A review by thefussyreader
Macbeth by William Shakespeare

5.0

The quest continues, this time with a tragedy. I chose Macbeth this month for two reasons. Firstly, it seemed appropriate to read this at Halloween time due to the content (witches, murder, treachery, slow descend into madness - all that good stuff) and secondly, I watched this month the 2015 movie adaptation starring Michael Fassbender (what a visually stunning film that is) So with the story fresh in my mind, it seemed the obvious choice.

I first read Macbeth over ten years ago in English class and remember it being the only compulsory reading that I actually enjoyed. Back then I was intrigued by the dark tones and the air of mystery surrounding the witches, and the ghost of Banquo at the banquet. I think back then I took it literally. I actually believed that Macbeth was seeing ghosts that nobody else could see. Reading this now as an adult and actually comprehending it, I understand that there was no ghost, Macbeth was simply losing his mind.

'Full of scorpions is my mind'

I love that line. It perfectly encapsulates Macbeth's state of being. He is living the burden of his guilt and it's eating away at his mind slowly driving him to madness.

Another thing I found interesting having read it again; I noticed this time what a scheming, ambitious woman Lady Macbeth is. She's a forceful character, controlling, manipulative even. When Macbeth decides he can't possibly kill Duncan because the gracious king did him great honour by making him thane of Cawdor, Lady Macbeth - in so many word - tells him to man up and just do it, attempting to shame him into committing murder. Once the deed is then done she simply washes their hands of both blood and the situation.

'A little water clears us of this deed: How easy is it then?

In a way I pity Macbeth. He was once tempted by the prospect of being king but after some thought was content with what he had. He would not have done all that he had done if not for his wife. He is the one they call tyrant and is painted as a villain but in truth it is Lady Macbeth. He returned from a harsh battlefront and in her own ambition to make him king and herself queen, Lady M took advantage of his moment of weakness. She is absolutely to blame for everything that happened within this play, and what's more, she doesn't even care.

'My hands are of your colour; but I shame to wear a heart so white.'

It isn't until the end of the play when she does start to feel the weight of her crimes and this is shown through her sleep walking, so is she even consciously aware of her guilt? Does she feel the same level of shame when she's awake? She did kill herself, but whether this was from the guilt of her action or her grief at not having mothered a child (was she even able?) I really couldn't say.

Sure, Macbeth isn't innocent in this, but in a strange way I feel he is the victim of his wife's influence. Recalling some of the themes from the movie, I also believe Macbeth could have been suffering from post-traumatic stress, but of course back in Shakespeare's era there wasn't a name for such a disorder; it mostly likely was considered madness to them.
The atrocities of war can affect a man. Perhaps he simply didn't want the confrontation with his wife; found it easier to kill a man than defy Lady M? After all, he was well accustomed with killing by this point. Perhaps after all the fighting he did, he simply didn't have the will or strength of mind to fight Lady M as well, and instead crumbled to her every wicked whim?

When I factor in this possibility, I feel bloody sorry for Macbeth. I feel he is definitely a man badly affected by war and because of it, made some bad choices and allowed power to get the better of him.

Furthermore, my English teacher had always insisted that Lady M threw herself out the castle window. So strong was her belief that she even fondly referred to Lady M as a 'Pavement Artist.' For years I believed Lady M died jumping from a window but learn now that isn't the case. Her death isn't actually shown and so, I guess, left open to interpretation. Funny how differently people interpret things.

But that's what I enjoy most about Shakespeare's work; it can be dissected every which way and still there will be more to learn from it, more to consider, more to analyse; and every analysis will be different.