There Will Be Blood (Macbeth Review) Feraco Search for Human Potential 20 January 2009

Macbeth in a Nutshell “Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history.” “Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history.” The Inauguration

What is This Play About? Five Main Points (ILISE) Five Main Points (ILISE) History History Contemporary Concerns Contemporary Concerns Characters Characters Tons of other themes, motifs, and elements Tons of other themes, motifs, and elements

History / Concerns Shakespeare’s company was employed by King James Shakespeare’s company was employed by King James Specific audience, specific interests Specific audience, specific interests –Scottish history > English history –James believed he was one of the historical Banquo’s descendents –Witches and chants

Five Main Points Although there are many other thematic and story-based concerns to study, it’s important to remember that most of them fit under the umbrella of the five major areas we’ve studied all semester. Although there are many other thematic and story-based concerns to study, it’s important to remember that most of them fit under the umbrella of the five major areas we’ve studied all semester. Shakespeare’s opinions regarding love, enlightenment, security, independence, and identity are complicated – hence our study of his work. Shakespeare’s opinions regarding love, enlightenment, security, independence, and identity are complicated – hence our study of his work.

Love (and Trust) While reading Macbeth, While reading Macbeth, it’s best to ask yourself the questions that the playwright seems to be prompting you to ask For example: For example: –What is “love”? –Can we totally trust ourselves in the hands of another? –Is it better to trust everyone (believing in the basic goodness of your fellow man) or trust no one?

Enlightenment How does knowledge provide the characters with power? How does knowledge provide the characters with power? How does it doom them? How does it doom them? How does the characters’ lack of knowledge influence the play’s narrative? How does the characters’ lack of knowledge influence the play’s narrative? As you can clearly see, As you can clearly see, enlightenment requires more than an extensive collection of facts – it requires understanding Knowledge without Knowledge without comprehension is a comprehension is a dangerous, dangerous thing dangerous, dangerous thing

Security (and Trust) Macbeth gains Duncan’s favor through willing service, including his vigorous defense of the kingdom when the rebels and Norwegians attack Macbeth gains Duncan’s favor through willing service, including his vigorous defense of the kingdom when the rebels and Norwegians attack Yet it is Duncan’s willingness to trust Macbeth – to place his security in the hands of another – that leads to his murder Yet it is Duncan’s willingness to trust Macbeth – to place his security in the hands of another – that leads to his murder Macbeth’s rule is never secure, because he trusts no one; he constantly fears any threat to his seat of power Macbeth’s rule is never secure, because he trusts no one; he constantly fears any threat to his seat of power

Independence Is Macbeth independent? Is Macbeth independent? He’s certainly influenced by people (the Weird Sisters, Lady Macbeth), as well as by less tangible forces (the prophecy, his own paranoia) He’s certainly influenced by people (the Weird Sisters, Lady Macbeth), as well as by less tangible forces (the prophecy, his own paranoia) Can he make his own Can he make his owndecisions? He doesn’t feel as though He doesn’t feel as though he can rule freely until Act IV, when another misunderstood prophecy inflates his confidence to dangerous levels Is he in control of his own Is he in control of his owndestiny?

Identity Who is Macbeth? Who is Macbeth? This is something the play grapples with for its entire duration This is something the play grapples with for its entire duration Is he a good person? A bad person? Loyal? Treacherous? Brave? Cowardly? Intelligent? Blind? Ambitious? Greedy? Is he a good person? A bad person? Loyal? Treacherous? Brave? Cowardly? Intelligent? Blind? Ambitious? Greedy? Macbeth is haunted by his initial murder, then slowly descends into madness Macbeth is haunted by his initial murder, then slowly descends into madness

Other Characters How do the aforementioned points (ILISE) apply to other characters? How do the aforementioned points (ILISE) apply to other characters? –Lady Macbeth and security/identity –Duncan and enlightenment –Macduff and love/security –Malcolm and identity –Banquo and enlightenment –The Weird Sisters and independence

Family Was Macbeth a father? Was Macbeth a father? –We’ll go over this more when we have time For now, take a moment to consider the families Shakespeare shows us For now, take a moment to consider the families Shakespeare shows us –One is extremely dysfunctional (the Macbeths) –All are ravaged by death (Siward, Duncan, Macduff, Macbeth, Banquo) Shakespeare’s characters are also motivated by familial concerns, whether it is Macbeth’s deference to Lady Macbeth, Banquo’s desire to see Fleance rule Scotland, or Malcolm’s need to avenge his father Shakespeare’s characters are also motivated by familial concerns, whether it is Macbeth’s deference to Lady Macbeth, Banquo’s desire to see Fleance rule Scotland, or Malcolm’s need to avenge his father

Ambition Self-ambition – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seek the throne Self-ambition – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seek the throne Ambition for others – Banquo and Fleance, Duncan and Malcolm Ambition for others – Banquo and Fleance, Duncan and Malcolm The terrible toll The terrible toll ambition takes on a human soul The terrible punishment The terrible punishment a person corrupted by ambition can exact on others

Revenge “Blood will have blood” “Blood will have blood” Although Malcolm flees at first, he comes back in force Although Malcolm flees at first, he comes back in force –Birnam Wood marches, after all After the slaughter of his entire family – “all my pretty ones?” – Macduff ends up carrying Macbeth’s head around on a pike After the slaughter of his entire family – “all my pretty ones?” – Macduff ends up carrying Macbeth’s head around on a pike

Fear Banquo fears what the prophecy portends – and that Macbeth has used illicit means to win the throne Banquo fears what the prophecy portends – and that Macbeth has used illicit means to win the throne Macbeth fears his past (someone discovering that he murdered the king) and his future (His “barren scepter” refusing to produce an heir, leaving him vulnerable to a coup) Macbeth fears his past (someone discovering that he murdered the king) and his future (His “barren scepter” refusing to produce an heir, leaving him vulnerable to a coup)

Guilt “Out, damn spot!” “Out, damn spot!” Although Macbeth is the one who expresses guilt over the initial action, it is Lady Macbeth who is driven insane by the deed – consumed by her guilt, unable to wash an invisible stain from her hands or conscience Although Macbeth is the one who expresses guilt over the initial action, it is Lady Macbeth who is driven insane by the deed – consumed by her guilt, unable to wash an invisible stain from her hands or conscience

Pride / Hubris Macbeth’s death results (in part) from his own arrogance; he misinterpreted the witches’ prophecies in a way that allowed him to gain confidence Macbeth’s death results (in part) from his own arrogance; he misinterpreted the witches’ prophecies in a way that allowed him to gain confidence Duncan fails to protect himself adequately; is this the result of pride? Duncan fails to protect himself adequately; is this the result of pride?

There is More to Cover… But this will do for now. But this will do for now.