SHAKESPEARE PLAY

Shakespeare Play

Shakespeare Play

Introduction

After reading this climactic portion of Shakespeare's enticing play, Macbeth, I am filled with a plethora of different remarks and thoughts about several of the character's inner feelings and ambitions. It is not clear to the reader what the characters are actually expressing, but their feelings can be inferred from the surrounding text and the reader's basic understanding of all human nature.

Discussion

The main predicament that presented itself in this section was the three prophecies which the apparitions gave Macbeth. The first apparition was an armed head that warns Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife, namely, Macduff. The second apparition was a bloody child, who tells him that "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." Hearing this, Macbeth becomes reinforced, and states that he no longer needs to fear Macduff (Garber 2008 77).

The third apparition was a child wearing a crown, with a tree in its hand, who says that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." This cheers Macbeth even more; since he knows that nothing can move a forest. However, Macbeth now asks his last question; will Banquo's children ever rule Scotland? Will Macbeth's rule ever be ended? The apparitions tell contrasting details regarding Macbeth's continuing rule, yet I believe that from analyzing the text, it can be inferred that Macbeth's rule will eventually come to an end. For example, when the third apparition states, "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him," Macbeth is elated, for it is physically impossible to move the great forest to his castle. Thus, just as the witch's prophecies came true before, they consequently will come true again with the end of Macbeth's rule and the prosperity of Banquo's sons (Nagarajan 2006 371-376).

Furthermore, perhaps Macbeth actually wanted to kill Duncan to become king instead of just being pushed by Lady Macbeth to do so, for he also dreamt of an imaginary dagger (Coddon 1999 485-501). Now, he is hallucinating about having sons and a continuous line of kings, as portrayed by the line of eight kings and the three children in the apparitions.

I found that one of the most peculiar aspects of this section is regarding the motivation of Macduff's desertion of his family to go south to England. In my opinion, I believe that the reason for Macduff's abandonment ...