"Macbeth" (or "The Scottish Play")

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GCSE Macbeth Assignment

Shakespeare wrote “Macbeth” around 1606.  This was a very violent time for the newly recognised British Isles.  Just three years earlier, after nearly half a century in power, Queen Elizabeth I had died. She was succeeded by James I (or James VI of Scotland).  James was of Scottish heritage and his style of rule was very different to that of Elizabeth who had been strong and imposing character.  It would seem that James was a weaker monarch and in 1605, just two years after being crowned, there was a plot to destroy the houses of parliament, a symbol of his power.  This is famously known as the Gunpowder Plot and is still commemorated every year on the 5th of November.

Most agree that Shakespeare wrote “Macbeth” (or “The Scottish Play”) to comment on the underlying mood of the time.  He sets his play in Scotland to try and win favour with King James and furthermore, makes the subject matter that of assassination and regicide ending in overall failure, to try and warn other possible plotters against the king.  King James was renowned for his fascination and hatred of witches and during his reign tens of thousands of “witches” were killed.  Shakespeare thus makes all the carnage and murder in the play the result of the witches’ prophecies.

Our first impression of Macbeth is a very good one.  In only the second scene, before we even meet Macbeth, we hear him referred to as “brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name.”  Again, before Macbeth is even introduced to us, King Duncan remarks (with regard to Macbeth and Banquo) “they smack of honour both.”  Although we are also told that Macbeth’s sword was “smoked with bloody execution” this is most definitely seen as a positive attribute and not as grounds for worry for the other characters.  It could however, be a hint from Shakespeare that things are not completely as they seem.  

Initially, we see Macbeth as valiant and honourable and the man who, almost single-handedly, has saved the battle for his country.  At this point, there is no finite indication of the madness that is to follow.

In my opinion, right from the scene where we first meet Macbeth, Shakespeare makes it perfectly clear that he is not completely emotionally or psychologically stable.  Whilst returning from the battle, Macbeth and his good friend Banquo encounter the three withes that commenced the play.  They tell him, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!  All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!  All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter.”  Macbeth is clearly startled by this, but he tries to reason with himself that what has been said cannot possibly be true.

After a short jovial interlude with Banquo - Angus and Ross arrive and congratulate the two on their victory.  Then they endow Macbeth with the title of “Thane of Cawdor,” and I believe that this is the turning point of the whole play.  Macbeth seems almost entranced by this and speaks almost the whole of the rest of the scene to himself.  He tries to reason what had just taken place but now, he seems changed.  As the play develops, we get a closer insight into Macbeth’s mental instabilities and nowhere more so than before the murder of Duncan.  

Shakespeare has purposefully orchestrated a situation to show Macbeth’s true personality and inner feelings. Macbeth, however bloody and deranged he may seem after his encounter with the witches, is still a respectable man, and killing his king is a very large decision for him to take. Lady Macbeth has completely pressured him into this situation and this in itself shows us that Macbeth is not a strong person at all. We can see this clearly by the fact that Macbeth says “We will proceed no further in this business,” supposedly putting his foot down.  However, by the end of Lady Macbeth’s response Macbeth is already asking the question “If we should fail?”  This indicates that Lady Macbeth has no respect or fear for Macbeth who, only three scenes earlier was being described as bloody, valiant and honourable.

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He reminds his wife that “Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th’inventor,” pondering whether he would be killed if he were to be found out.

Possibly in another act of cowardice he never directly tells Lady Macbeth about what he thinks will happen. But instead tells her, “This blow might be the be-all and the end-all here.”  However, Lady Macbeth’s influence and determination is far greater than his and she forces Macbeth into the committing the deed.

Macbeth tells his wife that it would be inhumane to kill King Duncan, “I dare do all that may become a ...

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