Macbeth: Macbeth: No One Mourns the WickedNo One Mourns the Wicked

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30 October 201430 October 2014

Although it’s been made famous by them, Although it’s been made famous by them, there’s far more to there’s far more to MacbethMacbeth than the curses. than the curses.

The play is steeped in historical details, The play is steeped in historical details, although those details were often perverted although those details were often perverted and skewed for a variety of reasons. and skewed for a variety of reasons.

Its language is recognizable to anyone Its language is recognizable to anyone who’s previously studied Shakespearean who’s previously studied Shakespearean works, yet it clearly distinguishes itself from works, yet it clearly distinguishes itself from his other works in both tone and form. his other works in both tone and form.

Its characters follow archetypal patterns, Its characters follow archetypal patterns, then shatter them: there’s far more to the then shatter them: there’s far more to the heroes and villains of this play than originally heroes and villains of this play than originally meets the eye. meets the eye.

Its themes resonate in similar fashion. Its themes resonate in similar fashion. This all makes for a play that’s very easily This all makes for a play that’s very easily

summarized yet very difficult to explain.summarized yet very difficult to explain.

MacbethMacbeth belongs to that wonderful belongs to that wonderful group of stories that, like group of stories that, like BeowulfBeowulf (whose (whose lone copy caught fire before we had lone copy caught fire before we had finished translating it) or finished translating it) or The AeneidThe Aeneid (whose author, Virgil, was so dissatisfied (whose author, Virgil, was so dissatisfied with the final work that he pitched his with the final work that he pitched his manuscript into a fire himself), we’re manuscript into a fire himself), we’re lucky to still have around. lucky to still have around.

But unlike the others, it wasn’t fire-But unlike the others, it wasn’t fire-damaged (although, as you have seen, damaged (although, as you have seen, some of the Macbeth actors have been). some of the Macbeth actors have been).

Instead, its preservation marks a Instead, its preservation marks a stroke of luck – for this play, as well as stroke of luck – for this play, as well as many of Shakespeare’s other works, many of Shakespeare’s other works, wasn’t really meant to be published. wasn’t really meant to be published.

Unlike you contemporary scholars, Unlike you contemporary scholars, Elizabethans didn’t typically read plays as Elizabethans didn’t typically read plays as literature; in fact, plays weren’t considered literature; in fact, plays weren’t considered particularly good reading material. particularly good reading material.

Instead, scripts were written as quickly Instead, scripts were written as quickly as possible – sometimes by multiple writers as possible – sometimes by multiple writers working in concert – and tossed aside once working in concert – and tossed aside once the original production run concluded. the original production run concluded.

There wasn’t a great deal of profit to be There wasn’t a great deal of profit to be made by printing (a process that took much made by printing (a process that took much longer back them) more copies of the script longer back them) more copies of the script than the actors needed in advance. than the actors needed in advance.

Theatres occasionally provided Theatres occasionally provided audiences with quickly-written reproductions audiences with quickly-written reproductions of the performance, but you can imagine the of the performance, but you can imagine the variations that would result over the course variations that would result over the course of the transcription! of the transcription!

When Shakespeare’s plays were When Shakespeare’s plays were published, they appeared in a variety of published, they appeared in a variety of forms. forms.

Fourteen of the plays we now credit Fourteen of the plays we now credit to Shakespeare were printed in Quarto to Shakespeare were printed in Quarto (17x21 cm) volumes, although not all of (17x21 cm) volumes, although not all of them had his name on them. them had his name on them.

The ones that did were probably The ones that did were probably copies provided by the theater, while the copies provided by the theater, while the ones that didn’t were probably “pirated” ones that didn’t were probably “pirated” copies (yes, intellectual piracy existed copies (yes, intellectual piracy existed back then) or actors’ copies that the back then) or actors’ copies that the players sold once the production had players sold once the production had finished. finished.

While the number of plays While the number of plays Shakespeare wrote will probably always Shakespeare wrote will probably always be the subject of debate, a rough be the subject of debate, a rough estimate places his total output at estimate places his total output at thirty-six to thirty-eight plays. thirty-six to thirty-eight plays.

