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Leggi anche appunti:David Herbert Lawrence (1885 - 1930)David Herbert Lawrence (1885 - 1930) Birth David Herbert Richards Lawrence William Shakespeare - MacbethWilliam Shakespeare Macbeth 1. Used toUSED TO USO · Per esprimere un'abitudine nel |
1. Introduction
Probably composed in late 1606 or early 1607, Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, the others being Hamlet, King Lear and Othello. It is a relatively short play without a major subplot, and it is considered by many scholars to be Shakespeare's darkest work. Lear is an utter tragedy in which the natural world is amorally indifferent toward mankind, but in Macbeth, Shakespeare adds a supernatural dimension that purposively conspires against Macbeth and his kingdom. In the tragedy of Lear, the distraught king summons the goddess of Chaos, Hecht; in Macbeth, Hecate appears as an actual character. On the level of human evil, Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy is about Macbeth's bloody rise to power, including the murder of the Scottish king, Duncan, and the guilt-ridden pathology of evil deeds generating still more evil deeds. As an integral part of this thematic web is the play's most memorable character, Lady Macbeth. Like her husband, Lady Macbeth's ambition for power leads her into an unnatural, phantasmagoric realm of witchcraft, insomnia and madness. But while Macbeth responds to the prophecies of the play's famous trio of witches, Lady Macbeth goes even further by figuratively transforming herself into an unnatural, desexualized evil spirit. The current trend of critical opinion is toward an upward reevaluation of Lady Macbeth, who is said to be rehumanized by her insanity and her suicide. Much of this reappraisal of Lady Macbeth has taken place in discussions of her ironically strong marriage to Macbeth, a union that rests on loving bonds but undergoes disintegration as the tragedy unfolds.
Act I, Scene 1 The witches plan to meet after the battle, which we find is a rebellion
in
Act I, Scene 2 The king and his thanes are at a camp and hear word of the battle from
the bleeding sergeant. The sergeant had saved Malcolm earlier. He says that the
battle was doubtful, with the rebel Macdonwald receiving reinforcements and
luck. However, Macbeth man aged to fight well, and killed the slave Macdonwald.
A second attack by the Norweyan lord angered Macbeth and he met their attacks
so the Norwegians got their butts kicked. The sergeant goes to get some medical
attention, and then Ross tells the rest of the story.
Act I, Scene 3 The witches meet again, as planned. One has been killing pigs. Another
witch is getting revenge on the captain of the Tiger, who's wife has not given
her a chestnut. Winds summoned by her will blow in every direction, making the
sailor throw up and
Act I, Scene 4 The king asks if Cawdor is executed yet and if the people who did it
are back yet. Malcolm says the aren't back but someone who saw it said Cawdor
confessed and apologized, at peace with himself so that death was not a
problem, and the way he left was be tter than the way he lived.
Act I, Scene 5 Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from Macbeth, which tells about the
witches prophecy. Lady Macbeth says that her husband is too nice to get the
greatness he is promised. She decides to help him gain the crown. A messenger
tells her the King is coming. Lady Macbeth decides that
Act I, Scene 6
Act I, Scene 7 Macbeth contemplates the crime and says he should do it soon if he does
it. If this was all there was to it, and all he had to worry about was the
afterlife, he would do it. But he is also judged here, and murdering may lead
to his own death. He is supposed to be loyal to
Act II, Scene 1 Banquo and Fleance are walking around and wondering at the time. Baquo
is worried about the dark thoughts in his head. Macbeth comes up and Banquo
asks why he isn't sleeping when
Act II, Scene 2 Lady Macbeth says that the alcohol that made the attendants drunk has
given her courage. Omens of death wish the king good night, and Macbeth is
going to kill him as the drunk attendants are unconscious. When Macbeth shows
up she is afraid they woke up and it didn't work. She would have done it if
Act II, Scene 3 The porter hears knocking and says that a porter at hell would have a
busy job. He pretends to be the porter of hell, and imagines the sort of people
who would come, such as a farmer who didn't get the high prices wanted, a
traitor, and a tailor who tried to overprice his garments. Finally he lets
Macduff and
Act II, Scene 4 The old man says this is the worst night he has ever seen. Ross speaks
metaphorically of the battle between light and dark. The old man compares it to
an owl killing a great falcon. Ross then talks of the mysterious event with the
horses of
Act III, Scene 1 Banquo comments on how Macbeth has everything he was promised, but he
thinks Macbeth gained it through evil. But Banquo hopes now that his prophecies
will come true and his kids will be kings. Macbeth invites Banquo, his chief
guest, to a feast. Banquo and Fleance are riding that afternoon, but can be
back by supper. Macbeth says that Malcolm and Donalbain, their cousins whom
guilt rests upon, are in
Act III, Scene 2 Lady Macbeth sends a servant for Macbeth, then says something that reminds of Macbeth's earlier soliloquy. It is no good to be insecure in what you have, and you might as well be destroyed. She asks Macbeth why he is keeping to himself and acting worried when he can't change what he has done. Macbeth says there is still a threat, and he wishes he were one of the dead who are in peace, than have such constant worries. Lady Macbeth tells him to act happy. Macbeth says his wife needs to remember that, too, and that they need to flatter Banquo to cover up for their dark plans. Lady Macbeth says not to kill Banquo and that they won't live forever. Macbeth says they can be happy after Banquo and Fleance are dead, which will happen that night. Macbeth doesn't want to tell his wife of his plans so that she can be innocent. He says this evil deed will help what was badly begun.
