Lecture Notes: The Tragedy of Macbeth

Introduction

• The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1606.
• It explores the consequences of ambition, particularly in political structures.
• Written during King James I's reign, it reflects the uncertainties of having a Scottish king.

Political Context

• Shakespeare may have been warning against tyranny by depicting Macbeth's downfall as a tyrant.
• Source of the play is the Holinshed Chronicles.
• "Macbeth" is known as the "cursed play" in theatre circles, often called "The Scottish Play." Reasons include:
  • Belief that Shakespeare used real witches in its creation.
  • Negative portrayal of witches leading to a curse.
  • Historically replaced failing plays, seen as a bad omen.

Plot Overview

Act 1

• Opens with witches planning to meet Macbeth.
• Macbeth, a Scottish hero, wins a battle and is praised by King Duncan.
• Witches prophesy Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and king.
• Banquo learns he will father a line of kings.
• Macbeth begins to harbor ambitions.

Act 2

• Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill King Duncan.
• Plans to frame Duncan's guards.
• Macbeth hallucinates and kills Duncan.
• Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee, raising suspicions.

Act 3

• Macbeth becomes king, but is paranoid about Banquo's prophecy.
• Macbeth orders Banquo's murder; Banquo is killed, but his son Fleance escapes.
• Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth.

Act 4

• Macbeth seeks out the witches again.
• Receives ambiguous prophecies about his invulnerability.
• Orders the murder of Macduff’s family.

Act 5

• Lady Macbeth descends into madness and eventually dies.
• Malcolm's forces advance on Macbeth using Burnham Wood's branches.
• Macbeth fights but is defeated by Macduff, who was "not born of a woman" traditionally.
• Malcolm becomes king.

Characters

Macbeth

• Initially a courageous warrior and hero.
• Becomes tyrannical and paranoid due to ambition.
• Influenced heavily by Lady Macbeth.
• Experiences hallucinations and guilt.

Lady Macbeth

• Ambitious and manipulative, driving Macbeth to murder.
• Descent into madness leads to her suicide.

Banquo

• Macbeth’s friend, receives prophecy of his lineage being kings.
• Murdered by Macbeth’s order.

Macduff

• Nobleman suspicious of Macbeth.
• Family murdered by Macbeth.
• Kills Macbeth, fulfilling the witches’ prophecy.

Themes

• Ambition: Central theme highlighting its dangers and moral consequences.
• Fate vs. Free Will: Prophecies drive actions, question of destiny.
• Guilt and Conscience: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's psychological decline.
• The Supernatural: Influence of witches and visions.

Symbolism

• Blood: Represents guilt and murder.
• Visions/Hallucinations: Symbolize Macbeth's guilt and moral conflict.

Conclusion

• Macbeth’s ambition, coupled with manipulation and paranoia, leads to his downfall.
• Lady Macbeth's ambition also leads to her mental collapse.
• Shakespeare warns of unchecked ambition and moral corruption.