Macbeth: Macbeth: No Good Deed Goes UnpunishedNo Good Deed Goes Unpunished

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28 October 201328 October 2013

We meet Duncan in Forres, a We meet Duncan in Forres, a Scottish town near (but not at) Scottish town near (but not at) the scene of the battle.the scene of the battle.

The battle is being fought at The battle is being fought at Fife, another Scottish town. Fife, another Scottish town.

You’ll notice this motif of You’ll notice this motif of absent leadership throughout absent leadership throughout the play: those with power tend the play: those with power tend to wage war and fight battles by to wage war and fight battles by proxy. proxy.

This may not seem odd from a This may not seem odd from a contemporary perspective, but it’s contemporary perspective, but it’s wise to keep a slightly older view in wise to keep a slightly older view in mind. mind.

Anyone who’s seen Anyone who’s seen BraveheartBraveheart understands the raw power of a ruler understands the raw power of a ruler who leads from the front of the who leads from the front of the battle, rather than simply sending battle, rather than simply sending waves of his minions forth to perish. waves of his minions forth to perish.

It’s at least a little odd that It’s at least a little odd that Duncan doesn’t join in the fight to Duncan doesn’t join in the fight to reclaim his country. reclaim his country.

At any rate, at the time of Scene At any rate, at the time of Scene II’s opening, the fight against II’s opening, the fight against Macdonwald (the head rebel, not the Macdonwald (the head rebel, not the fast-food chain) could be going better fast-food chain) could be going better for Duncan. for Duncan.

The battle has basically been The battle has basically been fought to a standstill – neither side fought to a standstill – neither side dominating the other, with each just dominating the other, with each just wearing the other out. wearing the other out.

If anything, that points to a slightly If anything, that points to a slightly better hand for the rebels; an better hand for the rebels; an organized military force should (and, in organized military force should (and, in fact, eventually does) crush them. fact, eventually does) crush them.

Their unusual resilience points to Their unusual resilience points to an uneven playing field: it seems that an uneven playing field: it seems that the rebels are receiving help from a the rebels are receiving help from a source “loyal” to Duncan. source “loyal” to Duncan.

When Malcolm introduces the When Malcolm introduces the wounded Captain, we’re treated to a wounded Captain, we’re treated to a huge flurry of exposition.huge flurry of exposition.

It’s a testament to It’s a testament to Shakespeare’s language and pacing Shakespeare’s language and pacing that the audience never feels like it’s that the audience never feels like it’s watching the old-time equivalent of watching the old-time equivalent of the opening crawl from the opening crawl from Star Wars.Star Wars.

We learn that Duncan’s forces We learn that Duncan’s forces have emerged victorious in the wake have emerged victorious in the wake of much treachery. of much treachery.

““Brave Macbeth” (at this point, Brave Macbeth” (at this point, deserving of the adjective) has deserving of the adjective) has hacked his way forward, heedless of hacked his way forward, heedless of danger, until he reaches danger, until he reaches Macdonwald (whom he kills in Macdonwald (whom he kills in spectacularly bloody fashion). spectacularly bloody fashion).

As a treacherous threat to the As a treacherous threat to the greater Scottish good, Macdonwald’s greater Scottish good, Macdonwald’s head is severed and placed on a pike head is severed and placed on a pike (a giant pointed stick) after Macbeth (a giant pointed stick) after Macbeth kills him – the world’s most morbid kills him – the world’s most morbid Tootsie Pop, and a rarely noticed bit Tootsie Pop, and a rarely noticed bit of foreshadowing on Shakespeare’s of foreshadowing on Shakespeare’s part. part.

But no one mourns the wicked, But no one mourns the wicked, and no sooner have the Scots and no sooner have the Scots turned Macdonwald into a turned Macdonwald into a particulary grisly Halloween treat particulary grisly Halloween treat than the Norwegians, a rival power than the Norwegians, a rival power watching gleefully from the watching gleefully from the sidelines, join the battle. sidelines, join the battle.