Act III, Scene
Act III, Scene 4 At the banquet, they seat themselves according to rank. Lady Macbeth
goes to play hostess, while Macbeth meets with the Murderer. He learns Fleance
escaped and says he is now surrounded by fears instead of being calm and safe.
Macbeth is grateful that at least the snake is gone, thought the worm Fleance
will likely return. He tells the murderer they will meet again. Lady Macbeth
tells him to be a good host, otherwise the guests might as well be eating at
home or paying for the meal. Macbeth then sees a ghost of Banquo sit in his
chair, but Ross and
Act III, Scene 5 Hecate is angry because the witches have been dealing with Macbeth without consulting her. She says he will be told his destiny at the cave the next day. The various spells she contrives will lure him into a false sense of security. The witches prepare for her return.
Act III, Scene 6
Act IV, Scene 1 The witches meet again and cook up a spell in their cauldron with all sorts
of interesting ingredients. Macbeth approaches them to answer his question,
regardless of any havoc it might wreak. Macbeth opts to hear it from the
witches' masters and is greeted by an apparition that can read his mind and
answer his question. The armed head represents Macbeth, telling him to beware
of Macduff. The bloody child represents Macduff, who we later find out was not
of woman born. Macbeth wonder why, then, he should fear Macduff but just to be
safe he will kill him anyway. The crowned child is Malcolm, with the tree
representing Burnham Wood, and says not to fear until Great Burnham wood moves
against him. Macbeth feels safe since a wood can never move and he knows no
people not of woman born. He thinks the prophecy is a good and insures him a
safe life. Then a line of kings is seen, thought to represent the descendents
of Banquo that eventually lead to King James. The last king holds a mirror to
make the line seem endless. So Macbeth gets his question answered about
Macbeth's descendents and the witches try to cheer him up by dancing. Then they
disappear. Lennox tells Macbeth than Lennox has gone to
Act IV, Scene 2 Lady Macduff is wondering why her husband left. She thinks he was mad, looking like a traitor, loveless and cowardly to leave his family and possessions. Ross tries to comfort her, telling her he knows what is wrong at the moment. People don't know they are traitors, when they know fear. Ross leaves and says he will be back. Lady Macduff has an interesting conversation with her son Sirrah about what they will do without a father. The messenger tells her to leave, that she is in danger. But Lady Macduff doesn't know where to go, and she has done no wrong. As she realizes that doing good is sometimes a bad thing, the murderers arrive. The murderers kill the Son, but Lady Macduff escapes.
Act IV, Scene 3 Malcolm says they should find some place to cry, while Macduff says
they should defend their native country the way they would a fallen comrade.
Act V, Scene 1 The gentlewoman who cares for Lady Macbeth has summoned a doctor, but in two nights the reported symptoms of waking up and writing something have not occurred. The doctor says it is a disturbance of nature for her to do such things while appearing to sleep. The gentlewoman will not repeat anything Lady Macbeth has said for she is unsure, but then Lady Macbeth appears, carrying a light. Lady Macbeth acts as if washing her hands, seeing a spot of blood. She questions why her husband should be scared, but complains still of the blood that was shed. She is wracked with guilt that troubles her as the two observe. The doctor says she needs the help of god, not a doctor for her troubles
Act V, Scene 2 The English forces with the Scottish thanes are near, Menteith reports.
The revenge they seek is a strong enough cause to raise the dead and wounded.
