Lady Macbeth is a Mean Lady
Of all the Shakespeare that I have read over the years. Macbeth is by-far the second best play that I have read. Hamlet is the best, no doubt. Macbeth though is a very intriguing story from the beginning as it uses elements of fantasy and realism to create a well-thought out story. The first act is a perfect illustration as Shakespeare introduces the realism of the play in Scene 2 as there is war and strife in Duncan's kingdom and the knights under Duncan fend off the traitors (the thane of Cawdor). This is realistic as throughout history and especially in the middle ages, Europe was constantly at war for property or religion. Macbeth illustrates this well as the Thane of Cawdor was corrupted by power and wished to increase his territory and become king. The fantasy elements of the play also add an excitement to the story because the witches are very key characters for the plot as they manipulate Macbeth into believing that he will only become king through murder and revenge.
Right now in the play, there is a very little to no mystery. The only mystery so far really is whether or not Macbeth believes the prophecy of the three witches. As we find out later, Macbeth does give in to the temptation of becoming king and plans and executes his revenge/traitor scheme. Macbeth though right now in the play is conflicted as he feels an obligation to Duncan because he is the king and very well liked. Macbeth has fought for him and Duncan rewards his bravery with an even greater title of respect. But at the same time. Macbeth is power hungry and wants to rule the kingdom that Duncan rules.
Macbeth's turn to the dark side is foreshadowed in lines 157-159, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may/ crown me/ Without my stir."
Rather than say that Macbeth is a mystery story, I believe the play is a psychoanalysis of a person's desire for power and authority. Shakespeare had a deep understanding of what people feel when confronted with conflicting options. Hamlet is a more classic mystery story as you are trying to find you killed Hamlet's father.
Right now in the play, there is a very little to no mystery. The only mystery so far really is whether or not Macbeth believes the prophecy of the three witches. As we find out later, Macbeth does give in to the temptation of becoming king and plans and executes his revenge/traitor scheme. Macbeth though right now in the play is conflicted as he feels an obligation to Duncan because he is the king and very well liked. Macbeth has fought for him and Duncan rewards his bravery with an even greater title of respect. But at the same time. Macbeth is power hungry and wants to rule the kingdom that Duncan rules.
Macbeth's turn to the dark side is foreshadowed in lines 157-159, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may/ crown me/ Without my stir."
Rather than say that Macbeth is a mystery story, I believe the play is a psychoanalysis of a person's desire for power and authority. Shakespeare had a deep understanding of what people feel when confronted with conflicting options. Hamlet is a more classic mystery story as you are trying to find you killed Hamlet's father.
I also am struggling to see the mystery in this play, although I guess there is a bit of unpredictability as to whether or not Macbeth will go through with the plan. I feel like what the witches said might not have been an actual prophecy but a trick instead. They gave Macbeth a little bit of truth and then made up a lie that he would be king to drive him crazy and cause trouble. I agree that this play is dealing a lot with the concept of power and authority and there isn't a lot that we are trying to figure out at this point.
ReplyDeleteI like your statement that the "play is a psychoanalysis of a person's desire for power and authority", because I definitely see this theme in the play as well. While this is an important theme in so many Shakespeare plays, I think I like how it is portrayed in Macbeth the best so far since we are truly able to see his inner conflict between committing the murder or not. I personally find his inner thoughts about how he does not want to kill such a good person/king made me respect him more than other characters in other plays who were just focused on the consequences.
ReplyDeleteI think you're still operating by the old definition of a mystery. It's not just the unknown, but can also be the revelation of a truth that would have otherwise been an (old definition) mystery. Macbeth would have never known of his destiny to be king had the Weird sisters not revealed it to him. In this case, that is the mystery, and solving it is about making the prophecy true.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that having the Three Witches in the discussion at all is sufficient to call this a mystery story, at least for now. They introduce the whole prophecy which compels Macbeth throughout the play. Prophetic and mystical motifs are prevalent as of now, and they do coincide with our traditional definition of a mystery. I agree with your psychoanalysis comment wholeheartedly, it is in fact all perceived mostly through the eyes of Macbeth himself, which helps us get into his head. But aren't the individual notions of thought and reason, thoughts which have great disparity among the human population, enough to call even that perspective (which is Macbeth's psychological state itself) mysterious?
ReplyDeleteI think the mystery has something to do with the uber powerful witches. Macbeth receives this prophecy but the question of whether or not the prophecy was based on Macbeth's action or just fate will never be known. The mystery has to do with what Macbeth will decide to do next and how the prophecy will unfold.
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