’s the problem with Macbeth: he takes the But that’s the problem with Macbeth: he takes the Sisters’ pronouncements as though they form a set of Sisters’ pronouncements as though they form a set of instructions. instructions.

That’s That’s notnot what they are. what they are. Snyder points out that “the Weïrd Sisters present Snyder points out that “the Weïrd Sisters present

nouns rather than verbs. They put titles on Macbeth nouns rather than verbs. They put titles on Macbeth without telling what actions he must carry out to without telling what actions he must carry out to attain those titles.” attain those titles.”

When their greetings are taken together, they’re When their greetings are taken together, they’re barely even a prophecy in the strictest sense of the barely even a prophecy in the strictest sense of the word. word.

The Sisters hailed him, and that’s pretty much it; they The Sisters hailed him, and that’s pretty much it; they tell Macbeth what he’ll be, but not how he’ll be it.tell Macbeth what he’ll be, but not how he’ll be it.

Banquo receives a more cut-and-dried prophecy, but Banquo receives a more cut-and-dried prophecy, but doesn’t do anything to bring it about; indeed, he’s doesn’t do anything to bring it about; indeed, he’s troubled by what it portends for his country. troubled by what it portends for his country.

Macbeth’s the one who goes and tries to make the Macbeth’s the one who goes and tries to make the “prophecy” a reality, whether he actually can or not.“prophecy” a reality, whether he actually can or not.

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The witches seem inhuman, yet Macbeth listens The witches seem inhuman, yet Macbeth listens to them despite his initial resistance. to them despite his initial resistance. He does the same thing with Lady Macbeth. He does the same thing with Lady Macbeth.

Remember, the Weïrd Sisters are not “weird” Remember, the Weïrd Sisters are not “weird” (notice the presence of two dots above the “i”). (notice the presence of two dots above the “i”). The word means that they’re able to see the future. The word means that they’re able to see the future.

But we don’t know why they’re here; we don’t But we don’t know why they’re here; we don’t understand the Sisters’ motives for their plans. understand the Sisters’ motives for their plans.

A later scene removes some ambiguity by A later scene removes some ambiguity by introducing Hecate as their leader, but many introducing Hecate as their leader, but many people feel Shakespeare didn’t write that scene; people feel Shakespeare didn’t write that scene; without it, we really have no idea why the without it, we really have no idea why the witches do what they do, or whether they’re any witches do what they do, or whether they’re any more beholden to “fate” than Macbeth is. more beholden to “fate” than Macbeth is.

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So why trust them? So why trust them? When Macbeth, walking with Banquo on their When Macbeth, walking with Banquo on their

way back to Forres, mentions that “so foul and way back to Forres, mentions that “so foul and fair a day I have not seen,” we’re not just fair a day I have not seen,” we’re not just reminded of the witches’ chant from earlier, or reminded of the witches’ chant from earlier, or that Macbeth himself is both fair and foul alreadythat Macbeth himself is both fair and foul already What happens to Macdonwald is Exhibit A. What happens to Macdonwald is Exhibit A.

Since we just read about the revenge the Sisters Since we just read about the revenge the Sisters exacted against that unfortunate sailor, we’re exacted against that unfortunate sailor, we’re reminded that one of them can essentially reminded that one of them can essentially control the uncontrollable – the weather. control the uncontrollable – the weather. The weather is consistently disordered – lots of storms The weather is consistently disordered – lots of storms

that symbolize the chaos and passion fueling the play. that symbolize the chaos and passion fueling the play.

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But do we know they can But do we know they can seesee the the “uncontrollable” – the future? “uncontrollable” – the future?

By the time they reach Macbeth, By the time they reach Macbeth, Cawdor’s already been taken back to Cawdor’s already been taken back to camp; the fact that word hasn’t camp; the fact that word hasn’t reached him doesn’t mean people reached him doesn’t mean people don’t already know it’s happened. don’t already know it’s happened.

In short, the “prophecy” regarding In short, the “prophecy” regarding Cawdor had already come true in the Cawdor had already come true in the present; it wasn’t prophecy at all. present; it wasn’t prophecy at all.

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But because they tell Macbeth before he has a But because they tell Macbeth before he has a chance to know they’re being truthful, he chance to know they’re being truthful, he interprets the sequence of events – they tell him interprets the sequence of events – they tell him he’s something he’s not, then he learns that he’s he’s something he’s not, then he learns that he’s actually earned that title – as evidence of their actually earned that title – as evidence of their foreknowledge. foreknowledge.

