Macbeth- William Shakespeare

Macbeth

This novel dramatizes the story of an Scottish general called Macbeth who had an unexpected encounter with three witches that made a prophecy about his future. His destiny is about to change just at the moment he gets to know that he is going to be the king of Cawdor; but, how is this possible if the current king of Cawdor is still alive? 

Themes in Macbeth

The most notable theme in this novel is certainly ambition. Macbeth is a man that would do anything in order to get the throne and fulfill his desires and aspirations, even though his personality and values make him regret his crimes, he continues doing such crimes but at the end he is not capable to bear the consequences of his acts. Similarly, Lady Macbeth is a highly ambitious woman who shows everyone her strength and her ability to control the relationship between her and Macbeth. As his husband, she aspires to have power and position in the throne. At the beginning of the play, she shows as the evil character that would commit atrocities or make others commit crimes just to assuage her desires and temptations. 

Furthermore, the relationship between these two characters could also be another theme, because they constantly show their love in an unique and cruel way*. They are presented as being in love and they commit crimes together. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth's behavior, making him commit acts he hadn't planned, therefore, he seems insecure to act for himself. 
*Cruel because they are in a constant fight of who is in charge of the relationship. Also, Lady Macbeth constantly bothers his husband by questioning his manhood and skills he doesn't have. 

Between these two characters exists a noticeable exchange of personalities as the play progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Lady Macbeth seems to be really firm because of the decisions she made and how she command over others.
Macbeth may have the idea of committing the crime on his mind, but there's something missing that will force him to commit the atrocities, this is where Lady Macbeth has an important role, because she's the one that impulses his husband to act in such way.

Lady Macbeth's behavior can be exemplified in the next quote (Act I, scene 5):

Lady Macbeth: 

"The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood,
Stop up th’access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
Th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry ‘Hold, hold!’"

We can infer from this quote that Lady Macbeth would have commited murder in order to have power and position in the throne. This speech demonstrates the audience that she is the engine behind every decision that Macbeth makes. Because of the first impression, we can easily say that the ambitious one is Lady Macbeth. I believe that both are ambitious because Lady Macbeth manipulates his husband, but in some way Macbeth's ambitiousness makes presence because if he had not wanted to make such acts, he would deny to do them, but there was something inside him telling him that he must do such atrocities (his ambition). So, I can conclude that both committed the crimes together, it wasn't just about Lady Macbeth's manipulation over his husband.

 

 

What I have liked by far about Macbeth, is that is kinda based on the life of James I. Also that it shows how karma interferes in the story, making the criminals regret for their actions. Another interesting aspect is the presence of Lady Macbeth; she is not the stereotypical woman that is manipulated by his husband, conversely, she shows in a certain way, the strength of women in relationships. I really like the way ambitiousness is exemplified in this novel and what can the man do to fulfill his desires.

The only thing I don't like about Macbeth is that is written as a play. I understand that it was the main purpose for it, but I would have liked it better if it wasn't written like that. 

"Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the weird women promised, and I fear

Thou pay'dst most foully for't"

-Alone, Banquo reflects on Macbeth's rise to the throne.