One of the major themes in Macbeth that connects the play to Machiavelli is the concept of Appearance vs Reality; what something appears to be, and what something actually is. One of the major themes of the play supports this major theme; in Act 1, Scene 1, when the Weird Sisters have gathered for their first meaning. The second to last line says, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (1.1.10) This means that events or happenings that appear to be fair, just, or equal are actually the opposite of just that; and vice a versa of that, events that appear to be unfair, cruel, and unequal are actually, in reality, fair. Throughout the play, the characters don't know this fact, so you go through the story seeing characters experience things that would normally be seen as just things, but they're actually for the worse. Machiavelli quotes, "It's not essential that a prince have all good qualities, but it's most essential that he should seem to have them." In short, the appearance and what the Prince seems to believe in is more important than who your ruler actually is and what his true morals are; his appearance vs his reality.
2. Gender Roles
Everybody in our everyday lives stereotypes what the job of a man or a woman in society should be. Women are supposed to be the caring, frail, loving ones while the men are seen as the hardy, strong, brave ones in society. This are our assigned roles in society. In Macbeth, there is one instance where this isn't true. In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth receives a letter that Macbeth is about to arrive home, and that he has become Thane of Cawdor. In his letter, he explains the prophecy that the witches have told him and that he plans on killing King Duncan to fulfill his fate. Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is too kind of a person to murder somebody, so she asks the gods to "unsex" her, and to take all pity, fear, and cowardice out of her body, for she herself plans to kill the King. This part of the scene goes against the general stereotypes set upon women by society; Lady Macbeth, herself, is acting strong, bold and murderous. These characteristics don't usually fall into the gender role of a women.
3. Loyalty and Honor
Loyalty and honor are two traits that are highly respected in today's society, and were also highly respected in Shakespeare's time and the time in which his plays take place. In Macbeth, King Duncan states, "He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust." [Talking about the old Thane of Cawdor, who betrayed him in battle] (1.4.14-15). King Duncan had believed that the Thane of Cawdor was a loyal and honorable person, and trusted in him to follow his orders and respect the king. After all of this, the Thane did nothing but betray; but it isn't as simple as that. This is an instance of foreshadowing what is going to take place with the new Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth. Macbeth, who King Duncan currently trusts, believes in, and just gave two promotions to, is going to eventually betray him by murdering him in order to become king himself. This future event that is going to take place can be related to the Machiavelli quote, "The ends justify the means." Macbeth cares very little that he was just promoted, or that he is highly respected by the king; he will go by any means to get what he truly wants and what has been concluded as his destiny; to become king.
No comments:
Post a Comment