And yes, history ultimately unfolds the way the And yes, history ultimately unfolds the way the Sisters say it will – Macbeth serves as king, and Sisters say it will – Macbeth serves as king, and Banquo’s descendants will rule. Banquo’s descendants will rule.

But we don’t know whether that means the But we don’t know whether that means the witches can see the future, or whether they’re witches can see the future, or whether they’re just really good at shaping it with their words. just really good at shaping it with their words.

If it’s the latter, it won’t be the last time If it’s the latter, it won’t be the last time Macbeth’s actions are shaped by what women Macbeth’s actions are shaped by what women say…or suffers the consequence of listening to say…or suffers the consequence of listening to something seemingly inhuman, something evil, something seemingly inhuman, something evil, only to forget what makes him good or human. only to forget what makes him good or human.

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The question of whether the witches can really see the The question of whether the witches can really see the future is a pretty uncomfortable one for much of the play; future is a pretty uncomfortable one for much of the play; there’s a little more evidence to support their abilities in there’s a little more evidence to support their abilities in the fourth act, but we don’t see them again until then. the fourth act, but we don’t see them again until then.

That question, in turn, leads to a whole host of othersThat question, in turn, leads to a whole host of others If the Sisters If the Sisters cancan see the future, is Macbeth still see the future, is Macbeth still

responsible for his actions? responsible for his actions? If they can’t, how is Macbeth able to make events play out If they can’t, how is Macbeth able to make events play out

in ways that make their words come true? in ways that make their words come true? Should the witches be trusted when we have no idea what Should the witches be trusted when we have no idea what

their agenda could be, or where their interests lie? their agenda could be, or where their interests lie? Do they have Macbeth’s (and Banquo’s) best interests in Do they have Macbeth’s (and Banquo’s) best interests in

mind?mind? Keep in mind that they originally didn’t tell Banquo his son Keep in mind that they originally didn’t tell Banquo his son

would be king. would be king. And can Macbeth even resist their prophecies?And can Macbeth even resist their prophecies?

When you read Act III, consider what happens to Macbeth When you read Act III, consider what happens to Macbeth when he starts “acting on his own.”when he starts “acting on his own.”

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In the here and now, Macbeth and Banquo encounter In the here and now, Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches under darkening, turbulent skies, hear the witches under darkening, turbulent skies, hear their words, and watch them vanish into thin air. their words, and watch them vanish into thin air.

The men’s reactions differ substantially. The men’s reactions differ substantially. Macbeth disbelieves (rationally), but is tempted by Macbeth disbelieves (rationally), but is tempted by

the witches’ words; this reveals itself in his pleading the witches’ words; this reveals itself in his pleading demands for follow-up information, truths that the demands for follow-up information, truths that the witches never provide. witches never provide.

Banquo’s unconvinced until Ross and Angus arrive; Banquo’s unconvinced until Ross and Angus arrive; when they do show, he’s still wondering whether he when they do show, he’s still wondering whether he and Macbeth have simply gone crazy after fighting for and Macbeth have simply gone crazy after fighting for so long. so long.

But when the newcomers deliver information that But when the newcomers deliver information that verifies one of the claims the witches made regarding verifies one of the claims the witches made regarding Macbeth, Banquo reacts with astonishment – belief, Macbeth, Banquo reacts with astonishment – belief, but skeptical belief. but skeptical belief.

Macbeth, on the other hand, immediately jumps a Macbeth, on the other hand, immediately jumps a step ahead, picturing a crown upon his own head. step ahead, picturing a crown upon his own head.

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Banquo cautions Macbeth that “to win us our Banquo cautions Macbeth that “to win us our harm,/Th’ instruments of darkness tell us harm,/Th’ instruments of darkness tell us truths,/Win us with honest trifles, to betray ‘s/In truths,/Win us with honest trifles, to betray ‘s/In deepest consequence.” deepest consequence.”

In other words, the devil may give you a couple In other words, the devil may give you a couple of mild truths in order to win your trust, and then of mild truths in order to win your trust, and then hang you with the trust he’s earned. hang you with the trust he’s earned. We’ve already seen this with Cawdor. We’ve already seen this with Cawdor.

But while Banquo tries to keep his friend from But while Banquo tries to keep his friend from staring into the abyss, it’s already too late. staring into the abyss, it’s already too late.

