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9 November 20119 November 2011

Although it’s been made famous by them, there’s Although it’s been made famous by them, there’s far more to far more to MacbethMacbeth than the curses. than the curses.

The play is steeped in historical details, although The play is steeped in historical details, although those details were often perverted and skewed those details were often perverted and skewed for a variety of reasons. for a variety of reasons.

Its language is recognizable to anyone who’s Its language is recognizable to anyone who’s previously studied Shakespearean works, yet it previously studied Shakespearean works, yet it clearly distinguishes itself from his other works clearly distinguishes itself from his other works in both tone and form. in both tone and form.

Its characters follow archetypal patterns, then Its characters follow archetypal patterns, then shatter them: there’s far more to the heroes and shatter them: there’s far more to the heroes and villains of this play than originally meets the eye. villains of this play than originally meets the eye.

Its themes resonate in similar fashion. Its themes resonate in similar fashion. This makes for a play that’s very easily This makes for a play that’s very easily

summarized yet very difficult to explain.summarized yet very difficult to explain.

Easy to Summarize…Easy to Summarize…

Lucky UsLucky Us MacbethMacbeth belongs to that wonderful group belongs to that wonderful group

of stories that, like of stories that, like BeowulfBeowulf (whose lone (whose lone copy caught fire before we had finished copy caught fire before we had finished translating it) or translating it) or The AeneidThe Aeneid (whose (whose author, Virgil, was so dissatisfied with the author, Virgil, was so dissatisfied with the final work that he pitched his manuscript final work that he pitched his manuscript into a fire himself), we’re lucky to still into a fire himself), we’re lucky to still have around. have around.

Unlike the others, it wasn’t fire-damaged Unlike the others, it wasn’t fire-damaged (although, as you have seen, some of the (although, as you have seen, some of the Macbeth actors have been). Macbeth actors have been).

Instead, its preservation marks a stroke of Instead, its preservation marks a stroke of luck – for this play, as well as many of luck – for this play, as well as many of Shakespeare’s other works, wasn’t really Shakespeare’s other works, wasn’t really meant to be published. meant to be published.

Unlike contemporary scholars, Elizabethans Unlike contemporary scholars, Elizabethans didn’t typically read plays as literature. didn’t typically read plays as literature.

In fact, plays weren’t considered particularly In fact, plays weren’t considered particularly good reading material. good reading material.

Instead, scripts were written as quickly as Instead, scripts were written as quickly as possible – sometimes by multiple writers working possible – sometimes by multiple writers working in concert – and tossed aside once the original in concert – and tossed aside once the original production run concluded. production run concluded.

There wasn’t a great deal of profit to be made by There wasn’t a great deal of profit to be made by printing (a process that took much longer back printing (a process that took much longer back them) more copies of the script than the actors them) more copies of the script than the actors needed in advance. needed in advance.

Theatres occasionally provided audiences with Theatres occasionally provided audiences with quickly-written reproductions of the quickly-written reproductions of the performance, but you can imagine the variations performance, but you can imagine the variations that would result over the course of the that would result over the course of the transcription! transcription!

Some…Haphazard PublishingSome…Haphazard Publishing

When Shakespeare’s plays were When Shakespeare’s plays were published, they appeared in a variety of published, they appeared in a variety of forms. Fourteen of the plays we now forms. Fourteen of the plays we now credit to Shakespeare were printed in credit to Shakespeare were printed in Quarto (17x21 cm) volumes, although not Quarto (17x21 cm) volumes, although not all of them had his name on them. The all of them had his name on them. The ones that did were probably copied ones that did were probably copied provided by the theater, while the ones provided by the theater, while the ones that didn’t were probably “pirated” copies that didn’t were probably “pirated” copies (yes, intellectual piracy existed back then) (yes, intellectual piracy existed back then) or actors’ copies that the players sold or actors’ copies that the players sold once the production had finished. once the production had finished.

QuartosQuartos

While the number of plays Shakespeare wrote While the number of plays Shakespeare wrote will probably always be the subject of debate, a will probably always be the subject of debate, a rough estimate places his total output at thirty-rough estimate places his total output at thirty-six to thirty-eight plays. six to thirty-eight plays.

