Macbeth: a Tale of Two Theories

Macbeth: A Tale of Two Theories

Macbeth(c.1607), written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of   Macbeth,
a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This tragedy could in fact be
called "A Tale of Two Theories". One theory suggests that the tragic hero,
Macbeth, is led down an unescapable road of doom by an outside force, namely
fate in the form of the three witches.   The second suggests that there is no
supernatural force working against Macbeth, which therefore makes him
responsible for his own actions and inevitable downfall.   It must be remembered
that Macbethis a literary work of art, and as a piece
of art is open to many
different interpretations, none of them right and none of them wrong. But the
text of the play seems to imply that Macbeth is indeed responsible for his own
actions which are provoked by an unwillingness to listen to his own conscience,
the witches, and his ambition.

First, Macbeth ignores the voice of his own psyche. He knows what he is doing is
wrong even before he murders Duncan, but he allows Lady Macbeth and greed to
cloud his judgement. In referring to the idea of the murder of Duncan, Macbeth
first states,"We will proceed no further in this business"(I.vii.32). Yet,
after speaking with Lady Macbeth he recants and proclaims,"I am settled, and
bend up/Each corporal agent to this terrible feat"(I.vii.7980). There is
nothing supernatural to be found in a man being swayed by the woman he loves,
as a matter of fact this action could be perceived as quite the opposite.

Second, the witches have to be dispelled as a source of Macbeth's misfortune
before the latter theory can be considered. It is admittedly strange that the
weird sisters first address Macbeth with,"All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee Thane
of Cawdor!"(I.iii.49), a title which not even Macbeth is aware he has been
awarded. Even stranger is the third witch calling to Macbeth,"All hail, Macbeth,
that shalt be king hereafter!"(I.iii.50). However as stated by Bradley,"No... [continues]

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