Macbeth

Maryam Mohamed 10a

To what extent is masculinity associated with evil and violence in Macbeth?

Evil is a theme widely explored by Shakespeare in his plays and “Macbeth” is no exception. This play demonstrates violence in relation to evil, and evil in turn is a reflection of the desperation and anxieties of the characters in “Macbeth.” The question of whether masculinity is associated with evil and violence is easily answered as the main character in this horrific tragedy is Macbeth himself, who commits a range of heinous crimes from murder, to dabbling with witchcraft. However, the extent to which masculinity is related to evil is more obscure. In this essay I am going to show that evil and violence in “Macbeth” is not monopolised by masculine characters. To show this I will be analysing female characters who demonstrate strong evil qualities and personalities such as Lady Macbeth, The Witches and Hecate. I will also discuss Banquo, Macduff and King Duncan because these characters represent chivalry, nobility and honour of human characters, even though they are male.

The first character I will be looking at is Macbeth himself. This is because he is the central character and focus of the entire play. From the outset Macbeth is depicted as a fierce war hero:

“Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops,

And fixed his head upon our battlements.”

(Act 1: Scene 1: Lines 22 – 23)

The captain using the word, “Unseamed…….nave to the chops,” gives the impression that Macbeth has an evil side to him which he is struggling to control as no admirable man would commit an attack like murder in such a savage way. It also shows how brutal and dangerous Macbeth can be. Shakespeare’s use of this vivid imagery of the brutal battle shows Macbeth’s capability of violence and bloodshed.

Although he is violent, Macbeth is still portrayed as a heroic and noble character. He is described by King Duncan as a, “Worthy Gentleman!” (Act 1: Scene 2: Line 24)

The captain who reports the brave battle states, “Brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name.” (Act 2: Scene 2: Line 16)

Upon hearing these comments, Shakespeare has presented Macbeth to the audience as a patriotic and noble character.

When Macbeth is told his fate by the three witches he can’t believe that such a thing could happen to him. However, the fact that a supposedly noble, and righteous gentleman gives significance brings Macbeth’s character into question. This is because in Elizabethan society, witches were seen as a sign of evil and thought to have had close relations with the devil. Therefore, for Macbeth to respond to their prophecies in such a way suggests that he is perhaps not the noble and righteous character that is introduced to us in Act 1 Scene 2.

Nevertheless, Macbeth is still intrigued by what the witches have to say and yearns to find out more:

“But how of Cawdor” (Act 1: Scene 3: Lines 71). Macbeth then questions the witches on how they know of such events. By engaging with evil forces and craving to know more of what is in plan for him, Macbeth reveals a sense of anticipation and ambition.

When Rosses declares, “Call thee Thane of Cawdor,” ( Act 1: Scene 3: Line 104), Macbeth realises that the second prophecy of the witches has come true. This gives Macbeth reassurance that if he ...

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Nevertheless, Macbeth is still intrigued by what the witches have to say and yearns to find out more:

This is when Macbeth begins to have thoughts of killing Duncan: “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical.” (Act 1: Scene 2: Lines 139). Macbeth finds these thoughts disheartening as he convinces himself that having these formidable thoughts of committing such deeds is not within his nature, but we notice the word, “ yet.” This means that he can be easily persuaded into pursuing this horrific crime.

In Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth still seems buried under and overwhelmed by his thoughts on deciding whether or not to murder Duncan. He makes a decision not to go ahead with the act, but he then goes back on his decision by persuasion from Lady Macbeth. This shows that Macbeth can be quite easily influenced and manipulated. Perhaps this is why the witches chose to meddle in his life or it could be that his inner evil just needs some support to be actualised. Although Macbeth claims he does not have the evil in him to kill Duncan, he still wants him dead, so that he can be king. This makes it easier for Lady Macbeth to manipulate him into getting the deed done.