It’s nice when your foes tear It’s nice when your foes tear themselves apart, but sometimes themselves apart, but sometimes you have to expedite the process you have to expedite the process yourself.yourself.

Notice that this is the exact Notice that this is the exact strategy the Romulans are strategy the Romulans are executing before Sisko and Garak executing before Sisko and Garak lure them into the war against the lure them into the war against the Dominion.Dominion.

At the sight of Norway’s army, At the sight of Norway’s army, most military leaders would beat a most military leaders would beat a hasty retreat to safer ground and hasty retreat to safer ground and shorter supply lines. shorter supply lines.

But Macbeth and Banquo don’t But Macbeth and Banquo don’t lose heart – they fight twice as lose heart – they fight twice as hard, and quite successfully. hard, and quite successfully.

Shakespeare includes this tidbit Shakespeare includes this tidbit in order to reinforce Macbeth’s and in order to reinforce Macbeth’s and Banquo’s unshakeable loyalty and Banquo’s unshakeable loyalty and devotion to country and throne, and devotion to country and throne, and immediately draws a contrast immediately draws a contrast between them and another man for between them and another man for further emphasis. further emphasis.

The Norwegians are being helped by The Norwegians are being helped by a Scottish traitor, the Thane of Cawdor.a Scottish traitor, the Thane of Cawdor.

This isn’t just any traitor: Cawdor is a This isn’t just any traitor: Cawdor is a nobleman who, by virtue of his privileged nobleman who, by virtue of his privileged position (basically serving as King position (basically serving as King Duncan’s right-hand man), is privy to Duncan’s right-hand man), is privy to information that allows him to play both information that allows him to play both sides. sides.

He’s obviously respected on the He’s obviously respected on the Scottish side, and by assisting the Scottish side, and by assisting the Norwegians – and, by extension, the Norwegians – and, by extension, the rebels – he can ensure that the battle will rebels – he can ensure that the battle will leave him at an advantage regardless of leave him at an advantage regardless of how it ends. how it ends.

If the Scots win, he can scoot back and cozy If the Scots win, he can scoot back and cozy up to the king again, claiming that he got lost up to the king again, claiming that he got lost fighting behind enemy lines; if the Norwegians fighting behind enemy lines; if the Norwegians prove the better force, he’s already proven his prove the better force, he’s already proven his worth to them. worth to them.

If there’s a flaw in his plan, it’s in Cawdor’s If there’s a flaw in his plan, it’s in Cawdor’s belief that either side will trust him – especially belief that either side will trust him – especially the Norwegians – after he’s already shown he’s the Norwegians – after he’s already shown he’s willing to sell out those who give him power.willing to sell out those who give him power.

But this isn’t as unrealistic as one thinks at But this isn’t as unrealistic as one thinks at first blush: after all, when someone cheats on first blush: after all, when someone cheats on their partner with you, you probably don’t think their partner with you, you probably don’t think about the likelihood that they’ll do the same to about the likelihood that they’ll do the same to you in turn – you assume they’ll stay with you you in turn – you assume they’ll stay with you once you “win,” because you’re awesome-sauce.once you “win,” because you’re awesome-sauce.

So cheaters date, and Cawdor plots.So cheaters date, and Cawdor plots.

But Cawdor’s plan has another flaw: But Cawdor’s plan has another flaw: he underestimates how quickly Macbeth he underestimates how quickly Macbeth and Banquo can lead the Scottish forces and Banquo can lead the Scottish forces back into battle.back into battle.

And as it so happens, a number of And as it so happens, a number of foot-soldiers find and capture the thane foot-soldiers find and capture the thane on the wrong side of the enemy line – on the wrong side of the enemy line – where he most definitely is not fighting where he most definitely is not fighting the Norwegians.the Norwegians.

This, by the way, is one major reason This, by the way, is one major reason why Macbeth’s initially confused by the why Macbeth’s initially confused by the Sisters’ greeting him as “Thane of Sisters’ greeting him as “Thane of Cawdor”.Cawdor”.

