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Macbeth Essay By Scott Nowak Equivocation is a dangerous tool in the hands of evil. It s powerful force can result in severe consequences, as seen in the tragic end of Macbeth and many other examples during the time of Shakespeare and after. The concept of equivocation has been present in our society since the beginning of man in the garden of Eden. The Devil himself was the first to use equivocation, creating one of the purest forms of deceitful evil. Eve fell victim to equivocation as she accepted the forbidden fruit offered to her by the Devil, who claimed that no harm will come to her, and that God does not want her to eat it because it will make her as intelligent as God. This is the first use of many of equivocation.
A more recent example of the use of evil in equivocation is seen in Shakespeare s Macbeth. Some say that the play is entirely based on equivocation and leads the downfall of King Macbeth. Along with other themes portrayed throughout the play we see that one theme in particular is dominant. In Macbeth, equivocation is a persistent theme. We see that the theme of equivocation is most persistent in three of the main characters throughout the play.
Equivocation is dominantly present in the characters of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the three Witches. (The characters of the three Witches will be referred to as one character due to the similarity to one another and for the purpose of this essay. ) The character of Macbeth uses equivocation persistently throughout the play. Through all accounts of Macbeth s equivocal comments and speeches, he uses equivocation as a device to better his royal status and ultimately ascend to the throne. We see through the deterioration of Macbeth s character throughout the play that he must lie in order to cover up his previous lies and wrong doings. We see that equivocation can be almost addicting as it is somewhat an escape from reality and the consequences of one s actions. This being the account of Macbeth s downfall, and as it begins with his first lie, it never ceases. He tells the observers at Duncan s murder scene: Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time; for from this instant there s nothing serious in mortality: all is but toys.
Renown and grace is dead, the wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees is left this vault to brag of. (II, ii, 93 - 98) This being Macbeth s first of many lies, we see that he is a very proficient liar in the beginning of the play. Although his performance is somewhat melodramatic and has a slightly insolent ring to it, it is nevertheless believed by the observing patrons. As the play progresses, so does the equivocal Macbeth. With one murder under his belt and moral conscious, Macbeth does not have a problem with killing again.
Only this time he will take the life of his once trusted friend, Banquo. For this murder Macbeth has decided to hire someone to perform the bloody task for him. With the use of equivocation, Macbeth convinces the hired murderers that Banquo is evil. He asks the murderers: Well then, now have you considered of my speeches? Know that it was he in the times past, which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference; passed in probation with you, how you were born in hand, how crossed; the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might to half a soul and to a notion crazed say Thus did Banquo. (III, i, 75 - 83) Macbeth is now capable of lying to anyone as he tells the murderers that Banquo is evil, and has been so directly to the murderers. Macbeth being an accomplished liar, he does not realize that with all his lies he has to make to cover up the mistakes and things he has done, he is only really doing himself harm.
He has become such as good liar that he begins to deceive even himself. He tells himself: The spirits that know all mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: Fear not, Macbeth; no man that s born of woman shall e er have power upon thee. Then fly, false thanes, and mingle with the English epicures. (V, iii, 4 - 8) Nearing the commence of the play, Macbeth slides deeper down a spiral self deceit. While Macbeth is an educated man, he should realize that all men are born from women and perhaps this prophecy could have a different meaning.
His na ve outlook will soon bring about his death. Lady Macbeth s character also uses equivocation to the full extent. But while Macbeth s equivocal ways were those to better himself, Lady Macbeth s equivocation is to aid her husband rather than herself. She would even deceive her own king in welcoming him into the Macbeth household only to be murdered. She graciously welcomes him upon entry: All our service in every point twice done, and then done double, were poor and single business to contend against those honors deep and broad wherewith your Majesty loads our house: for those of old, and the late dignities heaped up to them, we rest you hermits. (I, vi, 15 - 19) Thereby the King is believed to be placed in the good hands of his gracious host. Thus unknowingly placing his trust directly in the hands of his enemy to await his fatal end.
Later on through the play as we see more and more of Macbeth s deterioration, we also see Lady Macbeth s struggle to keep Macbeth from exposing the truth on his trip to insanity. When the ghost of Banquo appears before Macbeth during his banquet, he does not cope well with the situation and almost reveals his true identity. Lady Macbeth covers his mistake by telling his guests: Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth.
Pray you, keep seat. The fit is momentary: upon a thought he will again be well. If much you note him you shall offend him and extend his passion. Feed, and regard him not. (III, iv, 54 - 59) Lady Macbeth handles this situation rather well, saving her husband from possible death if he exposes his dark secrets. The strain is seen in her speech as she grows weary from her husbands blunders. During the same scene, but later on after Lady Macbeth dismisses the guests for fear of Macbeth saying anything more, her equivocal ways are show again.
This time not to the public, but to Macbeth himself. After the apparition has departed, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that the visions are Imposters to true fear, would well become a woman s story at a winter s fire. Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces?
When all s done, you look but on a stool. (III, iv, 65 - 69) Her intent is not to harm Macbeth, but only set him back on the right track. In doing this she actually impairs his moral conscious and unintentionally returns his mind to the thought of evil. The character of the Witches is the most equivocal of all the characters in Macbeth. The witches do not speak in clear terms, but in somewhat of a riddle form. Their words can usually be interpreted in more than one way, thus deceiving Macbeth many times throughout the play. Specifically near the end of the play through the three warnings shown by means of ghostly apparitions.
The witches first warning to Macbeth: Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me: enough. (IV, i, 71 - 72) This first warning from the witches is actually quite ironic.
The witches have never told the absolute truth before, but in fact, this warning is the absolute truth. Thereby deceiving Macbeth, as he takes the warning lightly. For their second warning the witches return to their confusing riddles: Be bloody, bold, and resolute! Laugh to scorn the pow r of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth. (IV, i, 78 - 81) This second warning to Macbeth is more to the witches confusing method of warning. This warning is one of the most equivocal lines in the play and can be interpreted in more than one way. Macbeth interprets it wrongly.
When first hearing this statement one would think, as Macbeth did that since every man is born from a women, he is essentially not in any harm. But the true meaning of the witches forewarning is that no man who was traditionally born form a woman, meaning a natural birth without surgical assistance can not harm Macbeth. Thereby deceiving him as he lets down his guard. The third and last of the witches warnings is even more deceiving than the first and sends Macbeth s mind in the wrong direction once again.
In their third warning, the witches propose the physical self-transportation of a living forest. Be lion-mottled, proud, and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where considers are: Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. (IV, i, 89 - 94) From this statement Macbeth concludes his thought that he is under no harm as he knows that trees can not move by them selves. But what he does not know is that the witches were being incredibly deceiving as they meant the soldiers will use the trees as camouflage and it will appear as though the forest were moving. Macbeth is deceived once again by the witches by thinking that the trees could not move, therefore he felt that he was not in danger once again. This mistake would prove to be fatal and lead him to his death. It becomes clear from these three characters mentioned in the above, that equivocation is a persistent theme in Macbeth.
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