ABOUT MACBETH
Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare’s plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606. It is frequently performed at both amateur and professional levels, and has been adapted for opera, film, books, stage and screen. Often regarded as archetypal, the play tells of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends. For the plot Shakespeare drew loosely on the historical account of King Macbeth of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed and that by the Scottish philosopher Hector Boece. There are many superstitions centred on the belief the play is somehow “cursed”, and many actors will not mention the name of the play aloud, referring to it instead as “The Scottish play”.
Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare’s plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606. It is frequently performed at both amateur and professional levels, and has been adapted for opera, film, books, stage and screen. Often regarded as archetypal, the play tells of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends. For the plot Shakespeare drew loosely on the historical account of King Macbeth of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed and that by the Scottish philosopher Hector Boece. There are many superstitions centred on the belief the play is somehow “cursed”, and many actors will not mention the name of the play aloud, referring to it instead as “The Scottish play”.
His Promotion
He play opens among thunder and lightning, with the Three Witches deciding that their next meeting shall be with Macbeth. In the following scene, a wounded sergeant reports to King Duncan of Scotland that his generals, Macbeth (who is the Thane of Glamis) and Banquo, have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonwald. Macbeth, the King’s kinsman, is praised for his bravery and fighting prowess. The scene changes. Macbeth and Banquo enter into conversation, remarking on the weather and their victory (“So foul and fair a day I have not seen”). While they wander into a heath, the three Witches, who have been waiting, greet them with prophecies. Even though it is Banquo who first challenges them, they address Macbeth. The first hails Macbeth as “Thane of Glamis”, the second as “Thane of Cawdor”, and the third proclaims that he shall “be King hereafter”. Macbeth appears stunned into silence; so again Banquo challenges them. The Witches inform Banquo he shall father a line of kings. While the two men wonder at these pronouncements, the Witches vanish, and another Thane, Ross, a messenger from the King, soon arrives and informs Macbeth of his newly bestowed title—Thane of Cawdor. The first prophecy is thus fulfilled. Immediately, Macbeth begins to harbour ambitions of becoming king.
He play opens among thunder and lightning, with the Three Witches deciding that their next meeting shall be with Macbeth. In the following scene, a wounded sergeant reports to King Duncan of Scotland that his generals, Macbeth (who is the Thane of Glamis) and Banquo, have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonwald. Macbeth, the King’s kinsman, is praised for his bravery and fighting prowess. The scene changes. Macbeth and Banquo enter into conversation, remarking on the weather and their victory (“So foul and fair a day I have not seen”). While they wander into a heath, the three Witches, who have been waiting, greet them with prophecies. Even though it is Banquo who first challenges them, they address Macbeth. The first hails Macbeth as “Thane of Glamis”, the second as “Thane of Cawdor”, and the third proclaims that he shall “be King hereafter”. Macbeth appears stunned into silence; so again Banquo challenges them. The Witches inform Banquo he shall father a line of kings. While the two men wonder at these pronouncements, the Witches vanish, and another Thane, Ross, a messenger from the King, soon arrives and informs Macbeth of his newly bestowed title—Thane of Cawdor. The first prophecy is thus fulfilled. Immediately, Macbeth begins to harbour ambitions of becoming king.
Why Did Macbeth Kill King Duncan?
There are several reasons for his decision. Macbeth has been told by the witches that he will eventually become king. If Duncan is already king, how can Macbeth become king? Answer: kill Duncan. However, this is Macbeth's first mistake. The witches operate on the basis of fate--it is destined for Macbeth to become king. However, Macbeth takes matters into his own hands (rather than just letting events play out as they will), and that disrupts fate's system. (Or you can argue that it was fated that Macbeth would kill Duncan and that's what the witches were predicting when they said he's become king.)
Lady Macbeth also encourages Macbeth to kill Duncan. She is almost most status and power hungry than he is. She calls his manhood into questions, saying if he was a true man, he would do this. She uses all sorts of feminine manipulation to persuade him into killing Duncan--and Macbeth doesn't want to see like less of a man to his wife.
When the deed is actually to be committed, Lady Macbeth said she would have killed Duncan, but he looked too much like her father when he was asleep. Therefore, it leaves Macbeth to actually do the killing.
There are several reasons for his decision. Macbeth has been told by the witches that he will eventually become king. If Duncan is already king, how can Macbeth become king? Answer: kill Duncan. However, this is Macbeth's first mistake. The witches operate on the basis of fate--it is destined for Macbeth to become king. However, Macbeth takes matters into his own hands (rather than just letting events play out as they will), and that disrupts fate's system. (Or you can argue that it was fated that Macbeth would kill Duncan and that's what the witches were predicting when they said he's become king.)
Lady Macbeth also encourages Macbeth to kill Duncan. She is almost most status and power hungry than he is. She calls his manhood into questions, saying if he was a true man, he would do this. She uses all sorts of feminine manipulation to persuade him into killing Duncan--and Macbeth doesn't want to see like less of a man to his wife.
When the deed is actually to be committed, Lady Macbeth said she would have killed Duncan, but he looked too much like her father when he was asleep. Therefore, it leaves Macbeth to actually do the killing.
Why did Macduff Kill Macbeth?
Macduff wants to kill Macbeth because Macbeth killed his entire household, and because Macbeth is driving their country into the ground.
Everyone wants the bloodthirsty Macbeth gone, but Macduff has a very personal reason. Macbeth had his wife, son, and household murdered.
All my pretty ones?
Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam
At one fell swoop?
Malcolm tries to convince Macduff to channel his grief into revenge.
Let's make us medicines of our great revenge,(250)
To cure this deadly grief.
Of course, Macduff does not need much convincing. He needs to avenge to terrible, unnecessary slaughter of his family. Revenge works best when you do it yourself. Macduff also feels responsible.
Macduff is also "the first character to suggest his suspicion regarding Macbeth's ascension to the throne" (character analysis).
Sinful Macduff,
They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,
Not for their own demerits, but for mine,
Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now!
Macduff realizes that his family was killed because of his relationship with Macbeth, so he feels the need to personally avenge them.
Macduff wants to kill Macbeth because Macbeth killed his entire household, and because Macbeth is driving their country into the ground.
Everyone wants the bloodthirsty Macbeth gone, but Macduff has a very personal reason. Macbeth had his wife, son, and household murdered.
All my pretty ones?
Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam
At one fell swoop?
Malcolm tries to convince Macduff to channel his grief into revenge.
Let's make us medicines of our great revenge,(250)
To cure this deadly grief.
Of course, Macduff does not need much convincing. He needs to avenge to terrible, unnecessary slaughter of his family. Revenge works best when you do it yourself. Macduff also feels responsible.
Macduff is also "the first character to suggest his suspicion regarding Macbeth's ascension to the throne" (character analysis).
Sinful Macduff,
They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,
Not for their own demerits, but for mine,
Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now!
Macduff realizes that his family was killed because of his relationship with Macbeth, so he feels the need to personally avenge them.