He wasn’t the one who captured him, He wasn’t the one who captured him, so as far as he knows, Cawdor is a good so as far as he knows, Cawdor is a good man of considerable influence, not a man of considerable influence, not a craven traitor. craven traitor.

Those soldiers brought him back to Those soldiers brought him back to Duncan, who swiftly arranges his offstage Duncan, who swiftly arranges his offstage execution in an…efficient judicial display. execution in an…efficient judicial display. (Trial? What trial?)(Trial? What trial?)

This means that by Scene IV’s This means that by Scene IV’s beginning, Shakespeare’s already killed beginning, Shakespeare’s already killed off Macdonwald and Cawdor, the main two off Macdonwald and Cawdor, the main two “traitors” in the play. “traitors” in the play.

Considering what Macbeth’s… Considering what Macbeth’s… considering by the end of Scene III, and considering by the end of Scene III, and considering that the play’s called considering that the play’s called The The Tragedy of Macbeth, Tragedy of Macbeth, it doesn’t take a it doesn’t take a genius/A-level student to figure out where genius/A-level student to figure out where all of the thematic arrows are pointing. all of the thematic arrows are pointing.

But before we end Scene II, we But before we end Scene II, we learn two more interesting tidbits. learn two more interesting tidbits.

Firstly, King Sweno of Norway Firstly, King Sweno of Norway wants to surrender after Macbeth wants to surrender after Macbeth defeats him, but the Scottish won’t defeats him, but the Scottish won’t let him bury his dead until he pays let him bury his dead until he pays a huge sum of money. a huge sum of money.

This was known as a “death-This was known as a “death-price” in ancient-to-medieval price” in ancient-to-medieval Europe, and it’s something that Europe, and it’s something that proves pretty important to proves pretty important to Beowulf.Beowulf.

Even in Shakespeare’s time, it Even in Shakespeare’s time, it raises interesting questions about raises interesting questions about morality, particularly during times morality, particularly during times of war.of war.

Do combatants have any sort of Do combatants have any sort of universal duties to each other – are universal duties to each other – are there unspoken rules to the there unspoken rules to the treatment of the dead, treatment of the dead, women/children/non-combatants, women/children/non-combatants, prisoners of war? – or does the prisoners of war? – or does the battle indicate that “anything battle indicate that “anything goes”? goes”?

Remember, this takes place Remember, this takes place during an era of state-on-state during an era of state-on-state warfare, not on state-vs-stateless.warfare, not on state-vs-stateless.

Secondly, we learn that Cawdor’s Secondly, we learn that Cawdor’s title (once the current holder is title (once the current holder is executed) will go to Macbeth, who’s executed) will go to Macbeth, who’s already a nobleman (the Thane of already a nobleman (the Thane of Glamis) because his father’s title was Glamis) because his father’s title was passed down to him after the elder passed down to him after the elder man’s death. man’s death.

The new title serves as a The new title serves as a promotion, and quite a happy one at promotion, and quite a happy one at that: realistically, this is as far as that: realistically, this is as far as Macbeth can advance with respect to Macbeth can advance with respect to his social standing. his social standing.

This isn’t Horatio Alger’s society; This isn’t Horatio Alger’s society; by virtue of assuming Sinel’s title, by virtue of assuming Sinel’s title, Macbeth has already risen as far as he Macbeth has already risen as far as he should. should.

Thane of Cawdor – a superior title Thane of Cawdor – a superior title to Glamis – should have remained to Glamis – should have remained forever out of his reach.forever out of his reach.

He’s not related to the He’s not related to the titleholder, and there’s no real way titleholder, and there’s no real way to jockey for nobles’ land on the rare to jockey for nobles’ land on the rare occasion that some does become occasion that some does become available. available.

Through Duncan’s generosity, Through Duncan’s generosity, then, Macbeth receives a gift he then, Macbeth receives a gift he “doesn’t deserve” – a title he earns “doesn’t deserve” – a title he earns through merit, not blood. through merit, not blood.

Yet that title represents a Yet that title represents a position that’s already proven position that’s already proven insufficient for Cawdor’s ambitions. insufficient for Cawdor’s ambitions.