Angus says they will met at Burnham wood, and
Act V, Scene 3 Macbeth is wondering how the prophecy will come true, and tries to remain confident. Macbeth upraids his servant for seeming afraid, but is told of the English forces. Mcabeth tells Seyton this revolt will either remove or leave him happy, as right now he has none of things due a man of old age. Macbeth asks for his armor, planning to defend himself to the end. Macbeth asks the doctor to cure his wife. The doctor wishes he weren't there.
Act V, Scene 4 Malcolm hopes to regain the safety they once had. Menteith is sure it will happen. Malcolm tells each soldier to cut down a large tree branch and put it in front of him, thereby camouflaging himself. The scouts will think there are less of them. Macbeth waits in his castle, his only hope of defense. Though they have hopes of what they want to accomplish, now is the time for actual blows and battle to win.
Act V, Scene 5 Macbeth says let them come to the castle, he can hold them off. If they didn't have his soldiers, then he could have met them on the field and beat them back. Macbeth has forgotten what it is like to be afraid, having as much fear as a man can bear. Macbeth wishes his wife had died later, at a better time. He comments on how life passes at this little speed, with people dying after a futile life. Macbeth says the messenger comes to speak, he should give his report quickly. The messenger, unsure of how to report what he saw, says Birnham wood appeared to move (remember that the soldiers are carrying boughs to hide themselves as they move), thus the prophecy is fulfilled. Macbeth starts wishing this were just all over and prepares for death fighting.
Act V, Scene 6 Macolm and Macduff split off from Siward, and they throw down their boughs, preparing to fight.
Act V, Scene 7 Macbeth knows he is stuck fighting, and he wonders who was not born of woman. Macbeth tells Young Siward who he is, and Macbeth says he should be not just hateful but fearful to Young Siward's ears. Macbeth says he doesn't fear any not of woman born and kills Young Siward. Macduff says he must kill Macbeth to avenge his family, and only Macbeth. By the noise of Macbeth's armor, he locates him. Siward explains the battle is easy. Malcolm enters the castle.
Act V, Scene 8 Macbeth asks why he should kill himself when the wounds he might inflict upon himself would look better upon his living enemies. Macbeth says he has avoided Macduff and does not want to kill him after killing his family. Macduff says he will speak with his sword instead of words. Macbeth says the Macduff will not hurt him. Macduff then reveals that he was ripped from his mother's womb while she died. Macbeth is angry to discover that the prophecy will come true and only provided him false hope. Macduff tells him to give up and explains he will be put on a pole and displayed as a tyrant. Macbeth says he will try despite the prophecy rather than yield to Malcolm.
Act V, Scene 9 Malcolm wishes no one had to die, but Siward says it is necessary and the cost wasn't that high for such a good day. Ross tells Siward that Young Siward, who just became a man in fighting, died. He tells him not to have sorrow, though. Siward says he died well then. Macduff hails Malcolm as king holding Macbeth's head.
Banquo - The brave, noble general whose children, according to the witches' prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne. Like Macbeth, Banquo thinks ambitious thoughts, but he does not translate those thoughts into action. In a sense, Banquo's character stands as a rebuke to Macbeth, since he represents the path Macbeth chose not to take: a path in which ambition need not lead to betrayal and murder. Appropriately, then, it is Banquo's ghost-and not Duncan's-that haunts Macbeth. In addition to embodying Macbeth's guilt for killing Banquo, the ghost also reminds Macbeth that he did not emulate Banquo's reaction to the witches' prophecy.
King Duncan - The good king of
Macduff - A Scottish nobleman hostile to Macbeth's kingship from the start. He eventually becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. The crusade's mission is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne, but Macduff also desires vengeance for Macbeth's murder of Macduff's wife and young son.
Malcolm - The son of
Hecate - The goddess of witchcraft, who helps the three witches work their mischief on Macbeth.
Fleance - Banquo's son, who survives Macbeth's attempt
to murder him. At the end of the play, Fleance's whereabouts are unknown.
Presumably, he may come to rule
Ross - A Scottish nobleman.
The Murderers - A group of ruffians conscripted by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (whom they fail to kill), and Macduff's wife and children.
Porter - The drunken doorman of Macbeth's castle.
