Interpretive Analysis for Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare's Macbeth illustrates different theme in his book through quotes from different characters. The ambition is one of the themes that are the driving force in the play as various characters struggle to meet their goals. Another theme is romantic that appears to be in trouble, in this play. For instance, during courtship that is before marriage as well as at marriage there seem to be a struggle between the parties. Even though the two couples Macbeth and the wife are united and happy, it is ironical. It is because the unity between them is due to their mutual madness, their crime and alienation from other humanity (Shakespeare, 1997).
Through Macbeths’ quotes, the reader can examine the concept of political legitimacy of moral authorities that other leaders have while others lack. The questions from Malcolm to Mac duff in the scene three of act four can be used to define characters with political legitimacy. For example, after the death of Duncan, the nobles from Scotland grumbled tyrannical behavior of Macbeth. Malcolm claimed some of the bad qualities like greed, violent, lust and chaotic from Macbeth. Duncan’s, on the other hand, had good qualities like generosity and kindness. The only good quality of Malcolm’s was loyalty to his people and Scotland. Through his book, the reader can also understand the theme of relationship between power and gender. He explores the issues of masculinity where he shows what masculinity entails and how different characters in the play embody them. For instance, manhood in Macbeth is tied to the idea of strength (Shakespeare, 1997).
Reason for choosing the quote and the quote: I have chosen the quote "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" because it related to what goes on in the present modern society. The statement illustrates the theme of reality and appearance which are common in most society today. It also shows how evil beliefs are used to accomplish the ambition of power. Interpretation: Macbeth's first words "So foul day I have not seen" is in the first act, scene three and line thirty-eight. The quote has hidden the meaning and it refers to struggle in which Macbeth's, fellow captains Banquo and best friends fought during their sailing into the sea. The line illustrates how bad the day has been bad in some ways that are foul. On the other side, it also shows how good the day was in other ways. The evidence was seen when Macbeth's looked upon the day. According to him, the day had been bad that is foul as results of a strong storm. The storm was stimulated by the witches. However, fair day was also observed in the battlefield as he became victorious. Macbeth had a superstition that uttering. The statement is important as it refers to the battle Macbeth had fought recently. According to him, the fight was fair because he won the fight. However, the witches are foul according to his belief because they him warnings that in the long run does not heed. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are all fair in their dealings. The play is full of situations where the evil is described as good and at the same time the good things are rendered evil (Shakespeare, 1997).
The analysis of the quote shows the theme of moral ambiguity in the play. In the play, it is illustrated that the normal appearance of people and events do not match their reality. It is what the play revolves around. The examples of are shown when Fleance escape, Banquo is murdered and the death of Macbeth’s. A paradox appears in these quotes because the direct interpretation of the statement is deceiving. The theme of reality and appearance as far as gender and culture are concerned are depicted in this statement. It is witches’ statement echoed by Macbeth. The main issue is the prediction of the witch who believed that supernatural good cannot be bad. The issue of gender is also illustrated in the play and depicted in this quote. For instance, when Macbeth got a prophecy from the witches telling him that he will be a king one day he ended up killing Duncan. The action of his wife and his ambition to become king as prophesized drove him to kill King Duncan and he took the throne.
The quote is “Fair is foul .Hover through. Fog and filthy air” The main theme in these quotes is deception.
Interpretation: There is discontinuation between the reality and appearance. In the play, hypocrisy is evident everywhere. When introduced to the witches, who are speaking in ambiguous equivocations, the conclusion drawn is that what is fair for one person may turn to be bad for another individual (Shakespeare, 1997).
Analysis: Witches enjoy the filthy atmosphere that the human beings would not survive. The morality of the witches depicts absolute opposite to that of normal human being. When Banquo and Macbeth meet the witches, Banquo notices that they were female. The appearances of the witches defy the reality. It is true that witches do not face the reality. The quote challenges the argument because according to morality, witches are trusted by the society and are expected to give the truth. However, this becomes ironical when the truth challenges them (Shakespeare, 1997).
Reference
Shakespeare, W (1997). Netball: Step to success. Champaign: Human Kinetics
