Macbeth: Macbeth: A Ship Blown A Ship Blown

From Its MooringsFrom Its Moorings

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

4 November 20134 November 2013

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

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

Let’s say A represents me in my Let’s say A represents me in my current state, B will represent me current state, B will represent me after I look at my C.o.D., and T 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 Theoretically, A turns to B (which tells me T), at which point I can do tells me T), at which point I can do everything in my power to avoid T. everything in my power to avoid T.

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

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

Whether I look or not, then, doesn’t Whether I look or not, then, doesn’t really matter: no action I can take really matter: no action I can take between B and T can change T, because T between B and T can change T, because T exists because of A, B, and every letter exists because of A, B, and every letter after. 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 On the other hand, resistance may prove futile in the long term…may prove futile in the long term…but can’t it prove vital in the short but can’t it prove vital in the short term? term?

It seems to me that, even if I It seems to me that, even if I can’t eliminate my odds of dying can’t eliminate my odds of dying from the C.o.D., I can reduce them – 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 If I’m going to die via blowfish, I can either eat heedlessly, or can either eat heedlessly, or studiously avoid the fish. studiously avoid the fish.

Yeah, it’ll get me one day, but Yeah, it’ll get me one day, but why hasten the process?why hasten the process?

The Machine hasn’t told me The Machine hasn’t told me whenwhen I I will die, and it seems to me that if, via my will die, and it seems to me that if, via my knowledge of my ultimate fate, I can knowledge of my ultimate fate, I can change my habits enough to shift my change my habits enough to shift my death-day forward by a significant amount death-day forward by a significant amount of time, I’ve reacted to its prophecy of time, I’ve reacted to its prophecy wisely. wisely.

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

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

That’s That’s notnot what they are. what they are.

Susan Snyder points out that “the Weïrd Susan Snyder points out that “the Weïrd Sisters present nouns rather than verbs. Sisters present nouns rather than verbs. They put titles on Macbeth without telling They put titles on Macbeth without telling what actions he must carry out to attain what actions he must carry out to attain those titles.” those titles.”

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

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

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

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

The witches seem inhuman, yet Macbeth The witches seem inhuman, yet Macbeth listens to them despite his initial resistance.listens to them despite his initial resistance.

(You may recognize that he does the same (You may recognize that he does the same thing with Lady Macbeth…)thing with Lady Macbeth…)

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

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

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

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

What happens to Macdonwald is Exhibit What happens to Macdonwald is Exhibit A, right? A, right?

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

The weather is consistently disordered – The weather is consistently disordered – lots of storms that symbolize the chaos and lots of storms that symbolize the chaos and passion fueling the play. passion fueling the play.

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

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

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

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

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

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

That question, in turn, leads to a That question, in turn, leads to a whole host of others.whole host of others.

If the Sisters If the Sisters cancan see the future, is see the future, is Macbeth still responsible for his actions? Macbeth still responsible for his actions?

If they can’t, how is Macbeth able to If they can’t, how is Macbeth able to make events play out in ways that make make events play out in ways that make their words come true? their words come true?

Moreover, should the witches be Moreover, should the witches be trusted when we have no idea what trusted when we have no idea what their agenda could be, or where their their agenda could be, or where their interests lie? interests lie?

Do they have Macbeth’s (and Do they have Macbeth’s (and Banquo’s) best interests in mind?Banquo’s) best interests in mind?

Keep in mind that they originally Keep in mind that they originally didn’t tell Banquo his son would be didn’t tell Banquo his son would be king. king.

And can Macbeth even resist And can Macbeth even resist their prophecies?their prophecies?

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

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

Their reactions differ Their reactions differ substantially. substantially.

Macbeth disbelieves (rationally), Macbeth disbelieves (rationally), but is tempted by the witches’ words; but is tempted by the witches’ words; this reveals itself in his pleading this reveals itself in his pleading demands for follow-up information, demands for follow-up information, truths that the witches never provide.truths that the witches never provide.

