This immediate contradiction epitomises the moral struggle Macbeth faces for the rest of the play.
Ambition is Macbeth’s tragic flaw, which is his inevitable downfall. It is because of ambition that Macbeth longs for power, making him do these evil deeds.
Macbeth shows signs of growing immorality whilst he considers what the witches have predicted. He frequently denies contemplating what they have told him, and keeps his “black and deep desires” hidden from those who inquire. Even after long soliloquies like in Act I Scene III, in which Macbeth discusses his desires openly to himself, he denies thinking of such things – “My dull brain was wrought With things forgotten”. This shows that he recognises his inner faults and immoral desires. Moreover, this is spoken to Banquo, suggesting his deceitful nature.
Throughout the play Macbeth’s constant emotion turmoil, due to his conscience, are evident. Once he receives the witches prediction, he immediately decides that for him to become King he would have to commit an atrocity “Whose horrid image…unfix my hair”. Most normal, good people would not instantly assume that to fulfil a prediction such as this would require an inhumane, evil deed. The fact that Macbeth immediately presumes he must kill, indicates that his evil nature, or at least his lack of complete virtue.
To kill the King, and violate one of the ten chief Christian commandments (which were wholeheartedly followed in Shakespeare’s times) illustrates that Macbeth is cold, calculating and callous. The murder was premeditated, and not a spontaneous murder due to overwhelming emotion, further condemning Macbeth. Moreover, this killing was only committed for personal gain, and had no justification. Even Macbeth admits that to kill the King would be unjust and illegitimate;
“First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host”
The actuality that Macbeth realises this, shows that his pre-conceived plan is formulated from evil desires, and in committing this crime, he affirms his portrayal as an evil character. Not only does Macbeth commit these deeds, he pretends to be saddened, deceiving others as to his true desires and evil acts. This is also an important theme ; deceit – one thing appearing another. Another example of this outward deceit comes when Macbeth denies thinking of the witches to Banquo, “I think of them not”, when truthfully, he has thought of nothing else since. His evil is made more prominent by his continued self-portrayal of virtue.
Macbeth is also unwilling to openly name the deed he is about to commit more than once. This shows he is fearful of the actuality of what the deed means, and that he himself is considering committing it.
However, Macbeth does not act on these feelings immediately, showing that he is not evil enough to commit such a devious and vicious act. Furthermore, it was Lady Macbeth who is responsible for persuading him to kill Duncan, showing that he was incapable of perpetrating such a violent act single-handedly. Without Lady Macbeth’s intervention, it is doubtful that he would have had the conviction to carry out this deed. Indeed, Lady Macbeth admits that he is “too full o’th’milk of human kindness”, indicating Macbeth is not evil enough to kill the King without persuasion. In addition, Macbeth shows constant remorse and sorrow for his actions, illustrating that he is not pure evil or immoral. Macbeth struggles to come to turns with the crime, and feels that his conscience will forever be tarnished:
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand?”
Indeed, the imagery of washing hands to cleanse the soul of remorse and show repentance occurs many times, and is seen again later, once Lady Macbeth starts to show signs of guilt. Macbeth also feels himself becoming evil, and tries to repent, finding the word “Amen” stick in his throat – showing he feels he has been rejected by God; no longer qualifying for God’s love and support. Macbeth realises that committing this crime would result in damnation, but still carries it out. The last sign of remorse that we see is Macbeth’s apparent vision of the ghost of Banquo. One explanation for this vision is that Macbeth’s own guilt is making him see this figure, a reminder of the vicious murder he has just sanctioned – a final bout of sorrow before he finally accepts his evil fate. The other interpretation is that it is actually Banquo returning from the dead to haunt Macbeth. Shakespeare’s intention is not known, but I believe that as only Macbeth can see the ghost, it is his conscience which created the vision, showing his remorse.
However, the signs of remorse are brief, as Macbeth consolidates his appearance as an evil figure, by sanctioning the murder of Banquo and Fleance for the security of his position, and by ruling a “tyranny”. By the end of the play all signs of Macbeth’s remorse and guilt have disappeared. Macbeth then callously wishes Banquo well, and calls him “dear friend…whom we miss”, even though he has just ordered his brutal and unfounded execution.
Moreover, Macbeth recognises and embraces his immorality and chooses not to reject or fight it.
“I am in blood
Stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more
Returning were as tedious as go o'er."
He exclaims that he has committed treacherous and evil acts, but does not show remorse. In addition, he says he’s come this far, and resolves to continue on this evil path to ensure his success. After all, he committed these deeds out of ambition, it would be foolish to give up the success he has achieved. Others also recognise Macbeth’s evil nature. For example, Malcolm describes him as “ a dead butcher” at the end of the play, implying Macbeth is inhuman and cruel. Also, we are told Macbeth “rules through fear”, indicating his evil. Macbeth finally consolidates his portrayal as an evil character by slaying many and ordering a full, brutal, murderous assault on the approaching English army.