At the beginning of Act 1 Scene 4 we find Macbeth putting on an act as the time draws nearer to the moment of the sin. He does this by behaving as a caring and loyal person, who is indepted to his, “ Doing everything safe towards your love and honour,” (Act 1: Scene 4: Lines 26 – 27). Macbeth then reveals a slight clue to his evil plan towards the end of the Scene, “ Stars...........let not see my black and deep desires....... which the eyes fears, when it’s done, to see.” (Act 1: Scene 4: Lines 50 – 53). Although Macbeth is desperate to be king, he wishes he did not have to watch the fiendish act he has planned. Yet again, Shakespeare has used this imagery to show that Macbeth is a loyal person, but he has a constant battle with his conscience to keep his dark and devilish nature under control. Macbeth now knows that his villainous side is slowly taking over his mind by planting evil thoughts within him.

If we look at Act 2 Scene 1, the famous ‘dagger’ speech, this is when Macbeth finally swallows the last good in him and murders King Duncan. He begins to hallucinate which maybe shows that he thinks of it all as a dream and he is not really doing it. “ Mine eyes are made the fools o’ the other senses, or else worth all the rest.” (Act 2: Scene 1: Lines 45 – 46).

At the beginning of Act 2 Scene 2, Macbeth returns from killing Duncan and feels very guilty. This shows that he still does have a heart and deep down, he knows that he has just signed himself an early death by someone who’s ambition takes over them like it has done to Macbeth.

“List’ning their fear, i could not say ‘Amen’ when they did say ‘God bless us.’”

(Act 2: Scene 2: Lines 28 – 29)

Macbeth felt that he was too evil to even say ‘Amen’ prayers, therefore I think he knows that what he has done with is own hands is loathsome and sinful by which he has gone against God’s natural order. He has done this by changing the way God put everyone in their places.

When Lady Macbeth orders Macbeth to return to Duncan’s chamber and smear the blood from his dagger on the servants, he refuses as he does not want to face what he has carried out.

“ I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what i have done –

Look on’t again, I dare not.” (Act 2: Scene 2: Lines 50 – 52).

Here Macbeth admits that he is not courageous enough to face what he has done revealing a conscienceness towards morality.

Lady Macbeth is displays an overbearing strength of character at the beginning of the play. We also see the closeness between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth through her very excited reaction to the letter from Macbeth. It also shows how Lady Macbeth is her husbands confidant. In the beginning of the play her character traits begin to become obvious to the audience; she is dominant, subjective and, like her husband, very ambitious. These qualities make her into a menacing character. Firstly, when Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from her husband, we notice right away that she plays an important part in her relationship with Macbeth, showing the forceful side to her.

“Yet do i fear thy nature, it is too full o’th’milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way,” (Act 1: Scene 5: Lines 14 – 16) showing that she knows Macbeth’s character too well and knows that it is not in his heart/ nature to do such a thing.

Lady Macbeth invokes the evil spirits to ‘unsex’ so she can be filled with cruelty and be left with no feminine qualities (i.e removing all emotions of guilt or remorse). This suggests that evil is not male or female but rather ‘sexless.’

“ Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse.” (Act 1: Scene 5: Line 42).

Lady Macbeth cleverly learns how to prey upon Macbeth when he feels weak and doubtful and taunts at his masculinity and courage. The questioning of whether he is a man or not quickly subdues him into going along with her plan.

In Act 1 Scene 7, he almost turns his back on the idea of killing Duncan when she bullies Macbeth into doing as she wishes and talks all the goodness out of him.

“ I have given suck and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me:

I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had i sworn as you have done to this.”

(Act 1: Scene 7: Lines 54 – 59).

These lines present the image that Lady Macbeth is not totally invoked by evil and did once love someone very much. However, it also shows her brutality and how far she would go just to stick to her words.

This is showing that she is a woman who knows how to get what she wants using psychology. Ironically, this is what causes her to loose her sanity later on in the play, her mind ultimately pushes her to commit suicide proving that her sense of reason got the better of her.

Lady Macbeth is a good example of why evil is not gender specific as female characters can have strong evil qualities.

Furthermore, the witches are undoubtedly evil, as indicated by their chant, “Fair is foul and foul is fair,”(Act : Scene ).

The witches are associated with evil, but they are also the cause of the events of the play. If they had not told Macbeth the prophecy, he would not have been obsessed with becoming king. Lady Macbeth claims she needs to rid herself of feminine qualities and adopt masculine emotions and feelings. However, she seems to have a great deal of evil in her to begin with.

