In the opening scene, we learn that the brave Macbeth, with Banquo by his side, has defeated an invasion by the Norwegian army. The Thane of Cawdor, who sided with the Norwegians and betrayed his
king, is sentenced to death. His title has been bestowed upon the noble Macbeth. What the Thane of Cawdor has lost, Macbeth has won, the king is quoted as saying. The image of Macbeth that is portrayed (by the playwright) is that of a courageous warrior and righteous man, whose loyalty to king and country is questioned by none.
Enter the three witches. Fair is foul, and foul is fair, they intone. And brew a potion to match their words. They hail Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor, who shall be king thereafter. Macbeth is taken aback, and fearful of their prophecy, for perhaps they have touched upon a concealed
ambition in his heart. Banquo cautions Macbeth that the instruments of darkness beguile us with honest trifles, only to lead us to greater harm. Macbeth seems to agree, for he muses that if fate wants him to be king, then fate will crown him without him having to do anything.
Enter Lady Macbeth. Who is perhaps the most maligned of Shakespeare’s
cast of immortal
characters. Her ambition (to be Queen) has been awakened, her ambition will not wait. Macbeth decides to stand by his king, for the honours he has won are not such to be cast aside so easily or so soon. In his own words, he would be inhuman to betray his duties as kinsman and host. But Lady Macbeth is not to be turned aside from the path she has chosen. Instead of being convinced by Macbeth’s reasoned arguments, she succeeds in persuading him instead…
After the king is murdered in his sleep, the kings two sons (Malcolm and Donaldbain) flee for their lives. Macbeth, being next in line of succession, is crowned king of Scotland. And the prophecy is fulfilled – though perhaps not in the manner that he would have imagined.
Unfulfilled ambition is one of the most powerful (and disturbing) of human emotions. Though the story of Macbeth is set in medieval Scotland, it could have taken place anywhere in the world. For Shakespearan plays deal with human nature, and its failings. This is a feauture that accounts for both the enduring popularity, as well as the universality, of Shakespearan drama.
Macbeth also illustrates another interesting feature of Shakespearan drama – the
conflict that the dramatist highlights is not just the external conflict between characters. It is also the inner conflict within the lead characters that defines the action, and helps to shape the contours of the play.
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