Does Shakespeare portray Macbeth as a monster or a victim?

Macbeth was written by Shakespeare between 1606-1611. The story takes place in Scotland, where a brave soldier ‘Macbeth’ is predicted to become king. After being urged on by his wife, Macbeth kills the king and claims his right to the throne. After a few days’ people begin to become suspicious and eventually Macbeth has is comeuppance.

Shakespeare wrote in a time where women were inferior to men, people lived in a patriarchal society. So many of his plays resulted in a young boy playing the part of what would have been a woman. Shakespeare gripped audiences with compelling plays such as Romeo and Juliet which combine the sad story of death, with the emotional portrayal of a first love. In many of Shakespeare’s plays intriguing love stories become tangles up in violence, deceit and anger. Out of all his plays, ‘Macbeth’ captivated and still does huge audiences. The way Shakespeare gets the audience to sympathize with a cold blooded murdered is truly great.

Reading through the first pages Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a courageous warrior with huge respect from his fellow soldiers. However this image does not last long as Macbeth is introduced to the three evil witches. They convince him he will become King and Macbeths shift in character starts from there. Along with the witches, Lady Macbeth is viewed by some as pure evil. She convinces him to murder Duncan-he succumbs to the supposed inferior. At this point Macbeth can be seen as a coward and gutless. Despite this, Macbeth continues to shift character but not for the better. In this essay I will discuss if Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a monster or a victim, analysing his actions, punctuation and decisions over the course of the play.

At the start of the play Macbeth comes across as being a hero. His heroics in battle give him a superior status.

“For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name” Act 1, Scene 1, Line 15

Macbeth also appears worthy and a good man to all. His ambition to become king is there, but not to the extent it becomes.

“If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir” Act 1, Scene 3, line 46

Macbeth shows a few signs of worry when he questions his ability. He compares himself to a jockey who vaults over his horse and falls, he is aware of his weaknesses. I think Shakespeare portrays him as a hero here to set the story. We view him as a valiant brave soldier who commands respect from everyone, but this simply plots his downfall. I think Shakespeare wants the reader to really see how desperate Macbeth gets, as we see the both sides of what he is really like.

During Act 1 scene 3 the three Witches enter the fray. After seeing Macbeth fight valiantly in battle, it becomes interesting to see how he will appear in front of the witches. When meeting the witches Macbeth commands them to explain themselves

“Speak if you can, what are you” Act 1 Scene 3 line 50

This imperative is typical of a brave army general. Macbeth still comes across as being a great leader, but does meeting the witches plot his downfall?

In Shakespeare’s time superstition and witches were the taboo of all communities. If caught, a ...

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“Speak if you can, what are you” Act 1 Scene 3 line 50

This imperative is typical of a brave army general. Macbeth still comes across as being a great leader, but does meeting the witches plot his downfall?

In Shakespeare’s time superstition and witches were the taboo of all communities. If caught, a witch would be put on trial and whatever the outcome-they would be killed. I think Shakespeare included them because audiences in those days could relate to the pure wickedness of what witches were like. When Macbeth and Banquo visit the witches the story takes a massive turn. From being the brave warrior, the great leader, the most respected man, Macbeths fortunes start to take a turn for the worse. In Act 1, Scene 3, the witches and Macbeth finally meet. When they all meet for the first time, Macbeth is curious of the appearance of the three strange looking characters and asks them,

“Speak if you can. What are you?” Act 1 Scene 3 line 50

They tell Macbeth he will become, 'Thane of Cawdor,' and King. Macbeth then replies saying if he is to become King it

“Stands not in the prospect belief” Act 1 scene 3 line 101

This shows that Macbeth takes interest in what the witches say, but he doesn't take any notice until later on in the performance. The scenes continue through the same theme. For example, each time the witches appear, there is 'thunder and lightening.' This is a great use of pathetic fallacy; every time they enter the use of bad weather reflects the mood of that present scene. Banquo’s starch description of the witches truly portrays his own feelings.

“That look not like inhabitants o’ the earth and yet are on’t?” Act 1 scene 3 lines 41-41

This gives the reader a good indication on what they must be like, once again Shakespeare wants the reader to view them in a negative light and force the blame on them in the eventual killing of King Duncan.

When Macbeth hears what the witches have to say he is extremely excited and anxious to see if what they say is true.

“Tell me more” Act 1 scene 3 line 70

This quote simply shows that Macbeth is eager to hear more of what the witches have to say. On the other hand Banquo- who is with Macbeth is thinking that everything the witches are saying are lies and they are just tempting Macbeth to do evil things.

The witches are involved with Duncan’s murder and the subsequent actions of Macbeth because they told Macbeth that he was going to become king. This meant that to become king, he would have to kill Duncan and take his place. The following murders by Macbeth made were also caused by the three evil witches, because to keep Macbeth killing Duncan- a secret he had to kill others. I think that the witches told Macbeth their predictions of what was going to happen in the first place so that Macbeth would turn to evil and start to kill more and spread their wicked demons. Macbeth’s vision of the dagger has a huge significance on the play; however the witches had nothing to do with it. The floating dagger leads Macbeth to go and kill Duncan, and the witches prophecies are close to becoming true. But the witches only predicted that Macbeth will somehow become king, not how he will claim the throne.

Lady Macbeth is unlike any other women of her time. Women were inferior to men, Lady Macbeth commanded and bullied here supposed superior. At the time of the play, a little boy would have taken the role of Lady Macbeth. You can tell this because when Lady Macbeth calls for the spirits to

“Unsex me here” Act 1 scene 5 line 308

It makes the line more believable to the audience as she is already male. Lady Macbeth try’s to persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan calling him a coward and saying he is weak. She is effectively saying to Macbeth that he doesn’t have the courage to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth try’s to calm Macbeth down by saying to him “Look the gentle flower, but be the serpent inert” Act 1 scene 5 line 316. This means that you should not look at the innocent hero on top but be the evil serpent underneath at heart.

