MacBeth
by William Shakespeare
Partial information: Some Views on Macbeth
by Tara Vodihn
One of the most striking and vivid things in Shakespeare's Macbeth is the ever-present aura of dark and supernatural elements that permeates the play and contrast with the clear and natural elements of morality, decent conduct, human and civil obedience and divine law.
The play begins with a storm and the sight of three witches on a heath. Already, there is a disturbance in nature, which generally means - in Shakespeare's dramatic world - a disturbance in the human world as well. The witches reveal themselves to Macbeth and Banquo: soldiers who are victoriously returning from battle. At this point in the play Macbeth is no different than any other officer who has been defending King Duncan and his homeland, other than the fact that he has distinguished himself in the battlefield as a fierce warrior. He is nicknamed Bellona's Bridegroom (married to the pagan goddess of war).
The weird sisters proclaim that the issueless Macbeth will be named Thane of Cawdor and then crowned King. However, it is the prolific Banquo who will be the father of Kings. On hearing this both men are skeptical. Messengers arrive announcing that Macbeth has indeed become Thane of Cawdor. The first part of the prophecy has been fulfilled without Macbeth having taken any direct action. The seed has been planted and Macbeth begins to wonder if the throne will come to him, or if he will have to go after it.
Macbeth is a man who is a loyal and battle-worn returning soldier who has been fighting for Scotland. Within the next few hours he will brutally murder in cold blood the very same King to whom he has sworn loyalty as the old sovereign sleeps. What is far more frightening than supernaturally stormy weather or hideous witches is the fact that, until he hears the prophecy, Macbeth could be like any one of us. Yet it cannot be argued that the compelling power of the prophecy is the only thing that drives him and his wife to commit regicide. There is the will to act.
And, indeed, later that evening Macbeth notes that there is nothing forcing him to kill King Duncan other than his own all-consuming ambition. Macbeth is sound of mind and knows the difference between right and wrong, and almost convinces himself, it seems, not to harm Duncan:
"...Besides this Duncan
Hath born his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued against
The deep damnation of his taking-off"
Banquo has also received from the witches a prophecy that could lead him to murder Malcolm - King Duncan's heir - if he chose to try and fulfill it by his own actions. But he does not, as he serves the dramatic function of moral counterpoint and balance to Macbeth, showing us that there exists no evil spell cast by any witches that drives anyone who hears their prophecies to horrific crimes, no matter how favorable the advantage. Banquo even questions the motives behind their predictions at the onset, saying:
"Thus often-times to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths
And thus win us with these honest trifles
To betray us in deepest consequence."
Even though there is a crack in the world - as evidenced by the strange weather, the bizarre behavior of animals, the presence of witches and ghosts, and many other external elements - all of the magic in the play is not that of external forces manipulating men, but the psychological magic of conveying information to men through prophecies. This partial knowledge drives Macbeth to act in a manner that fulfills the prophecies that are favorable to him and later to try to change those that are not.
When the witches and Macbeth meet again, they predict that Macbeth should beware Macduff but that he is safe 'til Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. A second prediction adds that no man born of woman can harm Macbeth. Macbeth then commits more murders - he's already dispatched Duncan, Banquo, and countless other political enemies not even mentioned in the text - trying to keep himself safe and a potentially and mortal enemy at bay by murdering Macduff's entire family and household: wife, children, servants. This, of course, seals Macbeth's fate even while it lulls him into a false sense of security, as he continues to believe that the other two prophecies can never be fulfilled, now that Macduff's children are dead. But Macduff is safe in England and he sharpens his avenging sword
Macbeth has relevance to our current day and age, and that relevance comes from the way the play assures us that information - whether it is coming from political leaders or from witches - should be thoroughly questioned. Sometimes that information is truthful and accurate yet still needs careful consideration before we can take action. Other times, by showing us the image of people toppling down their leaders and not showing us the flag draped coffins of our dead soldiers coming home, we are being given some but not all of the information.
In this day and age, there are perhaps no witches lurking on the heath to give us riddles and prophecies. But we do have more information than ever before. However, is it enough? That question can only be answered by looking at who controls the information, whether or not it is complete, and asking what action such information prompts us to take. If we don't follow this complex and intense process of evaluation of information, then life becomes "a tale told by and idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
Tara Vodihn is an actress and New Theatre's Literary Manager.
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