Even when Macbeth tries to back away from his Even when Macbeth tries to back away from his scheme later in the act, that same voice of scheme later in the act, that same voice of darkness and heartless ambition (now in the darkness and heartless ambition (now in the form of Lady Macbeth) pushes him right back to form of Lady Macbeth) pushes him right back to the edge. the edge.

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For the bulk of the scene’s second half, Macbeth For the bulk of the scene’s second half, Macbeth walks the stage soliloquizing, wondering whether he walks the stage soliloquizing, wondering whether he should trust the witches and arguing well for either should trust the witches and arguing well for either side. side.

In the end, he merely chooses what he wants to In the end, he merely chooses what he wants to believe – that he, a mere nobleman with no family believe – that he, a mere nobleman with no family save his wife to call his own, could rule a nation – and save his wife to call his own, could rule a nation – and that choice starts him down a very dark path. that choice starts him down a very dark path.

Notice, however, that he’s wavering a bit, even here: Notice, however, that he’s wavering a bit, even here: Snyder calls attention to the absence of Macbeth’s Snyder calls attention to the absence of Macbeth’s burning desire to rule, and it’s a point that resonates burning desire to rule, and it’s a point that resonates particularly well in this scene. particularly well in this scene.

Sure, Macbeth seems excited, but we don’t really Sure, Macbeth seems excited, but we don’t really understand why he would want to be king. understand why he would want to be king.

And other than a creeping sense that he doesn’t want And other than a creeping sense that he doesn’t want to be forgotten, we never really know why: we just to be forgotten, we never really know why: we just watch it happen, horrified but fascinated by the watch it happen, horrified but fascinated by the descent. descent.

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Scene IV opens with Cawdor dying by another’s Scene IV opens with Cawdor dying by another’s hand, which surprises nobody: of course King hand, which surprises nobody: of course King Duncan kills by proxy. Duncan kills by proxy. For that matter, so will King Macbeth. For that matter, so will King Macbeth.

Shortly thereafter, Duncan mentions that you can Shortly thereafter, Duncan mentions that you can never truly tell what another man is thinking, never truly tell what another man is thinking, and that he was therefore foolish to have trusted and that he was therefore foolish to have trusted the Thane of Cawdor completely. the Thane of Cawdor completely.

It’s a good point…except he then goes and does It’s a good point…except he then goes and does the same thing with Macbeth, which seems the same thing with Macbeth, which seems incredibly naïve. incredibly naïve.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to notice that naiveté Unfortunately, it’s easy to notice that naiveté without seeing the greater significance of his without seeing the greater significance of his words – specifically, how the inability to trust words – specifically, how the inability to trust one’s own judgment ends up driving the entire one’s own judgment ends up driving the entire play. play.

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It’s not just a matter of Duncan not being able to It’s not just a matter of Duncan not being able to size people up correctly. size people up correctly.

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, even Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, even Banquo – every major character, at some point in Banquo – every major character, at some point in the play, makes a serious error when predicting the play, makes a serious error when predicting either the consequences of certain actions or either the consequences of certain actions or what someone else will do. what someone else will do. Duncan just happens to be Duncan just happens to be exceptionallyexceptionally bad at judging bad at judging

people; for someone we’re supposed to respect as a people; for someone we’re supposed to respect as a good king, he certainly has his flaws. good king, he certainly has his flaws.

The King’s almost-unconscious realization that The King’s almost-unconscious realization that our eyes can betray us, and that we can see what our eyes can betray us, and that we can see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear, we want to see and hear what we want to hear, provides Shakespeare with a means to further provides Shakespeare with a means to further develop his exploration of blindness and control. develop his exploration of blindness and control.

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When Duncan suddenly announces that Malcolm will be the When Duncan suddenly announces that Malcolm will be the Prince of Cumberland – i.e., has officially reached the age Prince of Cumberland – i.e., has officially reached the age at which he’s ready to assume the throne if needed – he at which he’s ready to assume the throne if needed – he harshly reminds Macbeth of his place outside of the usual harshly reminds Macbeth of his place outside of the usual line of succession, and that he’ll need to get rid of more line of succession, and that he’ll need to get rid of more than Duncan if he wants to reach the throne. than Duncan if he wants to reach the throne.

Macbeth hadn’t really considered the degree of difficulty Macbeth hadn’t really considered the degree of difficulty inherent in pulling off his plan. inherent in pulling off his plan.