We have John Heminge and Henry Condell to We have John Heminge and Henry Condell to thank for preserving as much of Shakespeare’s thank for preserving as much of Shakespeare’s legacy as possible.legacy as possible.

Shakespeare passed away in 1616. Shakespeare passed away in 1616. Seven years later, Heminge and Condell compiled Seven years later, Heminge and Condell compiled

a collection of thirty-six Shakespeare plays – a collection of thirty-six Shakespeare plays – theoretically working from his original theoretically working from his original manuscripts – in a Folio edition. manuscripts – in a Folio edition. Unlike a Quarto, the Folio edition was 21x34cm, which Unlike a Quarto, the Folio edition was 21x34cm, which

looks much more similar to the books we read today looks much more similar to the books we read today (albeit a bit bigger – closer to a coffee-table book than (albeit a bit bigger – closer to a coffee-table book than anything else).anything else).

Heminge and CondellHeminge and Condell

The only problem? The Folio volumes The only problem? The Folio volumes didn’t always match one another. didn’t always match one another.

Some versions contained different stage Some versions contained different stage directions; others contained different directions; others contained different scene divisions. scene divisions.

(For that matter, the Folger edition (For that matter, the Folger edition contains a scene between the witches and contains a scene between the witches and Hecate that I can’t ever remember reading Hecate that I can’t ever remember reading in high school, and – according to many in high school, and – according to many critics – probably wasn’t even written by critics – probably wasn’t even written by Shakespeare.)Shakespeare.)

FoliosFolios

In short, what you’re reading isn’t a In short, what you’re reading isn’t a precise copy of Shakespeare’s precise copy of Shakespeare’s MacbethMacbeth

It’s been supplemented and altered by It’s been supplemented and altered by editorial guesswork, printing mishaps, editorial guesswork, printing mishaps, and research. and research.

But we’re lucky to have what we have: But we’re lucky to have what we have: Shakespeare’s original intent and Shakespeare’s original intent and thematic focus has remained consistent thematic focus has remained consistent throughout the various editions of throughout the various editions of Macbeth,Macbeth, and even if it’s not the original and even if it’s not the original work, you’re still holding a masterpiece in work, you’re still holding a masterpiece in your hands. your hands.

To Summarize…To Summarize…

MacbethMacbeth is often cited as a prime example of is often cited as a prime example of “tragedy” (the word’s in the title!), although it “tragedy” (the word’s in the title!), although it doesn’t always adhere to classic tragic structures. doesn’t always adhere to classic tragic structures.

Like all good tragedies, its central character is strong, Like all good tragedies, its central character is strong, compelling, and fatally flawed. compelling, and fatally flawed.

The story revolves around serious topics “of a certain The story revolves around serious topics “of a certain magnitude” (justice, choice, revenge, guilt), with magnitude” (justice, choice, revenge, guilt), with countries at war and families exterminated. countries at war and families exterminated.

The action itself is complete, with a clearly defined The action itself is complete, with a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end (although some beginning, middle, and end (although some interesting unfinished business pops up in the last interesting unfinished business pops up in the last sequence); unlike classical Greek tragedies, the sequence); unlike classical Greek tragedies, the action’s spread out over the course of many days. action’s spread out over the course of many days.

These events follow the “cause-and-effect” These events follow the “cause-and-effect” mechanism – in fact, it’s important to note that none mechanism – in fact, it’s important to note that none of the action in of the action in MacbethMacbeth is random – and inspire many is random – and inspire many reactions: surprise, fear, revulsion, anger, even pity. reactions: surprise, fear, revulsion, anger, even pity.

Tragedy ITragedy I

That said, all of the events seemingly spiral from That said, all of the events seemingly spiral from a single choice. a single choice.

The play clearly shows “what kind of things a The play clearly shows “what kind of things a man chooses or avoids” – both, in fact. man chooses or avoids” – both, in fact.

The events can be complicated: fortunes are The events can be complicated: fortunes are reversed, then re-reversed (versed?); plans are reversed, then re-reversed (versed?); plans are outlined, set in motion, and eventually outlined, set in motion, and eventually complicated and unraveled.complicated and unraveled.