Lady Macduff - Macduff's wife. The scene in her castle
provides our only glimpse of a domestic realm other than that of Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth. She and her home serve as contrasts to Lady Macbeth and the
hellish world of
Donalbain -
4. Themes
The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition
The main theme of Macbeth-the
destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints-finds its
most powerful expression in the play's two main characters. Macbeth is a
courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds,
yet he deeply desires power and advancement. He kills
The Relationship between Cruelty and Masculinity
Characters in Macbeth frequently dwell on issues of gender. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband by questioning his manhood, wishes that she herself could be "unsexed," and does not contradict Macbeth when he says that a woman like her should give birth only to boys. In the same manner that Lady Macbeth goads her husband on to murder, Macbeth provokes the murderers he hires to kill Banquo by questioning their manhood. Such acts show that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth equate masculinity with naked aggression, and whenever they converse about manhood, violence soon follows. Their understanding of manhood allows the political order depicted in the play to descend into chaos.
At the same time, however, the audience cannot help noticing that women are also sources of violence and evil. The witches' prophecies spark Macbeth's ambitions and then encourage his violent behavior; Lady Macbeth provides the brains and the will behind her husband's plotting; and the only divine being to appear is Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. Arguably, Macbeth traces the root of chaos and evil to women, which has led some critics to argue that this is Shakespeare's most misogynistic play. While the male characters are just as violent and prone to evil as the women, the aggression of the female characters is more striking because it goes against prevailing expectations of how women ought to behave. Lady Macbeth's behavior certainly shows that women can be as ambitious and cruel as men. Whether because of the constraints of her society or because she is not fearless enough to kill, Lady Macbeth relies on deception and manipulation rather than violence to achieve her ends.
Ultimately,
the play does put forth a revised and less destructive definition of manhood.
In the scene where Macduff learns of the murders of his wife and child, Malcolm
consoles him by encouraging him to take the news in "manly" fashion, by seeking
revenge upon Macbeth. Macduff shows the young heir apparent that he has a
mistaken understanding of masculinity. To Malcolm's suggestion, "Dispute it
like a man," Macduff replies, "I shall do so. But I must also feel it as a man"
(IV.iii.221- ). At the end of the play, Siward
receives news of his son's death rather complacently. Malcolm responds: "He's
worth more sorrow [than you have expressed] / And that I'll spend for him"
(V.xi. - ). Malcolm's comment shows that he has learned the lesson
Macduff gave him on the sentient nature of true masculinity. It also suggests
that, with Malcolm's coronation, order will be restored to the
The Difference between Kingship and Tyranny
In the play,
5. Motifs
Hallucinations
Visions and hallucinations
recur throughout the play and serve as reminders of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's
joint culpability for the growing body count. When he is about to kill
Violence
Macbeth is a famously violent play. Interestingly, most of
the killings take place offstage, but throughout the play the characters
provide the audience with gory descriptions of the carnage, from the opening
scene where the captain describes Macbeth and Banquo wading in blood on the
battlefield, to the endless references to the bloodstained hands of Macbeth and
his wife. The action is bookended by a pair of bloody battles: in the first,
Macbeth defeats the invaders; in the second, he is slain and beheaded by
Macduff. In between is a series of murders: Duncan,
Prophecy
Prophecy sets Macbeth's plot in motion-namely, the witches' prophecy that Macbeth will become first thane of Cawdor and then king. The weird sisters make a number of other prophecies: they tell us that Banquo's heirs will be kings, that Macbeth should beware Macduff, that Macbeth is safe till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and that no man born of woman can harm Macbeth. Save for the prophecy about Banquo's heirs, all of these predictions are fulfilled within the course of the play. Still, it is left deliberately ambiguous whether some of them are self-fulfilling-for example, whether Macbeth wills himself to be king or is fated to be king. Additionally, as the Birnam Wood and "born of woman" prophecies make clear, the prophecies must be interpreted as riddles, since they do not always mean what they seem to mean.
6. Symbols
Blood
Blood is everywhere in Macbeth,
beginning with the opening battle between the Scots and the Norwegian invaders,
which is described in harrowing terms by the wounded captain in Act I, scene
ii. Once Macbeth and Lady Macbeth embark upon their murderous journey, blood
comes to symbolize their guilt, and they begin to feel that their crimes have
stained them in a way that cannot be washed clean. "Will all great
The Weather
As in other Shakespearean
tragedies, Macbeth's grotesque murder spree is accompanied by a number of
unnatural occurrences in the natural realm. From the thunder and lightning that
accompany the witches' appearances to the terrible storms that rage on the
night of
Appunti su: Probably composed in late 1606 or early 16072C Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare27s four great trag, |
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