Lady Macbeth’s character also personifies the conflict between good and evil. At the start of the play, when we first meet Lady Macbeth we are given the impression that she is somewhat devious and manipulative. She immediately decides to persuade Macbeth to get rid of any opposition to their success. Lady Macbeth proclaims that she will
“pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round”
This demonstrates her manipulative nature; she desires Macbeth to become King, possibly so she can receive fame and glory too. The imagery used here also indicates her evil; she refers to “spirits”, and although this is metaphorical, it does indicate her evil thoughts. Furthermore, she summons literal evil spirits to “stop up th’access and passage to remorse”. She wants to remove her humanity and morality, enabling her to persuade and be an accessory to Macbeth’s rise to power, and the acts he must commit to reach that goal. If “Come, you spirits” is taken literally, then it illustrates both the conflicts inside someone and in the outside World. Moreover, after the killing of Duncan she is calm and apparently unperturbed, and continues to make arrangements to hide the evidence. The lack of remorse she shows confirms her appearance as bitter, twisted and evil. However, Lady Macbeth does not carry out the act and cannot be accused of being murderous nor completely evil. Indeed, by the end of the play she does not seem to be evil. She exclaims that she would like the King if he hadn’t have been too much like her father, indicating her own virtuous emotions. Through Lady Macbeth’s revelations during sleep walking, we see she is in fact plagued with guilt, and ever sorrowful of the crimes she has been an accessory to. Once again we see the imagery of cleansing, as Lady Macbeth repeatedly appears to be trying to remove the blood on her:
“Wash your hands, put on your night-gown, look
not so pale”
This blood is to symbolise her guilt: her conscience and character are plagued by it. She wants to rid herself of guilt, - “ all the per-fumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand”. This mirrors Macbeth’s earlier remorse shown. Plus, we are told that Lady Macbeth also requires a light continually. This may suggest that she fears the dark, and uses the light to block it away; penetrating the shadows and removing her fear. The dark may again be a metaphor by association; the light may signify virtue, and the dark evil. Lady Macbeth is trying to renounce the darkness and embrace virtue once more. It appears that the guilt of her conscience was too great a burden to bear, as in the end in Act V Scene V, she commits suicide, finally ending her suffering.
If Macbeth is seen as the evil character, then Banquo can be represented as the prominent good or virtuous character. For example, it is Banquo who airs caution and disbelief against the witches and their predictions – “Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s”. Banquo thinks that the witches might be lying, or the things they predict might be suspicious and suspect. Furthermore the struggle can be seen within him too,, as he too does want to know the witches’ predictions and therefore be associated with darkness. The difference is however, that he does not let the predictions of the witches consume him. He recognises the evil within the witches and their predictions, and although he keeps them in mind, he does not let them consume him, nor is he overcome with desire to fulfil the prophecies through evil acts. “Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts”. Banquo thinks of the predictions, but does not do anything evil to fulfil them.
Banquo turns out to be the very image of virtue that we are told Macbeth is at the start of the play. Banquo is loyal and brave and as he himself proclaims, “allegiance clear”, faithful to whom he serves. Macduff, Duncan’s sons and Fleance are all seen as good characters, as they remain loyal to their principals and friends, and remove Macbeth as tyrant.
The witches, also called the weïrd sisters, and Hecate, goddess of witchcraft are the only characters in the play that are shown as openly evil and symbols of Darkness and evil. The only other symbols of evil that we see are the possible summoning of spirits by Lady Macbeth and the possible ghost of Banquo. Of course, the ambiguity of the actuality of these occurrences could change the prominence of the supernatural theme within the play.
The witches are meant to be evil characters, especially to Shakespeare’s intended audience. They scheme and plot to destroy Macbeth, and as Hecate describes they
“Shall draw him on to his confusion
He shall spurn fate, scorn death and fear.
And you all know, security
Is mortals’ chiefest enemy”.
Hecate tells the witches to fill Macbeth with over confidence that will lead to his own destruction. Hecate and the witches speak in rhymes, with a regular metre, emphasising them as then stereotypical witches. The witches play on Macbeth’s ambition and use it to fool him into believing he is invincible, which causes his achievements to crumble around him.
The conflict between good and evil within the play does not just exist within characters, but is also shown in the outside World. For instance after the murder of Duncan, the surrounding World was sent into turmoil. The Old Man says “’Tis unnatural”. The Old Man talks about the day being shrouded by a darkness, that “dark night strangles the travelling lamp”. This imagery again emphasises the struggle between good and evil; light and dark. The darkness has overcome the light, mirroring the change in Macbeth’s character. Images of light and dark recur frequently. For example, as discussed earlier, the fact that Lady Macbeth requires a light with her at all times further illustrates this point. Heaven and Hell are also prominent features as use in imagery, and they show the dependence Shakespeare’s society had on religion. Indeed the witches are referred to as evil creatures, Banquo calls them “devils”. Macbeth recognises his evil nature. This is shown when he says
“Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
The Lord’s anointed temple and stole thence”
Macduff also refers to Macbeth as a “hell-hound”. Macbeth himself gives indication that he believes his acts are evil, and that he will receive punishment. He says that he “could not say ‘Amen?’”. This illustrates that he feels disassociated with God, and feels he is unworthy of virtuous praise. This indicates that he knows he is facing an eternity of damnation. For this reason he shows remorse, but this remorse is subdued, and eventually disappears for good. Macbeth relinquishes any hope of successful repentance, accepting his evil nature. Praying is also common images used to portray the reliance on religion. For instance, Banquo says “Cousins, a word, I pray you”.
The struggle between good and evil is present throughout ‘Macbeth’. In the end we see good overcoming evil; in the death of main character, who by the end was an evil figure. We see virtue restored, taking its place as saviour and leader of humanity. Evil is completely diminished, and the remaining characters seem pure and valiant, all embodiments of complete goodness. It must also be said that although this play was written many years ago, the themes it includes are still valid in this day.