Characters make choices based on what they Characters make choices based on what they understand to be their motives, but they don’t understand to be their motives, but they don’t always correctly identify those motives.always correctly identify those motives.

There are terrible moments of recognition and There are terrible moments of recognition and clarity in which the characters, like divers coming clarity in which the characters, like divers coming up for air, rise above the sound and fury filling up for air, rise above the sound and fury filling their lives and see things for what they truly are. their lives and see things for what they truly are.

Tragedy IITragedy II

As for the man at the center of it all, As for the man at the center of it all, Macbeth makes for a most difficult study. Macbeth makes for a most difficult study.

We can see a clear difference between the We can see a clear difference between the man we meet at play’s outset and the man man we meet at play’s outset and the man he ultimately becomes, but the reasons he ultimately becomes, but the reasons for that change are complicated. for that change are complicated.

It’s not accurate to say he’s wholly good It’s not accurate to say he’s wholly good at the beginning of the play, but it’s hard at the beginning of the play, but it’s hard to justify an interpretation that paints him to justify an interpretation that paints him as wholly evil. as wholly evil.

Macbeth: More Than He SeemsMacbeth: More Than He Seems

You’ve read Gladwell’s piece on the complicated You’ve read Gladwell’s piece on the complicated nature of human “goodness,” particularly as it nature of human “goodness,” particularly as it relates to our sensitivity to environmental and relates to our sensitivity to environmental and situational factors; as a character, Macbeth reads situational factors; as a character, Macbeth reads like the sum total of every point Gladwell raises, like the sum total of every point Gladwell raises, and his motivations consequently defy easy and his motivations consequently defy easy analysis. analysis.

Similarly, we see in him the same relationship Similarly, we see in him the same relationship between suffering and desire that Hesse between suffering and desire that Hesse explored in explored in Siddhartha.Siddhartha.

At the same time, Macbeth isn’t a simple At the same time, Macbeth isn’t a simple rehashing of old SFHP ideas, nor are any of the rehashing of old SFHP ideas, nor are any of the other characters (with their own motives, flaws, other characters (with their own motives, flaws, and choices)and choices)

In fascinating, sometimes terrible ways, they In fascinating, sometimes terrible ways, they represent something entirely new. represent something entirely new.

Embodiment of the F.A.E.Embodiment of the F.A.E.

Yesterday, I asked you two questions. Yesterday, I asked you two questions. First, I asked you whether it was better to First, I asked you whether it was better to

trust others (believing in the basic trust others (believing in the basic goodness of your fellow man) or to remain goodness of your fellow man) or to remain distrustful.distrustful. ““Skeptical” is perhaps a better word, but Skeptical” is perhaps a better word, but

“distrust” pertains more readily to “distrust” pertains more readily to Macbeth.Macbeth.

Secondly, I asked you whether we should Secondly, I asked you whether we should place limits on what we’re willing to do in place limits on what we’re willing to do in order to preserve and protect what we order to preserve and protect what we cherish – a family system, a way of life, cherish – a family system, a way of life, etc. etc.

Two Little QuestionsTwo Little Questions

On the face of it, that second question On the face of it, that second question seems to pertain more closely to seems to pertain more closely to In the In the Pale MoonlightPale Moonlight than to than to Macbeth.Macbeth.

Ben Sisko doesn’t end up setting up Ben Sisko doesn’t end up setting up Vreenak for assassination (a word Vreenak for assassination (a word Shakespeare invented for this play, Shakespeare invented for this play, according to your text) to satisfy his according to your text) to satisfy his personal ambitions, nor to attempt acting personal ambitions, nor to attempt acting in accordance with prophecy or divine willin accordance with prophecy or divine will At first blush, those seem to be perfectly At first blush, those seem to be perfectly

acceptable explanations for what Macbeth acceptable explanations for what Macbeth does. does.

Sisko’s intentions are noble, and in your Sisko’s intentions are noble, and in your last Baseline, most of you indicated that last Baseline, most of you indicated that intentions mattered a great deal. intentions mattered a great deal.