When describing Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare touches upon vast images of blood. This is a good technique as you can associate Lady Macbeth with all sorts of terrible things. Lady Macbeth knows that the evidence of blood is a treacherous symbol, and knows it will deflect the guilt from her and Macbeth to the servants when she says "Smear the sleepy grooms withe blood.", and "If he do bleed, I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt." Act 2 scene 2 lines 64-65

Lady Macbeth shows the most vivid example of guilt with the use of the imagery of blood, in the scene that she walks in her sleep. She says "Out damned spot! Out I say! One: two: why then 'tis time to do't, hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it when none can call out power to account? Yet who have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?" Act 5, Scene 1, lines 32-37. All these references in the quotation are to murder and both include direct references to blood, again linking blood to treachery and murder. Yet, this speech represents the fact that she cannot wipe the blood stains of Duncan off her hand. It is ironic that she says this, because right after the murder, when Macbeth was feeling guilty, she said,

"A little water clears us of this deed." Act 2, scene 3, line 68

When the doctor of the castle finds out about this sleepwalking, he tells Macbeth,

"As she is troubled with thick-coming fantasies," Act 2 scene 2, line 55

Meaning that Lady Macbeth is having dreams that deal with blood.

I think Shakespeare wants his audience to view Lady Macbeth as a silly woman, who in truth-needs to be put back in place and conform to the patriarchal society that existed then.

Macbeth evil thoughts arise when he begins to think about the murder in Act 1 Scene 4. Horrid ideas start to circle in his mind when he thinks about becoming king, but they are quickly dismissed by him. However when Lady Macbeth starts filling his mind with evil antics, his emotions take over. Her persuasive language and derogatory insults bully the once strong Macbeth into committing the murder. “I dare not wait upon I would, Like the poor cat I th’adage?” Act 1 scene 7, lines 43-45

In this scene Lady Macbeth is referring to a proverb in which a cat wanted to catch fish but did not want to get its feet wet. She is suggesting that Macbeth would not have any self-respect if he does not commit the murder. She also blasts him at being a coward. In these few scenes Macbeths shift in character becomes very apparent. From being a brave hero and standing tall, he is bullied and battered by his own wife. His knowledge does not shine through either as he reluctantly winds on in the killing of the king. It does not take long for Macbeth to follow through and actually commit the crime “And live like a coward in thine own esteem “Act 1, scene 7, lines 47-48. Once again Lady Macbeth criticizes her husband, this time questioning his manhood. One of Macbeth’s final failings comes when he plucks up the courage to question Lady Macbeth. He asks about the ever present guards that guard Duncan’s room.

“The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon his spongy officers? Who shall bear the guilt of our great quell?” Act 1, scene 7, lines 109-110

Despite this Macbeth is convinced again by Lady Macbeth’s devious words. She reassures him that everything will be fine, and Macbeth falls for the lies again. The final argument comes towards the end of Act 1.

“He hath honour’d me of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people” Act 1, scene 7, lines 35-39

Here Macbeth is claiming that King Duncan had been good to him, and that many people had spoken highly of him. This argument comes a bit late as Macbeth has already arranged the murder. If Macbeth had pondered before hand on how good Duncan had been to him then Macbeth would have probably not continued on in setting up the killing.

After the witches prophecies Macbeths and Banquo’s reactions differ quite clearly.

“Your children shall be king” Act 1, scene 3, line 93

“You shall be the king” Act 1, scene 3, line 94

Here both Macbeth and Banquo are confused, they ponder for a while before reacting in different ways. Macbeth gets excited that he will be crowned king, he is content at the fact he will have great power

“Two truths are told” Act 1, scene 3, line 113

Macbeth is convinced by the witches’ words, he believes that not only Banquos sons will take the throne, but he himself will become king. Macbeths greed shows here, his emotions prevail and his image is somewhat dented. Banquo seems less taken by the witch’s prophecies; Macbeth is showing his other side. The decline in graciousness ends in terrible circumstances. After killing the king, Macbeth becomes suspicious of Banquo. He arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to be murdered, Fleance escapes- but Banquo is quickly killed. More horrific events occur when Macbeth learns that Macduff is the only man who can overthrow him off his throne. This sparks a hasty reaction from Macbeth as he has Macduffs family killed.

“Give to th’edge o’ th sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” Act 4, scene 1, lines 86-90

Shakespeare really emphasizes the evil in Macbeth, having sympathized with him previously the reader now views Macbeth as a cold blooded murderer. I think this is what Shakespeare wanted, the reader to judge whether Macbeth can be forgiven for his cowardly acts.

Overall I think that Shakespeare wants us to believe that Macbeth is a monster. I think this because the killing spree embarks on towards the end has no defence. The witches may have tricked him into doing certain things, but most men would be brave enough to stand up in the face of evil. This portrays Macbeth as being a cowardly man and performing things rather unlike himself. I think that Lady Macbeth is seen in a negative light due to the simple imagery Shakespeare used when talking about her

“There is no light, thee one half world” Act 1, scene 5, line 33

Darkness here can be seen to represent evil, which usually ties in when Lady Macbeth is around.

Overall Shakespeare’s Macbeth combines an eloquent tale of portrayal, deceit and murder with the gripping inner story of one mans lust for power. It is a great tale which the leading character is show in two lights- a monster and a victim. I enjoyed reading this play, and I hope to continue reading Shakespeare other pieces.

Sean Melody 10W