Skip to main content

Can you summarize the theme of evil in Macbeth?

The issue of evil is the most prominent and discussed theme in Macbeth. The very first scene features three witches, representatives of supernatural corruption. They use hideous ingredients in their potions (including “finger of birth-strangled babe”); they conjure images of unpleasantness on earth.


One question is whether the witches influence and create evil or if they simply predict it. These spirits “That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, / And yet are...

The issue of evil is the most prominent and discussed theme in Macbeth. The very first scene features three witches, representatives of supernatural corruption. They use hideous ingredients in their potions (including “finger of birth-strangled babe”); they conjure images of unpleasantness on earth.


One question is whether the witches influence and create evil or if they simply predict it. These spirits “That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, / And yet are on't” tell Macbeth that he shall be Thane of Cawdor and then king, a message that sets Macbeth on a bloody path. However, Banquo also learns that his “children shall be kings,” yet, unlike Macbeth, he either does not have time to plot their ascent or makes a moral decision to not do it. This indicates that Macbeth has some choice in the matter, in spite of his feeling as though he is driven by fate. We see Macbeth turn from brave hero into manipulative villain, suggesting that evil is subtle and ubiquitous.


Lady Macbeth is another example of evil. She is willfully hardhearted, criticizing Macbeth for being “too full o' the milk of human kindness” and convincing him to ignore his conscience. However, both she and Macbeth do not survive their wickedness. She kills herself and Macbeth is killed, an indication that evil destroys itself.


Wrongdoing is pervasive in Macbeth, found in the witches as well as the Macbeths. Even the previous Thane of Cawdor betrayed King Duncan by siding with Norway against Scotland. The play is an eerie lesson about temptation and how far anyone can fall into depravity.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some tensions between men and women in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has... Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally super...
Post a Comment
Read more