At the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3, the witches discuss unnatural acts that go on as if to show the audience how evil and macabre they are, which is how Shakespeare has portrayed them.

“ But in a sieve i’ll thither sail, and like a rat without a tail.”

(Act 1: Scene 3: Lines 7 – 8).

In those days people believed witches could turn into animals ( one without tails) and sail in sieves.

However, the gender of the witches is a matter of confusion because they appear to be women, “ And yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.” (Act 1: Scene 3: Lines 45 – 46). This again makes it difficult to assign evilness to male or female alone.

Hecate is the goddess of all witches and is not a very significant character but she shows that femine charactars can also be totally evil. She appears in Act 3 Scene 5, when she is annoyed that the witches did not involve her in their mind games on Macbeth.

To make up for it she tells them she will be making a spell where Macbeth will find his destiny.

“ As by the strenght of their illusion shall draw him on his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear he hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace and fear.” (Act 3: Scene 5: Lines 28 – 31).

This shows the spitefullness of her attitude towards Macbeth and his death would not faze her at all. Also, she mentions before she leaves that she knows what would lead Macbeth to his destruction.

“ And you all know, security is mortals’ chiefest enemy.”

(Act 3: Scene 5: Lines 32 – 33).

This means that she knows Macbeth’s over confidence will lead to his destruction.

The essay will now look at masculine characters such as Macduff, King Duncan and Banquo who present masculinity in a positive light. Macduff, the Thane of Fife is patriotic and loyal. When he realises something is not right, he goes to get help, meanwhile leaving his family behind. This proves he places greater importance on the greater good by leaving his family for the sake of his country.

King Duncan is the rightful King of Scotland, but is murdered by his beloved friend/ cousin, Macbeth. Duncan at first seems a very pleasant character who has the traits of everything good. He seems very upset when the former Thane of Cawdor betrays him. This makes him look very naive at the fact that he puts his trust in almost everyone, and was betrayed twice. This shows that he is a representation of good.

Banquo is a very noble character. He is a good friend of Macbeth and is the first to become suspicious of Macbeth after the murder of King Duncan. When the witches tell him his ‘fate’ he is aware of their falsehood and does not believe them. While Macbeth is interested to know more, Banquo is very doubtful and weary of them and seems to be fascinated by their appearance.

“What are these, so withered and so wild in their attire, that look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth, and yet are on’t?”(Act 1: Scene 3: Lines 38 – 41).

In conclusion, men in “Macbeth” are the ones that commit the murders. They are shown fighting in battles and it is ultimately Macbeth who goes and kills Duncan. Furthermore, when the issue of murder arises, ideas of cowardice are associated with someone not committing murder:

Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour, as thou art in desire?” (Act 1: Scene 7: Lines 39 – 41).

“Like the poor cat i’th’adage?” (Act 1: Scene 7: Line 44).

Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth’s masculinity in order to strengthen him. Similarly, when Macbeth hires murderers in Act 3 Scene 1 he, like Lady Macbeth, questions their manliness as a form of persuasion.

“Do you find your patience so predominant in your nature that you can let this go?” (Act 3: Scene 1: Lines 84 – 86).

However, it is not entirely correct to say that evil is only related to, or stems from a masculine source. What contrasts this viewpoint is that we see certain characters such as Duncan, Banquo and Macduff who present masculinity in a positive light.

It is not fair to say that evil is only associated to masculinity. Both the Witches and Lady Macbeth are portrayed as the most crude and most evil characters in the play. Hecate, the only divine being shown in the play, is the goddess of witches. This perhaps suggests that ultimately women are the forces of evil.

However, there is also another side to this arguement. The fact that evil appears to be present in both men (Macbeth, the Murderers) and women (Lady Macbeth, the Witches and Hecate) in the play, suggests that it is not enough to categorise evil as masculine or feminine.

The gender of the witches is a matter of confusion because they appear to be women and: “Yet have beards.”

Lady Macbeth invokes the evil spirits to “unsex” her. Thus evil itself is ‘sexless’ that a result can be found present in anyone, regardless of gender. Rather that evil can exist in both sexes. Evil is force that transgresses gender.

Maryam Mohamed 10a