We have John Heminge and Henry We have John Heminge and Henry Condell to thank for preserving as much Condell to thank for preserving as much of Shakespeare’s legacy as possible.of Shakespeare’s legacy as possible.

Shakespeare passed away in 1616. Shakespeare passed away in 1616. Seven years later, Heminge and Seven years later, Heminge and

Condell compiled a collection of thirty-Condell compiled a collection of thirty-six Shakespeare plays – theoretically six Shakespeare plays – theoretically working from his original manuscripts – working from his original manuscripts – in a Folio edition. in a Folio edition.

Unlike a Quarto, the Folio edition Unlike a Quarto, the Folio edition was 21x34cm, which looks much more was 21x34cm, which looks much more similar to the books we read today similar to the books we read today (albeit a bit bigger – closer to a coffee-(albeit a bit bigger – closer to a coffee-table book than anything else).table book than anything else).

Sounds awesome, right?Sounds awesome, right? The only problem? The Folio volumes The only problem? The Folio volumes

didn’t always match one another. didn’t always match one another. Some versions contained different Some versions contained different

stage directions; others contained stage directions; others contained different scene divisions. different scene divisions.

For that matter, your Folger edition For that matter, your Folger edition contains a scene between the witches and contains a scene between the witches and Hecate that I can’t ever remember reading Hecate that I can’t ever remember reading in high school, and (according to many in high school, and (according to many critics) probably wasn’t even written by critics) probably wasn’t even written by Shakespeare.Shakespeare.

In short, what you’re reading In short, what you’re reading isn’t a precise copy of Shakespeare’s isn’t a precise copy of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.Macbeth.

It’s been supplemented and It’s been supplemented and altered by editorial guesswork, altered by editorial guesswork, printing mishaps, and educated printing mishaps, and educated research. research.

But we’re lucky to have what we But we’re lucky to have what we have: Shakespeare’s original intent have: Shakespeare’s original intent and thematic focus has remained and thematic focus has remained consistent throughout the various consistent throughout the various editions of editions of Macbeth,Macbeth, and even if it’s and even if it’s not the original work, you’re still not the original work, you’re still holding a masterpiece in your hands. holding a masterpiece in your hands.

MacbethMacbeth is often cited as a prime is often cited as a prime example of “tragedy” (the word’s in example of “tragedy” (the word’s in the title!), although it doesn’t always the title!), although it doesn’t always adhere to classic tragic structures. adhere to classic tragic structures.

Like all good tragedies, its central Like all good tragedies, its central character is strong, compelling, and character is strong, compelling, and fatally flawed. fatally flawed.

The story revolves around serious The story revolves around serious topics “of a certain magnitude” topics “of a certain magnitude” (justice, choice, revenge, guilt), with (justice, choice, revenge, guilt), with countries at war and families countries at war and families exterminated. exterminated.

The action itself is complete, with The action itself is complete, with a clearly defined beginning, middle, a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end (although some interesting and end (although some interesting unfinished business pops up in the unfinished business pops up in the last sequence); unlike classical Greek last sequence); unlike classical Greek tragedies, the action’s spread out tragedies, the action’s spread out over the course of many days. over the course of many days.

These events follow the “cause-These events follow the “cause-and-effect” mechanism – in fact, it’s and-effect” mechanism – in fact, it’s important to note that none of the important to note that none of the action in action in MacbethMacbeth is random – and is random – and inspire many reactions: surprise, fear, inspire many reactions: surprise, fear, revulsion, anger, even pity. revulsion, anger, even pity.

That said, all of the events That said, all of the events seemingly spiral from a single seemingly spiral from a single choice. choice.

The play clearly shows “what The play clearly shows “what kind of things a man chooses or kind of things a man chooses or avoids” – both, in fact. avoids” – both, in fact.