In the Pale MoonlightIn the Pale Moonlight

So what if he handed massive quantities So what if he handed massive quantities of the 24th-century equivalent of anthrax of the 24th-century equivalent of anthrax and mustard gas to some anonymous and mustard gas to some anonymous individual with bad intentions – one who individual with bad intentions – one who remains outside the purview of the remains outside the purview of the authorities Sisko answers to? authorities Sisko answers to?

Sisko’s acting in the service of the greater Sisko’s acting in the service of the greater good; he’s thinking of other people (just good; he’s thinking of other people (just not the people that person will probably not the people that person will probably kill or harm).kill or harm).

And even Garak, who intentionally And even Garak, who intentionally murders an innocent man – for this is a murders an innocent man – for this is a case of liars slaughtering those who would case of liars slaughtering those who would unmask them – gets let off the hook. unmask them – gets let off the hook.

I I CanCan Live With It… Live With It…

Because of them, the “good guys” will live to Because of them, the “good guys” will live to fight another day. fight another day. (One wonders what will be left of the Federation they’re (One wonders what will be left of the Federation they’re

defending; if you become what you despise in order to defending; if you become what you despise in order to survive, can you really claim to have survived – to have survive, can you really claim to have survived – to have won?) won?)

No, Sisko wins one for the good guys, sacrificing No, Sisko wins one for the good guys, sacrificing his conscience and values in order to keep some his conscience and values in order to keep some names off the future casualty reports. names off the future casualty reports.

He does terrible things, but we see those things He does terrible things, but we see those things as sacrifices – not villainy – because we can tell as sacrifices – not villainy – because we can tell he’s not proud of what he’s done; that he takes he’s not proud of what he’s done; that he takes no personal pleasure in his success; and that he’s no personal pleasure in his success; and that he’s a good man who has good reasons to do what we a good man who has good reasons to do what we watched him do.watched him do. (This, not coincidentally, is why so many student stories (This, not coincidentally, is why so many student stories

are terrible – rarely do people have good reasons for are terrible – rarely do people have good reasons for doing bad things in them.)doing bad things in them.)

Sacrifice vs. VillainySacrifice vs. Villainy

Why Would Anybody Want…?Why Would Anybody Want…? What Macbeth aims to do – kill a king who What Macbeth aims to do – kill a king who

trusts him, then take his place – seems far trusts him, then take his place – seems far more vile because, even though far fewer more vile because, even though far fewer people will die as a result of his actions, people will die as a result of his actions, his intentions are so much worse than his intentions are so much worse than Sisko’s or Garak’s. Sisko’s or Garak’s. They’re selfish and self-serving.They’re selfish and self-serving.

But if we stop to think about them, his But if we stop to think about them, his intentions seem as confusing as they intentions seem as confusing as they initially seemed simple. initially seemed simple.

Why does he Why does he want want to be king?to be king? Because Macbeth Because Macbeth doesdoes want to be king… want to be king…

right?right?

……to Be King?to Be King? For someone who wants to rule For someone who wants to rule

badly enough to kill his friend in the badly enough to kill his friend in the process, Macbeth seems to need a process, Macbeth seems to need a lot of convincing. lot of convincing.

He decides to abandon the He decides to abandon the “venture” three times before we “venture” three times before we even hit the midpoint of Act II! even hit the midpoint of Act II!

That indecisiveness indicates a That indecisiveness indicates a number of things, but we have to number of things, but we have to look pretty hard to figure out what it look pretty hard to figure out what it indicates. indicates.

In order to do so, readers need to be In order to do so, readers need to be aware of several things. aware of several things.

Historical Mixups IHistorical Mixups I Firstly, as I mentioned before, Firstly, as I mentioned before,

MacbethMacbeth is based somewhat loosely is based somewhat loosely on historical events. on historical events.

Macbeth really existed, albeit five Macbeth really existed, albeit five centuries before Shakespeare’s play centuries before Shakespeare’s play was finished. was finished.

So did Lady Macbeth, his…So did Lady Macbeth, his…memorable…wife; Duncan, his king; memorable…wife; Duncan, his king; and Banquo, his closest friend. and Banquo, his closest friend.

