FINAL REMARKS

PLOT

1. This is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy and is often used in high schools in the USA because of its length. The play was probably written for a court performance or was edited down from a longer play for the court performance. The last act is often criticized for being too slack – some critics think it was written in a hurry. Yet a close reading of the play may reveal otherwise. There is nothing missing from the final act. It is wellorganized and complete.

2. Readers should also consider the historical context: the story of Macbeth was chosen to please King James I (King of England from 1603-25). James I traced his ancestry back to Banquo (possibly a legendary or non-existent figure). James I also believed in witchcraft.

3. Question: What is the role of the witches? Portents of fate? Agents of evil?

4. Conflict: Although Macbeth is in conflict with a number of individuals (Duncan, Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm), Macbeth’s biggest conflict is with himself. This type of conflict is referred to as a Man vs. Himself conflict or internal conflict. Macbeth struggles with his conscience and his own feelings of guilt throughout the entire play. Of course, the argument can also be made that the Man vs. Fate conflict actually dominates this play. Time and again in his plays, Shakespeare reveals that a supernatural force interferes and controls man’s life. And Shakespeare usually refers to such a force as fate (destiny, fortune, chance). Shakespeare seldom refers to the force as being God or being an aspect of God’s power.

5. Climax (highest point of tension): fight between Macbeth and Macduff

6. Resolution (the conflict is resolved, at an end):

death of Macbeth

7. Denouement: Malcolm proclaimed king SOURCES

1. * Raphael Holinshed Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande (1577)

Shakespeare took liberties with this source, especially the death of King Duncan scene. That scene actually resembles more closely the real death of the father of King James I (who reigned from 1603-25). Therefore, King James would feel greater “horror and loathing” for the bloody act. Holinshed uses wizards and one witch for the prophecies. Students should note that Shakespeare often used Holinshed as a source, and many critics refer to the book simply as Holinshed’s Chronicles.

2. John Fordun Scotichronicon in Latin                     (c. 1384)

3. Andrew of Wyntoun Orygynale Cronykil of

Scotland (c. 1424)

In this chronicle, three prophetic women appear to Macbeth in a dream. The three women do not appear in Fordun.

4. Hector Boece Scotorum Historiae in Latin                            (1526)

5. John Bellenden The Hystory and Cronikilis of Scotland (1535)

      This was a translation of Boece’s chronicle.

6. Matthew Gwinne       pageant presentation                            (1605)

Gwinne’s work included an encounter with three witches.

[Sources 7-9 were possibly used by Shakespeare.]

10. Seneca      Roman tragedies (c. 50 AD)

The Classical playwright included many guilt and horror scenes (including blood-stained hands).

11. Unknown       medieval mystery plays

      This is a possible source for the porter scene.

12. King James I Daemonologie (1597) The king’s book included much information on the supernatural and may have been used by Shakespeare.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Macbeth was a real King of Scotland during the 11^th century. In 1040 he led a successful rebellion against King Duncan of Scotland. Macbeth then ruled Scotland for seventeen years. According to some historical accounts, he was a just king.

Macbeth was defeated by Malcolm and rebel forces in 1057. Macbeth died in that conflict.

      Several historians of the Middle Ages distorted or lied about Macbeth’s life because his reign marks a break or interruption in an otherwise unbroken dynasty of Scottish kings.

CHARACTER OF MACBETH

One of the ways to view a protagonist is by the dynamics of the characterization. A dynamic character changes in personality significantly during the course of the play. The character of Macbeth experiences a major transition:

bravery & loyalty        fear and treachery

The dynamics of Macbeth’s character might also be expressed as a degeneration or moral decay.

A number of critics also point to the hybris or excessive pride of Macbeth as a significant factor in evaluating his character. Macbeth’s confidences in prophecies of witches cause him to act carelessly, to throw caution (precaution) to the wind.

A few critics ask the following questions about Macbeth:

Is Macbeth too evil?

Does Shakespeare provide him with       sufficient motivation?

Is Macbeth too flat (as opposed to round)?

With a superficial reading of the play, Macbeth may appear to be flat or stereotypically evil. But on a closer reading of the play, the student should recognize that Shakespeare carefully develops his protagonist as a figure torn between his over-vaulting ambition and his pangs of guilt and conscience.