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

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

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

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

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

We’ve We’ve alreadyalready seen this with Cawdor! seen this with Cawdor! But while Banquo tries to keep his friend But while Banquo tries to keep his friend

from, as the quote goes, staring into the from, as the quote goes, staring into the abyss, it’s already too late. abyss, it’s already too late.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duncan just happens to be Duncan just happens to be exceptionallyexceptionally bad at judging people; for bad at judging people; for someone we’re supposed to respect as a 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 The King’s almost-unconscious realization that our eyes can betray us, realization that our eyes can betray us, and that we can see what we want to see and that we can see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear, provides and hear what we want to hear, provides Shakespeare with a means to further Shakespeare with a means to further develop his exploration of blindness and develop his exploration of blindness and control. control.

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

But when she hears word that But when she hears word that Duncan is arriving at the castle – Duncan is arriving at the castle – indeed, that he’ll be staying the indeed, that he’ll be staying the night with them – she, like her night with them – she, like her husband, reacts with disbelief husband, reacts with disbelief and guarded optimism. and guarded optimism.

Can things really fall into Can things really fall into place that easily? place that easily?

Are the heavens moving the Are the heavens moving the chess pieces into just the right chess pieces into just the right spots for things to go their way? spots for things to go their way?

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

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

It’s important to notice the parallels It’s important to notice the parallels between her request and Macbeth’s; this between her request and Macbeth’s; this indicates, perhaps, that she and her indicates, perhaps, that she and her husband are not as dissimilar as we’d first husband are not as dissimilar as we’d first expect. expect.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Banquo offhandedly mentions that the birds Banquo offhandedly mentions that the birds use Macbeth’s castle as a nesting ground after use Macbeth’s castle as a nesting ground after they leave the churches where they usually live, they 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: That speaks to the scene’s second purpose: you’ll notice a great deal of “doubling” in the you’ll notice a great deal of “doubling” in the dialogue. 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.

But Scene VII takes a strikingly different But Scene VII takes a strikingly different tone.tone.

Macbeth doesn’t Macbeth doesn’t want want to look like the to look like the flower, let alone strike like the serpent. flower, let alone strike like the serpent.

He can’t convince himself to wear the false He can’t convince himself to wear the false face. face.

In one of the play’s most famous sequences, In one of the play’s most famous sequences, Macbeth agonizes alone about whether to go Macbeth agonizes alone about whether to go through with his/Lady Macbeth’s plot, ultimately through with his/Lady Macbeth’s plot, ultimately resolving – alone – to abandon the entire venture. resolving – alone – to abandon the entire venture.

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

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

Macbeth has plenty of reasons beyond simple Macbeth has plenty of reasons beyond simple self-preservation to let Duncan live. self-preservation to let Duncan live.

He just risked his life – twice – defending his He just risked his life – twice – defending his rule, and killing those subjects who would strike at rule, and killing those subjects who would strike at his king. his king.

Moreover, it’s wrong for Macbeth to use – really, to Moreover, it’s wrong for Macbeth to use – really, to abuse – his role as host in order to lure his prey abuse – his role as host in order to lure his prey into a trap. (Dante chillingly suggested what into a trap. (Dante chillingly suggested what happened to those who betrayed their guests; it’s happened to those who betrayed their guests; it’s not a fate Macbeth would want.) not a fate Macbeth would want.)

He mentions that Duncan is “here in double He mentions that Duncan is “here in double trust,” and here the “doubling” serves not to show trust,” and here the “doubling” serves not to show someone’s hidden motives, but to strongly someone’s hidden motives, but to strongly emphasize the necessity of sparing the king. emphasize the necessity of sparing the king.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Macbeth crumbles, and tells her she’s only Macbeth crumbles, and tells her she’s only fit to have male children, as her fighting soul fit to have male children, as her fighting soul couldn’t produce a “soft” female child. couldn’t produce a “soft” female child.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We’ve discussed inebriation – the loss We’ve discussed inebriation – the loss of control – in of 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.”