Macbeth Act 5
In the final act of the play, the prophecy given to Macbeth comes true in the best way possible. The outlandish deeds he was imagining were not quite so literal as he had in mind, and he did not realize that he had so much to fear.
When he was told that Birnam forest would march on Dunsinane hill, he was imagining that the actual trees would move, and, finding that idea unrealistic, thought he was safe. Then came a messenger with an awful realization: "as I did stand my watch upon the hill, / I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought / The Wood began to move" (5.5.37-39). Upon hearing of a moving forest, Macbeth became furious at the messenger and accused him of lying. This moment of irrational rage shows how Macbeth had lost control of his emotions, especially after being so unresponsive of the news he had just come from hearing of the death of his wife. His outraged response seems to be not to his own death, because he was so dismissive of his wife's, but because of the fact that it was predicted by the prophecy.
The other part of the prophecy which made him think he was safe was that no man born of woman could kill him. He did not think of a way in which a man could be born if not the natural way, which made Macduff's revelation all the more shocking: "Macduff was from his mother's womb / untimely ripped" (5.8.19-20). When Macduff revealed that he was birthed by c-section, Macbeth finally realized that he was going to be killed, and that the prophecy was coming true. He is accepting of his fate, resigning to put up a good fight even though he now knows that he will not win.
Shakespeare was wise in his choice of words for the prophecy, leading Macbeth and readers alike to believe in his infallibility. The mystery of Macbeth's end was solved in the final act, and the prophecy was fulfilled.
When he was told that Birnam forest would march on Dunsinane hill, he was imagining that the actual trees would move, and, finding that idea unrealistic, thought he was safe. Then came a messenger with an awful realization: "as I did stand my watch upon the hill, / I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought / The Wood began to move" (5.5.37-39). Upon hearing of a moving forest, Macbeth became furious at the messenger and accused him of lying. This moment of irrational rage shows how Macbeth had lost control of his emotions, especially after being so unresponsive of the news he had just come from hearing of the death of his wife. His outraged response seems to be not to his own death, because he was so dismissive of his wife's, but because of the fact that it was predicted by the prophecy.
The other part of the prophecy which made him think he was safe was that no man born of woman could kill him. He did not think of a way in which a man could be born if not the natural way, which made Macduff's revelation all the more shocking: "Macduff was from his mother's womb / untimely ripped" (5.8.19-20). When Macduff revealed that he was birthed by c-section, Macbeth finally realized that he was going to be killed, and that the prophecy was coming true. He is accepting of his fate, resigning to put up a good fight even though he now knows that he will not win.
Shakespeare was wise in his choice of words for the prophecy, leading Macbeth and readers alike to believe in his infallibility. The mystery of Macbeth's end was solved in the final act, and the prophecy was fulfilled.
I agree with you that Shakespeare's usage of prophecies adds an element of mystery and surprise in "Macbeth". The reader is unsure if the prophecy is ultimately true, and Shakespeare's usage of Macduff murdering Macbeth upholds the witch's prediction. Therefore, the uncertainty of the witch's trustworthiness is settled, as they are proven to have accurately foreseen Macbeth's destiny.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that the way Shakespeare handled the prophecies to be creative as well. The technicality of how the prophecies are fulfilled (such as the c-section) really catches the reader off guard. Shakespeare wrote the prophecies so that they seemed nearly impossible to become true, yet have small loopholes which I consider to be very clever.
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