When he prays for the stars to “hide [their] fires! / Let not When he prays for the stars to “hide [their] fires! / Let not light see my black and deep desires,” he draws an light see my black and deep desires,” he draws an immediate parallel to Duncan’s earlier point about not immediate parallel to Duncan’s earlier point about not being able to trust the world as you see it. being able to trust the world as you see it.

This idea of something wicked hiding behind something This idea of something wicked hiding behind something pleasant pops up throughout the play; we’ll see it again pleasant pops up throughout the play; we’ll see it again when we meet Lady Macbeth, who advises her husband to when we meet Lady Macbeth, who advises her husband to “look like the innocent flower,/But be the serpent under’t.” “look like the innocent flower,/But be the serpent under’t.”

But his choice of words is most unfortunate: he’s just But his choice of words is most unfortunate: he’s just hoping for the chance to finalize his plans without anyone hoping for the chance to finalize his plans without anyone discovering what he’s up to…but the “stars” in discovering what he’s up to…but the “stars” in Shakespeare’s works are not to be trifled with. Shakespeare’s works are not to be trifled with.

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MacbethMacbeth We meet Lady Macbeth in the cold We meet Lady Macbeth in the cold

opening to Scene V, as she reads her opening to Scene V, as she reads her husband’s letter and learns of the husband’s letter and learns of the witches’ words. witches’ words.

She immediately – and correctly – She immediately – and correctly – concludes that while he has enough concludes that while he has enough ambition to want power, he lacks the ambition to want power, he lacks the ruthlessness he needs to take power: his ruthlessness he needs to take power: his nature is too full of “human kindness” for nature is too full of “human kindness” for him to do what is necessary. him to do what is necessary.

She vows to herself that she’ll say She vows to herself that she’ll say whatever it takes to get her husband to whatever it takes to get her husband to change his mind; obviously, she’s looking change his mind; obviously, she’s looking out for herself, but in doing so she’s also out for herself, but in doing so she’s also protecting her husband’s “best interests.” protecting her husband’s “best interests.”

MacbethMacbeth But when she hears word that Duncan is arriving at But when she hears word that Duncan is arriving at

the castle – indeed, that he’ll be staying the night the castle – indeed, that he’ll be staying the night with them – she, like her husband, reacts with with them – she, like her husband, reacts with disbelief and guarded optimism. disbelief and guarded optimism.

Can things really fall into place that easily? Can things really fall into place that easily? Are the heavens moving the chess pieces into just the Are the heavens moving the chess pieces into just the

right spots for things to go their way? right spots for things to go their way? Knowing that her husband will likely waver when Knowing that her husband will likely waver when

confronted with the nature of his task – unzipping a confronted with the nature of his task – unzipping a rebel leader is one thing, but murdering someone you rebel leader is one thing, but murdering someone you considered a good king and a beloved friend as he considered a good king and a beloved friend as he sleeps is quite another – Lady Macbeth steels herself sleeps is quite another – Lady Macbeth steels herself for what’s to come. for what’s to come.

She prays to the gods to “unsex” her – i.e., to remove She prays to the gods to “unsex” her – i.e., to remove the “milk of human kindness” that supposedly makes the “milk of human kindness” that supposedly makes women weak and compassionate, and to fill her up women weak and compassionate, and to fill her up with the resolve she’ll need to steer her husband with the resolve she’ll need to steer her husband down the “correct” path. down the “correct” path.

MacbethMacbeth It’s important to notice the parallels between her It’s important to notice the parallels between her

request and Macbeth’s; this indicates, perhaps, request and Macbeth’s; this indicates, perhaps, that she and her husband are not as dissimilar as that she and her husband are not as dissimilar as we’d first expect. we’d first expect.

She, like her husband (who cries out “Stars, hide She, like her husband (who cries out “Stars, hide your fires!”), prays for darkness to fall and cover your fires!”), prays for darkness to fall and cover her deeds. her deeds.

She, too, prays for the strength to do what fate She, too, prays for the strength to do what fate seems to dictate. seems to dictate.

But while Macbeth clearly believes the witches But while Macbeth clearly believes the witches can see the future, it’s not at all clear that can see the future, it’s not at all clear that Lady Lady Macbeth believes. Macbeth believes.

For her, the witches’ words are a mean to an For her, the witches’ words are a mean to an end. end.

They don’t have to describe a future that They don’t have to describe a future that shouldshould happen: they have to describe a future she can happen: they have to describe a future she can makemake happen. happen.