But everything’s mixed up from a But everything’s mixed up from a historical standpoint. historical standpoint.

Historical Mixups IIHistorical Mixups II In real life, Duncan was a deeply ineffective, In real life, Duncan was a deeply ineffective,

almost tyrannical ruler; in the play, Duncan is (at almost tyrannical ruler; in the play, Duncan is (at first blush) the picture of kind, wise benevolence, first blush) the picture of kind, wise benevolence, the sort of figure only someone truly hateful the sort of figure only someone truly hateful could betray. could betray.

In the play, Lady Macbeth dominates the early In the play, Lady Macbeth dominates the early proceedings, seemingly controlling everything proceedings, seemingly controlling everything through a deadly combination of manipulative through a deadly combination of manipulative skill and force of will; in real life, Lady Macbeth skill and force of will; in real life, Lady Macbeth played no such role, and her part in the play played no such role, and her part in the play comes from a fusion of two other historical comes from a fusion of two other historical figures. figures.

And in real life, many men conspired to murder And in real life, many men conspired to murder Duncan and seize the Scottish throne, including Duncan and seize the Scottish throne, including Banquo; Macbeth was merely the person they Banquo; Macbeth was merely the person they placed on the throne. placed on the throne.

Yet in the play, Banquo is virtuous, noble, and Yet in the play, Banquo is virtuous, noble, and loyal to a fault. loyal to a fault.

The Scottish PlayThe Scottish Play Why so many changes? Why so many changes? Why base a play on historical events Why base a play on historical events

if you refuse to play by their rules? if you refuse to play by their rules? First, consider the audience for First, consider the audience for

Shakespeare’s play. Shakespeare’s play. MacbethMacbeth is often called the “Scottish is often called the “Scottish

play.” play.” You may not have noticed, but You may not have noticed, but

Shakespeare isn’t Scottish. Shakespeare isn’t Scottish. His new king, however, was. His new king, however, was.

Keep Him AwakeKeep Him Awake King James VI of Scotland became the first King James VI of Scotland became the first

Scottish king of England (James I) in 1603, Scottish king of England (James I) in 1603, and in order to please his new patron, and in order to please his new patron, Shakespeare tried writing a play that Shakespeare tried writing a play that would directly appeal to him. would directly appeal to him.

This was more difficult than it sounds; This was more difficult than it sounds; James tended to fall asleep during plays, James tended to fall asleep during plays, so Shakespeare had an uphill battle ahead so Shakespeare had an uphill battle ahead of him. of him.

By tying it to Scottish history – By tying it to Scottish history – specifically, to one of the more compelling specifically, to one of the more compelling incidents in Raphael Holinshed’s incidents in Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles,Chronicles, which Shakespeare borrowed which Shakespeare borrowed heavily from – the playwright hoped to heavily from – the playwright hoped to capture the new king’s interest. capture the new king’s interest.

Compromise to Please the ThroneCompromise to Please the Throne

More importantly, however, James More importantly, however, James believed he was the direct descendent believed he was the direct descendent of one of the play’s major figures. of one of the play’s major figures.

Specifically, he believed his line Specifically, he believed his line originated with Banquo. originated with Banquo.

It wouldn’t do to give the king a It wouldn’t do to give the king a performance that showed his ancestor performance that showed his ancestor in less than a positive light, even in the in less than a positive light, even in the name of historical accuracy. name of historical accuracy.

Last Slide for Today!Last Slide for Today! So the roles are switched around: So the roles are switched around:

Duncan becomes the Good King of Duncan becomes the Good King of Scotland; Banquo becomes the Scotland; Banquo becomes the Heroic Defender of Virtue, Resisting Heroic Defender of Virtue, Resisting All Temptation; and the Macbeths All Temptation; and the Macbeths become the villains, even though become the villains, even though they’re far more complex than the they’re far more complex than the simple term implies. simple term implies. (Shakespeare may have been counting (Shakespeare may have been counting

on James’s inability to notice such on James’s inability to notice such subtleties…) subtleties…)