The events can be complicated: The events can be complicated: fortunes are reversed, then re-fortunes are reversed, then re-reversed (versed?); plans are reversed (versed?); plans are outlined, set in motion, and outlined, set in motion, and eventually complicated and eventually complicated and unraveled.unraveled.

Characters make choices based Characters make choices based on what they understand to be their on what they understand to be their motives, but they don’t always motives, but they don’t always correctly identify those motives.correctly identify those motives.

There are terrible moments of There are terrible moments of recognition and clarity in which the recognition and clarity in which the characters, like divers coming up for characters, like divers coming up for air, rise above the sound and fury air, rise above the sound and fury filling their lives and see things for filling their lives and see things for what they truly are. what they truly are.

As for the man at the center of it As for the man at the center of it all, Macbeth makes for a most all, Macbeth makes for a most difficult study. difficult study.

We can see a clear difference We can see a clear difference between the man we meet at play’s between the man we meet at play’s outset and the man he ultimately outset and the man he ultimately becomes, but the reasons for that becomes, but the reasons for that change are complicated. change are complicated.

It’s not accurate to say he’s It’s not accurate to say he’s wholly good at the beginning of the wholly good at the beginning of the play, but it’s hard to justify an play, but it’s hard to justify an interpretation that paints him as interpretation that paints him as wholly evil.wholly evil.

You’ve read Gladwell’s piece on the You’ve read Gladwell’s piece on the complicated nature of human “goodness,” complicated nature of human “goodness,” particularly as it relates to our sensitivity to particularly as it relates to our sensitivity to environmental and situational factors; as a environmental and situational factors; as a character, Macbeth reads like the sum total of character, Macbeth reads like the sum total of every point Gladwell raises, and his every point Gladwell raises, and his motivations consequently defy easy analysis. motivations consequently defy easy analysis.

Similarly, we see in him the same Similarly, we see in him the same relationship between suffering and desire that relationship between suffering and desire that Hesse explored in Hesse explored in Siddhartha.Siddhartha.

At the same time, At the same time, MacbethMacbeth isn’t a simple isn’t a simple rehashing of old SFHP ideas, nor are any of the rehashing of old SFHP ideas, nor are any of the other characters (with their own motives, other characters (with their own motives, flaws, and choices)flaws, and choices)

In fascinating, sometimes terrible ways, it In fascinating, sometimes terrible ways, it – and they – represent something entirely new. – and they – represent something entirely new.

I asked you two questions earlier I asked you two questions earlier today. today.

First, I asked you whether it was First, I asked you whether it was better to trust others (believing in better to trust others (believing in the basic goodness of your fellow the basic goodness of your fellow man) or to remain distrustful. man) or to remain distrustful. (“Skeptical” is perhaps a better (“Skeptical” is perhaps a better word, but “distrust” pertains more word, but “distrust” pertains more readily to readily to Macbeth.Macbeth.))

Secondly, I asked you whether Secondly, I asked you whether we should place limits on what we’re we should place limits on what we’re willing to do in order to preserve and willing to do in order to preserve and protect what we cherish – a family protect what we cherish – a family system, a way of life, etc. system, a way of life, etc.

On the face of it, that second On the face of it, that second question seems to pertain more closely question seems to pertain more closely to to In the Pale MoonlightIn the Pale Moonlight than to than to Macbeth.Macbeth.

Ben Sisko doesn’t end up setting up Ben Sisko doesn’t end up setting up Vreenak for assassination (a word Vreenak for assassination (a word Shakespeare invented for this play, Shakespeare invented for this play, believe it or not) to satisfy his personal believe it or not) to satisfy his personal ambitions, nor to attempt acting in ambitions, nor to attempt acting in accordance with prophecy or divine will.accordance with prophecy or divine will.

(At first blush, those seem to be (At first blush, those seem to be perfectly acceptable explanations for perfectly acceptable explanations for what Macbeth does.)what Macbeth does.)

Sisko’s intentions are noble, and in Sisko’s intentions are noble, and in your last Baseline, most of you indicated your last Baseline, most of you indicated that intentions mattered a great deal. that intentions mattered a great deal.

