The Cray Cray Scottish Play Play
By: Breanne Blankenship
Who´s to Blame for Macbeth's Downfall?
Manliness, power, greed; all these characteristics add up to Macbeth being the loyal subject to the one who ruins it all. Ultimately, Macbeth is responsible for his own destruction because he listened to all the wrong people and did all the wrong things. It all starts when 3 witches tell Macbeth, "Second Witch: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! Third Witch: All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter! " (Act 1, sc. 3, In. 52-57). By telling Macbeth that these good things would happen to him, he felt that he had to make them happen, not just letting them happen by themselves. Readers may conclude that Macbeth always wanted to have more power but the witches just pushed him to do whatever he could to get it. Maybe Macbeth isn't all bad because he doesn't want to kill Duncan, but Lady Macbeth blames him of breaking "this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man.” (Act 1, sc. 7, 54-58). Because Macbeth decides that he doesn't want King Duncan, Lady Macbeth implies that he is not a man because he broke his promise, also because he won't kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth to kill Duncan so that he can prove to her that he is a man. Also, in the Macbeth family, Lady Macbeth wears the pants. If Macbeth didn't listen to his wife, may people would not have died. Although Macbeth had some bad influences on his decisions and actions, he ultimately is responsible for his own actions. In order to become king Macbeth believes that a, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know" (Act 1, sc. 7, 95). When Macbeth decides he will kill Duncan and become king, he implies that a honest face must hide what a black heart filled with evil and ambition truly desires.
Literary Devices
Foil- Banquo vs Macbeth
Friendship and loyalty were one of the many things Macbeth shattered on his way to the throne. Banquo's prophesy from the witches are, "First Witch: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Second Witch: Not so happy, yet much happier. Third Witch: Thou shalt get kings; though thou be none" (Act 1, sc. 3, In 73-75). Instead of taking the witches prophecies into his own hands, Banquo believed that if the witches were speaking the truth, his prophecy would work by themselves. Because Macbeth felt that Banquo could be a threat, he planned and pursued his murder. Macbeth and Banquo had different opinions on the prophesy and handled them differently, but in the end; both of them paid the ultimate price.
Verbal Irony- Duncan Must Die
When Lady Macbeth receives the news that King Duncan is coming to their home, she already has plans for Duncan's downfall and Macbeth's rise to the throne; murder. To fulfill her plan to power, “He that’s coming
Must be provided for” (Act 1, sc. 5, In. 77-78).
Lady Macbeth can be understood on two levels: she is referring to her duties as a hostess, but she is also saying that arrangements must be made to murder Duncan. The messenger in this scene does not know of the awful plan that Lady Macbeth has in store and most likely thinks she is planning to be a wonderful hostess for the beloved king.