MacbethMacbeth Scene VI is exceptionally short: Shakespeare Scene VI is exceptionally short: Shakespeare

liked making use of these little sequences, both liked making use of these little sequences, both in order to break up his pacing and in order to in order to break up his pacing and in order to slip little things into his plays that only the slip little things into his plays that only the attentive audience members would notice. attentive audience members would notice.

Banquo offhandedly mentions that the birds use Banquo offhandedly mentions that the birds use Macbeth’s castle as a nesting ground after they Macbeth’s castle as a nesting ground after they leave the churches where they usually live, leave the churches where they usually live, providing an ironic juxtaposition between the providing an ironic juxtaposition between the castle as place-of-virtuous-life and the castle as castle as place-of-virtuous-life and the castle as the place-of-treacherous-death it will soon the place-of-treacherous-death it will soon become. become.

That speaks to the scene’s second purpose: you’ll That speaks to the scene’s second purpose: you’ll notice a great deal of “doubling” in the dialogue. notice a great deal of “doubling” in the dialogue.

This subtly references the double face that This subtly references the double face that Macbeth must wear: look like the flower, strike Macbeth must wear: look like the flower, strike like the serpent. like the serpent.

MacbethMacbeth But Scene VII takes a strikingly different tone. But Scene VII takes a strikingly different tone. Macbeth doesn’t Macbeth doesn’t want want to look like the flower, let to look like the flower, let

alone strike like the serpent. alone strike like the serpent. He can’t convince himself to wear the false face. He can’t convince himself to wear the false face. In one of the play’s most famous sequences, Macbeth In one of the play’s most famous sequences, Macbeth

agonizes alone about whether to go through with agonizes alone about whether to go through with his/Lady Macbeth’s plot, ultimately resolving – alone – his/Lady Macbeth’s plot, ultimately resolving – alone – to abandon the entire venture. to abandon the entire venture.

Macbeth is painfully aware here of what he hadn’t Macbeth is painfully aware here of what he hadn’t realized in Scene IV, and what he later forgets: that realized in Scene IV, and what he later forgets: that things are never as simple as “kill the king, take the things are never as simple as “kill the king, take the throne.” throne.”

This hearkens back to the “chess piece” and choice This hearkens back to the “chess piece” and choice discussion from the play’s beginning: consequences discussion from the play’s beginning: consequences lead to further consequences, not dead ends – and lead to further consequences, not dead ends – and Macbeth suspects that those consequences would Macbeth suspects that those consequences would force him to face an appropriate fate if he did end up force him to face an appropriate fate if he did end up killing Duncan. killing Duncan.

MacbethMacbeth Macbeth has plenty of reasons beyond simple self-Macbeth has plenty of reasons beyond simple self-

preservation to let Duncan live. preservation to let Duncan live. He just risked his life – twice – defending his rule, and He just risked his life – twice – defending his rule, and

killing those subjects who would strike at his king. killing those subjects who would strike at his king. Moreover, it’s wrong for Macbeth to use – really, to abuse – Moreover, it’s wrong for Macbeth to use – really, to abuse –

his role as host in order to lure his prey into a trap. his role as host in order to lure his prey into a trap. Dante chillingly suggested what happened to those who Dante chillingly suggested what happened to those who

betrayed their guests; it’s not a fate Macbeth would want. betrayed their guests; it’s not a fate Macbeth would want. He mentions that Duncan is “here in double trust,” and He mentions that Duncan is “here in double trust,” and

here the “doubling” serves not to show someone’s hidden here the “doubling” serves not to show someone’s hidden motives, but to strongly emphasize the necessity of motives, but to strongly emphasize the necessity of sparing the king. sparing the king.

And despite my criticism of him, Duncan hasn’t really done And despite my criticism of him, Duncan hasn’t really done anything wrong, or at least anything that would justify his anything wrong, or at least anything that would justify his slaughter. slaughter.

This isn’t a matter of replacing a harmful or tyrannical This isn’t a matter of replacing a harmful or tyrannical ruler with someone better-suited to rule; this would be ruler with someone better-suited to rule; this would be murder, plain and simple. murder, plain and simple.