So what if he handed massive So what if he handed massive quantities of the 24th-century equivalent quantities of the 24th-century equivalent of anthrax and mustard gas to some of anthrax and mustard gas to some anonymous individual with bad intentions anonymous individual with bad intentions – one who remains outside the purview of – one who remains outside the purview of the authorities Sisko answers to? the authorities Sisko answers to?

Sisko’s acting in the service of the Sisko’s acting in the service of the greater good; he’s thinking of other greater good; he’s thinking of other people (just not the people that person people (just not the people that person will probably kill or harm).will probably kill or harm).

And even Garak, who intentionally And even Garak, who intentionally murders an innocent man – for this is a murders an innocent man – for this is a case of liars slaughtering those who would case of liars slaughtering those who would unmask them – gets let off the hook.unmask them – gets let off the hook.

Because of them, the “good Because of them, the “good guys” will live to fight another day. guys” will live to fight another day.

(One wonders what will be left of (One wonders what will be left of the Federation they’re defending; if the Federation they’re defending; if you become what you despise in you become what you despise in order to survive, can you really claim order to survive, can you really claim to have survived – to have won?) to have survived – to have won?)

For now, we comfort ourselves For now, we comfort ourselves with the simple conclusion: Sisko with the simple conclusion: Sisko wins one for the good guys, wins one for the good guys, sacrificing his conscience and values sacrificing his conscience and values in order to keep some names off the in order to keep some names off the future casualty reports.future casualty reports.

Yes, Ben does terrible things, Yes, Ben does terrible things, but we see those things as sacrifices but we see those things as sacrifices – not villainy – because we can tell – not villainy – because we can tell he’s not proud of what he’s done.he’s not proud of what he’s done.

He takes no personal pleasure in He takes no personal pleasure in his success; he’s a his success; he’s a goodgood man who man who has has goodgood reasons to do what we reasons to do what we watched him do.watched him do.

(This, not coincidentally, is why (This, not coincidentally, is why so many student-written stories are so many student-written stories are terrible – rarely do the young terrible – rarely do the young authors give their characters authors give their characters legitimate, defensible, legitimate, defensible, goodgood reasons reasons for doing bad things in them.)for doing bad things in them.)

Now, what Macbeth aims to do – kill a Now, what Macbeth aims to do – kill a king who trusts him, then take his place – king who trusts him, then take his place – seems far more vile because, even though seems far more vile because, even though far fewer people will die as a result of his far fewer people will die as a result of his actions, his intentions are so much worse actions, his intentions are so much worse than Sisko’s or Garak’s.than Sisko’s or Garak’s.

They’re selfish and self-serving.They’re selfish and self-serving.

But if we stop to think about them, But if we stop to think about them, his intentions seem as confusing as they his intentions seem as confusing as they initially seemed simple. initially seemed simple.

Why does he Why does he want want to be king?to be king?

Because Macbeth Because Macbeth doesdoes want to be want to be king…king…

……Right?Right?

Well, as it so happens…Well, as it so happens… For someone who wants to rule For someone who wants to rule

badly enough to kill his friend in the badly enough to kill his friend in the process, Macbeth seems to need a process, Macbeth seems to need a lot of convincing. lot of convincing.

He decides to abandon the He decides to abandon the “venture” three times before we “venture” three times before we even hit the midpoint of Act II! even hit the midpoint of Act II!

That indecisiveness indicates a That indecisiveness indicates a number of things, but we have to number of things, but we have to look pretty hard to figure out what it look pretty hard to figure out what it indicates. indicates.

In order to do so, readers need In order to do so, readers need to be aware of several things. to be aware of several things.

Firstly, as I mentioned before, Firstly, as I mentioned before, MacbethMacbeth is based somewhat loosely is based somewhat loosely on historical events. on historical events.

Macbeth really existed, albeit Macbeth really existed, albeit five centuries before Shakespeare’s five centuries before Shakespeare’s play was finished. play was finished.