As it so happens, it won’t satisfy As it so happens, it won’t satisfy Macbeth, either: he intends to use Macbeth, either: he intends to use Duncan’s aforementioned generosity Duncan’s aforementioned generosity to propel himself to even greater to propel himself to even greater ends. ends.

This seems unbelievably selfish This seems unbelievably selfish and ungrateful.and ungrateful.

Macbeth had no designs on Macbeth had no designs on greater authority before fate (in the greater authority before fate (in the form of the Sisters) tempts him. form of the Sisters) tempts him.

His refusal to yearn for His refusal to yearn for something he can’t have would have something he can’t have would have made Vasudeva proud; now he’s made Vasudeva proud; now he’s given more than he could have given more than he could have wanted, and paradoxically responds wanted, and paradoxically responds by wanting more. by wanting more.

This makes for a subtle and This makes for a subtle and interesting commentary on our old interesting commentary on our old Noble Truths, to be sure – or on Noble Truths, to be sure – or on The The Futile Pursuit of Happiness.Futile Pursuit of Happiness.

On the other hand, it’s difficult for On the other hand, it’s difficult for some – but not all – of you to understand some – but not all – of you to understand the special kind of frustration that the special kind of frustration that results when one is denied something results when one is denied something they merit due to artificial restrictions, they merit due to artificial restrictions, be they social class or admission limits. be they social class or admission limits.

Why shouldn’t Macbeth be king? Why shouldn’t Macbeth be king? He’s the one fighting for Scotland’s He’s the one fighting for Scotland’s

survival while Duncan hangs out in the survival while Duncan hangs out in the tent. tent.

And he’s not the one placing his And he’s not the one placing his country at risk thanks to his selfish need country at risk thanks to his selfish need to have others by his side.to have others by his side.

True, Macbeth has no children – and True, Macbeth has no children – and that’s no small issue, as one of the king’s that’s no small issue, as one of the king’s chief responsibilities was to produce chief responsibilities was to produce enough offspring (especially sons) to enough offspring (especially sons) to ensure a stable order of succession.ensure a stable order of succession.

But there’s more to that than meets But there’s more to that than meets the eye. the eye.

And if we’re talking about a system And if we’re talking about a system where merit is where merit is notnot usually rewarded, usually rewarded, where you can achieve and achieve and where you can achieve and achieve and achieve and never enjoy the rightful fruits achieve and never enjoy the rightful fruits of your labor…we’re talking about of your labor…we’re talking about something that generally stands outside something that generally stands outside of our usual idea of what constitutes a of our usual idea of what constitutes a “moral” system.“moral” system.

In such a system, who can blame you In such a system, who can blame you for trying to take what you feel you for trying to take what you feel you deserve? deserve?

This is an especially problematic This is an especially problematic situation for someone like Lady situation for someone like Lady Macbeth, who at a glance seems like Macbeth, who at a glance seems like nothing more than an overambitious, nothing more than an overambitious, evil, manipulative monster. evil, manipulative monster.

Yet if one steps back from the Yet if one steps back from the action and merely looks at action and merely looks at who she iswho she is before she hears word of the prophecy before she hears word of the prophecy – someone who is incredibly clever, – someone who is incredibly clever, perceptive, assertive, determined, perceptive, assertive, determined, resilient – one understands just how resilient – one understands just how frustrating her existence is. frustrating her existence is.

For she can For she can nevernever be independent: be independent: her only source of agency is her her only source of agency is her husband, who has already topped out husband, who has already topped out at a good level. at a good level.

But the cruel irony is that, But the cruel irony is that, while Macbeth may have while Macbeth may have represented a step up for her represented a step up for her socially, he isn’t her equal on a socially, he isn’t her equal on a personal level. personal level.

She is smarter. She is smarter. More driven. More driven. Better equipped to deal with Better equipped to deal with

changing circumstances. changing circumstances. She, in other words, deserves She, in other words, deserves

to have much more influence, to have much more influence, power, control – whatever you power, control – whatever you want to call it – over her own life. want to call it – over her own life.

