Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, written sometime in 1606–07 and published in the First Folio of 1623. The play is set in Scotland and England in the 11th century, and tells the story of Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman who is driven by ambition and his wife’s influence to murder King Duncan and usurp the throne. Macbeth’s reign is marked by tyranny, guilt, and paranoia, and he is eventually killed by Macduff, a loyal thane who joins forces with Malcolm, Duncan’s son and rightful heir.
Characteristics of Elizabethan Tragedy Macbeth
Macbeth is an example of Elizabethan tragedy, a genre of drama that flourished in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and her successors. Elizabethan tragedy is characterized by:
- The use of blank verse, a form of unrhymed iambic pentameter, is the main mode of expression. Blank verse allows for flexibility, variety, and naturalness of speech, and is suitable for conveying complex emotions and thoughts.
- The influence of classical and medieval sources, such as the works of Seneca, Plutarch, and Holinshed. Shakespeare drew on these sources for his plots, characters, themes, and motifs, but also adapted and transformed them to suit his artistic vision and the expectations of his audience.
- The exploration of human nature, especially the dark and tragic aspects, such as ambition, pride, revenge, madness, and fate. Shakespeare’s tragedies depict the downfall of great and noble characters, who are flawed by a tragic flaw or a fatal error of judgment, and who suffer the consequences of their actions.
- The incorporation of supernatural elements, such as witches, ghosts, and prophecies. Shakespeare used these elements to create a sense of mystery, horror, and suspense, and to reflect the moral and psychological turmoil of his characters.
- The mixture of comedy and tragedy, or tragicomedy, a technique that creates contrast, irony, and relief. Shakespeare’s tragedies often contain comic scenes or characters, such as the porter in Macbeth, who provide a break from the tension and seriousness of the main plot, and who also comment on or criticize the actions of the protagonists.
Themes and Symbols of Elizabethan Tragedy Macbeth
Macbeth is a rich and complex play that explores various themes and symbols, such as:
- Ambition and power, the main driving forces of Macbeth and his wife. The play shows how ambition can corrupt and destroy a person, and how power can be abused and misused. Macbeth’s ambition leads him to commit regicide, the most heinous crime in his society, and to become a tyrant who rules by fear and violence. His power isolates him from his friends, allies, and subjects, and makes him paranoid and insecure.
- Guilt and conscience, the main sources of torment for Macbeth and his wife. The play shows how guilt can haunt and consume a person, and how conscience can be suppressed or ignored. Macbeth’s guilt manifests in his hallucinations of the dagger and Banquo’s ghost, and in his inability to sleep and pray. His conscience is overridden by his wife’s persuasion and his own rationalization. Lady Macbeth’s guilt emerges in her sleepwalking and her obsession with washing her hands. Her conscience is overwhelmed by her remorse and despair.
- Appearance and reality, the main sources of deception and confusion for Macbeth and others. The play shows how appearance can differ from or contradict reality, and how reality can be manipulated or distorted. The witches’ prophecies appear to be true, but they are also ambiguous and misleading. Macbeth and his wife appear to be loyal and hospitable, but they are actually treacherous and murderous. Macbeth’s castle appears to be safe and secure, but it is actually vulnerable and besieged.
- Blood and darkness, the main symbols of violence and evil in the play. The play shows how blood and darkness are associated with murder, guilt, and horror. Blood is a symbol of the life that Macbeth takes and the guilt that he feels. He sees blood on the dagger, on his hands, and on Banquo’s face. He says that his hands are “a sorry sight” and that “all great Neptune’s ocean” cannot wash them clean. Darkness is a symbol of the evil that Macbeth does and the chaos that he causes. He calls for darkness to hide his deeds, and he acts mostly at night. He says that “stars, hide your fires” and that “good things of day begin to droop and drowse”.
Some possible ways to continue the response are:
- The structure and style of the Elizabethan Tragedy Macbeth could include a discussion of the five-act structure, the use of soliloquies and asides, the role of the chorus, and the poetic devices and imagery used by Shakespeare.
- The historical and cultural context of Elizabethan Tragedy Macbeth, which could include a discussion of the political and religious situation in England and Scotland at the time, the influence of King James I, the patron of Shakespeare’s company, the relevance of the Gunpowder Plot, and the audience’s expectations and reactions to the play.
- The interpretation and adaptation of the Elizabethan Tragedy Macbeth, which could include a discussion of the different ways that the play has been performed, analyzed, and adapted over time, the various themes and issues that have been emphasized or explored, and the challenges and opportunities that the play offers to actors, directors, and critics.