Book Review of ‘MACBETH’ by William Shakespeare
Widely known for his
distinguished contribution to English literature, William Shakespeare was and
continues to undoubtedly remain the ‘Greatest Playwright of all times’. As the author of some of the most notable
masterpieces of the Elizabethan Era, Shakespeare’s plays can be categorized
into tragedy, comedy and history.
This assignment consists of a review on one of his most popular works in the genre of tragedy titled ‘Macbeth’.
Written in 1606, Macbeth is a play
that revolves around the theme of ‘morality’.
Macbeth, the central figure throughout the play is first introduced to the audience as a brave and capable warrior, virtuous in character. However, once Macbeth comes across the three witches who revealed to him a phony prophecy, the plot gives way to a sudden unexpected turn of events. The prediction that he will soon become the King of Scotland brings him utmost joy but at the same time creates an inner turmoil. Macbeth is now driven by ambition with the advantage of possessing great physical courage. His virtuousness soon turns to deceit, when on the direction and pursuit of his wife, Lady Macbeth, together they commit a heinous crime of murdering the king inorder to usurp the throne. Macbeth, steadfast to his ambition of gaining absolute power and the guilt within him, he goes on a rampage to kill everyone he considers a threat to his power including his closest companion Duncan who was a witness of the prophecy and was assured that his lineage would also be heirs to the throne. As the events unfold, Macbeth is faced by an inner conflict wherein on one hand he is too ambitious and goes to extreme levels to secure the throne but is also too guilty to be happy as a murderer.
But as the
saying goes, ‘What goes around comes around’, Macbeth soon had to pay the
penalty for his own wicked deeds when the late king’s son Malcom and Macduff, a
nobleman decide to rescue Scotland from the hands of their tyrranist. As things
fall apart for him by the end of the play, Macbeth ultimately realizes how he
was fooled into deceit by the witches’ prophecy. By the end, the play takes a
full circle; it began with Macbeth being hailed for his victory on the
battlefield and ends with him being condemned and dying in combat.
The main themes highlighted throughout the text are ambition, deceit, selfishness, pride, greed and guilt. Shakespeare through this play speaks directly to his audience who fear treachery and where blood is shed for advantages. This play tactfully motivates its reader to introspect upon the very essence of morality and leaves them to differentiate between good and bad. In a historical sense, this play also throws light on the social conditions of women living in a patriarchal society through the character of Lady Macbeth.
Personally,
I would recommend this book to all especially the younger generations primarily
because this play plainly yet gradually unleashes the reality of the
consequences of greed and selfishness. Most importantly, it helps one realize
how one wrong act could lead to several wrong acts inorder to conceal theirfirst
wrong doing. To quote from the novel, “Thou marvel’st at my words; but hold thee
still. Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.” When translated in
simpler terms this quote indicates how bad deeds force you to commit more bad
deeds. Finally, this play sends out a strong message to its readers that it
takes ‘blood, sweat and tears’ to achieve something. On a positive note,
this play leaves the readers with a clear understanding of the two dimensions
of morality.
Reference: William Shakespeare, Macbeth.
Shakespeare, W. (1994). Macbeth. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
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