And when she hears word of a And when she hears word of a particularly favorable prophecy, one which particularly favorable prophecy, one which seemingly offers her husband (and, by seemingly offers her husband (and, by extension, her) ultimate control…how could extension, her) ultimate control…how could she not be moved by the possibility of tasting she not be moved by the possibility of tasting freedom when she’s spent her entire adult freedom when she’s spent her entire adult life in a box that’s too small to contain her? life in a box that’s too small to contain her?

How could she resist making plans to How could she resist making plans to bring this incredibly favorable fortune to bring this incredibly favorable fortune to bear? bear?

And when Macbeth says that he’s And when Macbeth says that he’s decided that he won’t go through with the decided that he won’t go through with the deed – that he won’t obey fate, that he won’t deed – that he won’t obey fate, that he won’t give her what she craves most when she can give her what she craves most when she can almost taste control – how could you react almost taste control – how could you react with anything other than the ferocity she with anything other than the ferocity she displays? displays?

MacbethMacbeth asks a number of thorny asks a number of thorny questions. questions.

Should loyalty override ambition Should loyalty override ambition when others depend on you? when others depend on you?

Should one take an active role in Should one take an active role in trying to obey – or resist – prophecy?trying to obey – or resist – prophecy?

Can moral decisions be made when Can moral decisions be made when the world moves according to the world moves according to foreknowledge? foreknowledge?

But one of its most difficult remains But one of its most difficult remains relevant in societies worldwide: what relevant in societies worldwide: what should you do when your possibilities should you do when your possibilities have been artificially choked off by have been artificially choked off by society, not because of what you’re society, not because of what you’re capable of, but simply because of capable of, but simply because of who who you areyou are – a peasant, a nobleman…or a – a peasant, a nobleman…or a woman?woman?

As we move into Scene III, we still As we move into Scene III, we still haven’t seen Macbeth; instead, we get the haven’t seen Macbeth; instead, we get the Sisters’ reappearance. Sisters’ reappearance.

As the three discuss an odd and As the three discuss an odd and seemingly unrelated anecdote about a seemingly unrelated anecdote about a sailor whose wife offended one of them, sailor whose wife offended one of them, we learn that the witch in question left we learn that the witch in question left the sailor unable to sleep, at which point the sailor unable to sleep, at which point he dwindled away. he dwindled away.

This is the first time we see sleep This is the first time we see sleep featured in the play, and after reading featured in the play, and after reading Siddhartha Siddhartha (where the move from (where the move from sleeping to wakefulness symbolized sleeping to wakefulness symbolized spiritual rebirth and intellectual growth), spiritual rebirth and intellectual growth), you should be sensitive to its appearances you should be sensitive to its appearances here. here.

Believe it or not, it’s just as important Believe it or not, it’s just as important in in MacbethMacbeth as it was in our earlier text. as it was in our earlier text.

Consider the play’s atmosphere, as Consider the play’s atmosphere, as well as the mechanics of staging a play well as the mechanics of staging a play during the 1600s. during the 1600s.

Literal darkness on the stage makes Literal darkness on the stage makes for a foreboding atmosphere, and you’ll for a foreboding atmosphere, and you’ll quickly notice that the bad things in the quickly notice that the bad things in the play tend to happen at night – Duncan’s play tend to happen at night – Duncan’s murder, or the attempted murder of murder, or the attempted murder of Banquo and Fleance in Act III. Banquo and Fleance in Act III.

Sisko notes this same phenomenon in Sisko notes this same phenomenon in In the Pale MoonlightIn the Pale Moonlight (starting to (starting to considerthe meaning of the title?): “If considerthe meaning of the title?): “If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that bad news invariably comes years, it’s that bad news invariably comes in the middle of the night.”in the middle of the night.”

Moreover, Scotland falls under Moreover, Scotland falls under permanent nightfall once Macbeth permanent nightfall once Macbeth kills the king, as though the kills the king, as though the blackness of his deed had washed blackness of his deed had washed over his nation.over his nation.