So did Lady Macbeth, his…So did Lady Macbeth, his…memorable…wife; Duncan, his king; memorable…wife; Duncan, his king; and Banquo, his closest friend. and Banquo, his closest friend.

But everything’s mixed up from But everything’s mixed up from a historical standpoint. a historical standpoint.

In real life, Duncan was a deeply ineffective, In real life, Duncan was a deeply ineffective, almost tyrannical ruler; in the play, Duncan is (at almost tyrannical ruler; in the play, Duncan is (at first blush) the picture of kind, wise benevolence, first blush) the picture of kind, wise benevolence, the sort of figure only someone truly hateful the sort of figure only someone truly hateful could betray. could betray.

In the play, Lady Macbeth dominates the In the play, Lady Macbeth dominates the early proceedings, seemingly controlling early proceedings, seemingly controlling everything through a deadly combination of everything through a deadly combination of manipulative skill and force of will; in real life, manipulative skill and force of will; in real life, Lady Macbeth played no such role, and her part Lady Macbeth played no such role, and her part in the play comes from a fusion of two other in the play comes from a fusion of two other historical figures. historical figures.

And in real life, many men conspired to And in real life, many men conspired to murder Duncan and seize the Scottish throne, murder Duncan and seize the Scottish throne, including Banquo; Macbeth was merely the including Banquo; Macbeth was merely the person they placed on the throne. person they placed on the throne.

Yet in the play, Banquo is virtuous, noble, Yet in the play, Banquo is virtuous, noble, and loyal to a fault. and loyal to a fault.

Why so many changes? Why so many changes?

Why base a play on historical Why base a play on historical events if you refuse to play by their events if you refuse to play by their rules? rules?

Consider the audience for Consider the audience for Shakespeare’s play. Shakespeare’s play.

MacbethMacbeth is often called the is often called the “Scottish play.” “Scottish play.”

You may not have noticed, but You may not have noticed, but Shakespeare isn’t Scottish. Shakespeare isn’t Scottish.

His new king, however, His new king, however, was.was.

King James VI of Scotland became the King James VI of Scotland became the first Scottish king of England (James I) in first Scottish king of England (James I) in 1603, and in order to please his new 1603, and in order to please his new patron, Shakespeare tried writing a play patron, Shakespeare tried writing a play that would directly appeal to him. that would directly appeal to him.

This was more difficult than it sounds; This was more difficult than it sounds; James tended to fall asleep during plays, James tended to fall asleep during plays, so Shakespeare had an uphill battle ahead so Shakespeare had an uphill battle ahead of him. of him.

By tying it to Scottish history – By tying it to Scottish history – specifically, to one of the more compelling specifically, to one of the more compelling incidents in Raphael Holinshed’s incidents in Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles,Chronicles, which Shakespeare borrowed which Shakespeare borrowed heavily from – the playwright hoped to heavily from – the playwright hoped to capture the new king’s interest. capture the new king’s interest.

More importantly, however, More importantly, however, James believed he was the direct James believed he was the direct descendent of one of the play’s descendent of one of the play’s major figures. major figures.

Specifically, he believed his Specifically, he believed his line originated with…wait for it…line originated with…wait for it…

Banquo. Banquo.

It wouldn’t do to give the king It wouldn’t do to give the king a performance that showed his a performance that showed his ancestor in less than a positive ancestor in less than a positive light, even in the name of light, even in the name of historical accuracy. historical accuracy.

So the roles are switched So the roles are switched around: Duncan becomes the Good around: Duncan becomes the Good King of Scotland; Banquo becomes King of Scotland; Banquo becomes the Heroic Defender of Virtue, the Heroic Defender of Virtue, Resisting All Temptation; and the Resisting All Temptation; and the Macbeths become the villains, even Macbeths become the villains, even though they’re far more complex though they’re far more complex than the simple term implies. than the simple term implies.

(Shakespeare may have been (Shakespeare may have been counting on James’s inability to counting on James’s inability to notice such subtleties…) notice such subtleties…)

And with that, we are ready to And with that, we are ready to begin in earnest…so follow me begin in earnest…so follow me down!down!