MacbethMacbeth So when Lady Macbeth arrives, Macbeth So when Lady Macbeth arrives, Macbeth

essentially tells her to be patient – that he’s essentially tells her to be patient – that he’s barely lived a day as the Thane of Cawdor, and barely lived a day as the Thane of Cawdor, and that they might as well enjoy their new honors that they might as well enjoy their new honors instead of rapidly casting them aside. instead of rapidly casting them aside.

Based on what we’ve explored earlier, it’s Based on what we’ve explored earlier, it’s unsurprising that Lady Macbeth reacts somewhat unsurprising that Lady Macbeth reacts somewhat poorly to his suggestion. poorly to his suggestion.

Instead, she fights back with an almost Instead, she fights back with an almost animalistic fury, mocking everything about her animalistic fury, mocking everything about her husband – questioning his love, his manhood, his husband – questioning his love, his manhood, his honor, his courage. honor, his courage.

It’s a blitzkrieg offensive, and Macbeth is It’s a blitzkrieg offensive, and Macbeth is completely overwhelmed by her; his denials and completely overwhelmed by her; his denials and refusals sound defeated even as they leave his refusals sound defeated even as they leave his lips. lips.

Worse still, she seems to have justification for Worse still, she seems to have justification for each accusation. each accusation.

MacbethMacbeth When Macbeth states that he’s willing to do When Macbeth states that he’s willing to do

whatever men do, but that he won’t turn himself whatever men do, but that he won’t turn himself into a monster for power’s sake, it’s a terrible, into a monster for power’s sake, it’s a terrible, poignant line: we know, as soon as he says those poignant line: we know, as soon as he says those words, exactly what Shakespeare will make him words, exactly what Shakespeare will make him become. become.

What people often miss, or misinterpret, is what What people often miss, or misinterpret, is what Lady Macbeth says in response. Lady Macbeth says in response.

She replies that real men wouldn’t crumble in the She replies that real men wouldn’t crumble in the face of fear, and that real men follow through on face of fear, and that real men follow through on what they say they’ll do; she even says she’d be what they say they’ll do; she even says she’d be willing to kill her own child as it nursed from her willing to kill her own child as it nursed from her if she had pledged to do so, and dares her if she had pledged to do so, and dares her husband to meet her level of commitment to husband to meet her level of commitment to one’s word. one’s word.

MacbethMacbeth Macbeth crumbles, and tells her she’s only fit to Macbeth crumbles, and tells her she’s only fit to

have male children, as her fighting soul couldn’t have male children, as her fighting soul couldn’t produce a “soft” female child. produce a “soft” female child.

But this “heartlessness” exposes her own relative But this “heartlessness” exposes her own relative powerlessness: her soul is trapped within a female powerlessness: her soul is trapped within a female body that allows a society she could conquer to body that allows a society she could conquer to cage her. cage her.

In a man’s body, she’d be a fierce warrior, prized In a man’s body, she’d be a fierce warrior, prized for her ability to unzip rebel leaders in a single for her ability to unzip rebel leaders in a single swipe. swipe.

Instead, she’s marginalized and sidelined. Instead, she’s marginalized and sidelined. And as we’ll see later in the play, even she’s And as we’ll see later in the play, even she’s

unprepared for the consequences of her actions; unprepared for the consequences of her actions; she’s less capable of living with what she’s done she’s less capable of living with what she’s done than she assumed she’d be. than she assumed she’d be.

This doesn’t even begin to get into the terrifying This doesn’t even begin to get into the terrifying implications of her line about dashing out the implications of her line about dashing out the baby’s brains; if she’s nursed, as she says she has, baby’s brains; if she’s nursed, as she says she has, where’s her child?where’s her child?

MacbethMacbeth So the two resolve to get Duncan’s men So the two resolve to get Duncan’s men

drunk enough to be blamed for the crime; drunk enough to be blamed for the crime; Macbeth will stab Duncan with their own Macbeth will stab Duncan with their own daggers, thus implicating them in their daggers, thus implicating them in their king’s slaughter. king’s slaughter.

We’ve discussed inebriation – the loss of We’ve discussed inebriation – the loss of control – in control – in Siddhartha;Siddhartha; we’re left to we’re left to wonder here whether the stars, or our wonder here whether the stars, or our own complicated deceptions, make own complicated deceptions, make drunkards of us all. drunkards of us all.

The scene closes with a line from The scene closes with a line from Macbeth, a final reminder of Duncan’s Macbeth, a final reminder of Duncan’s fateful words about trusting one’s sight: fateful words about trusting one’s sight: “False face must hide what the false heart “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” doth know.”