It’s a very Greek move; in It’s a very Greek move; in Oedipus, Oedipus, everything natural starts everything natural starts drying up and dying in the wake of drying up and dying in the wake of the title character’s unnatural the title character’s unnatural actions.actions.

And in a twist that he’d doubtlessly And in a twist that he’d doubtlessly find deliciously ironic were it not find deliciously ironic were it not happening to him, the killing leaves happening to him, the killing leaves Macbeth so traumatized by Act III that Macbeth so traumatized by Act III that he’s unable to sleep or find rest. he’s unable to sleep or find rest.

Every attempt to sleep leaves him Every attempt to sleep leaves him with terrifying, disordered dreams. with terrifying, disordered dreams.

So the man who kills by night must So the man who kills by night must now walk through eternal night, his entire now walk through eternal night, his entire existence defined by the darkness he’s existence defined by the darkness he’s surrounded himself with.surrounded himself with.

The whole “I will sleep no more; The whole “I will sleep no more; Macbeth hath murdered sleep” bit is quite Macbeth hath murdered sleep” bit is quite the Dante-esque stroke of poetic justice. the Dante-esque stroke of poetic justice.

Sleep disorders and related Sleep disorders and related phenomena – Macbeth’s dagger phenomena – Macbeth’s dagger hallucination (the “walking dream”) hallucination (the “walking dream”) in Act II, Lady Macbeth’s infamous in Act II, Lady Macbeth’s infamous sleepwalking scene near play’s end sleepwalking scene near play’s end – help reinforce the “breached – help reinforce the “breached boundaries” undercurrent running boundaries” undercurrent running through the play. through the play.

Fair is foul, foul is fair, the Fair is foul, foul is fair, the future violates the present, day future violates the present, day becomes night, and sleep brings becomes night, and sleep brings no rest. no rest.

Macbeth is removed from the Macbeth is removed from the normalcy of human existence by his normalcy of human existence by his crime’s monstrosity, and he quickly crime’s monstrosity, and he quickly loses the battle to keep whatever loses the battle to keep whatever shreds of decency he retains in the shreds of decency he retains in the killing’s wake. killing’s wake.

Indeed, he’s an exile from Indeed, he’s an exile from humanity; as the play progresses, humanity; as the play progresses, he stops trusting, can’t rest, can’t he stops trusting, can’t rest, can’t really function independently.really function independently.

It’s a fitting punishment for It’s a fitting punishment for someone who would intentionally someone who would intentionally take a human life in order to boost take a human life in order to boost his own fortunes. his own fortunes.

Thus a closer study reveals that Thus a closer study reveals that the first witch’s punishment for that the first witch’s punishment for that sailor sounds eerily like what will sailor sounds eerily like what will happen to Macbeth, all the way happen to Macbeth, all the way down to “the wife” catalyzing the down to “the wife” catalyzing the whole business. whole business.

One has to remember that One has to remember that pointless digressions are rare in pointless digressions are rare in Shakespeare, even though the style Shakespeare, even though the style (characteristic of the times) seems (characteristic of the times) seems digressive.digressive.

When one has to form each line When one has to form each line of each character by hand, one takes of each character by hand, one takes care to avoid wasting words. care to avoid wasting words.

Never forget Shakespeare’s mastery Never forget Shakespeare’s mastery when it comes to foreshadowing and when it comes to foreshadowing and thematic reinforcement.thematic reinforcement.

His skill in these areas contributes His skill in these areas contributes greatly to his legacy’s endurance over the greatly to his legacy’s endurance over the years, and readers should know well by years, and readers should know well by now the value in analyzing his plays on now the value in analyzing his plays on those terms.those terms.

But foreshadowing is particularly But foreshadowing is particularly important in a play like important in a play like MacbethMacbeth because because the story concerns itself with the ways the story concerns itself with the ways that foreknowledge – whether real or that foreknowledge – whether real or simply believed – can affect our actions…simply believed – can affect our actions…and judgment.and judgment.