Macbeth: Macbeth: “He Was Caught in the “He Was Caught in the

Machinery”Machinery” – or – – or –

There Will Be BloodThere Will Be Blood

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

4 December 20124 December 2012

If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.will gaze back into you.

Frederick NietzscheFrederick Nietzsche

We are merely the stars’ tennis balls, struck We are merely the stars’ tennis balls, struck and banded, which way chooses.and banded, which way chooses.

John WebsterJohn Webster

The greatest hazard of all – losing one’s self The greatest hazard of all – losing one’s self – can occur very quietly in the world, as if – can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss – an arm, a occur so quietly; any other loss – an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. – is sure to be leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. – is sure to be noticed.noticed.

Sören KierkegaardSören Kierkegaard

Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.the right regrets.

Arthur MillerArthur Miller

Attentive readers may have noticed some Attentive readers may have noticed some relationships between relationships between MacbethMacbeth and our earlier and our earlier curricular content. curricular content.

In Shakespeare’s constant worrying over In Shakespeare’s constant worrying over how a man should “be” – as a father, a son, an how a man should “be” – as a father, a son, an individual – we see everything from individual – we see everything from SiddharthaSiddhartha to to WarWar reflected. reflected.

In the difference between Macbeth’s In the difference between Macbeth’s impulsive, poorly-considered expectations and impulsive, poorly-considered expectations and the bitter, heartbreaking reality he finally faces, the bitter, heartbreaking reality he finally faces, we see Siddhartha, Govinda, and we see Siddhartha, Govinda, and (500) Days of (500) Days of Summer.Summer.

And if you go back and look at the blogs And if you go back and look at the blogs that ask specific questions –that ask specific questions – Searching for a Searching for a Former Clarity, Will the Future Blame Us?, With Former Clarity, Will the Future Blame Us?, With Love We Will SurviveLove We Will Survive – those question banks – those question banks could pertain to Shakespeare’s play just as easily could pertain to Shakespeare’s play just as easily as they did to Hesse’s novel.as they did to Hesse’s novel.

For those of you who are perhaps For those of you who are perhaps wondering why Search for Human wondering why Search for Human Potential seems to have flown off the rails Potential seems to have flown off the rails and headed into decidedly dark territory, and headed into decidedly dark territory, then, it’s worth pointing out that it hasn’t.then, it’s worth pointing out that it hasn’t.

Sure, this story may end badly for its Sure, this story may end badly for its central character, but the concerns the central character, but the concerns the class began studying months ago remain. class began studying months ago remain.

We’ve just picked a different We’ve just picked a different perspective to study from, and we’re perspective to study from, and we’re going to shift again as soon as we can. going to shift again as soon as we can.

But before we do so, I’d like to review But before we do so, I’d like to review the the Macbeth Macbeth unit a bit, and to conclude it unit a bit, and to conclude it in a proper way. in a proper way.

This play was based on complicated This play was based on complicated historical events, and Shakespeare’s historical events, and Shakespeare’s contemporary concerns and education contemporary concerns and education helped shape the way he presents them in helped shape the way he presents them in his narrative. his narrative.

While the Bard touches on dozens of While the Bard touches on dozens of themes, motifs, symbols, and recurring themes, motifs, symbols, and recurring images over the course of five acts, the images over the course of five acts, the play ultimately revolves around the play ultimately revolves around the characters – all of whom have flaws, and characters – all of whom have flaws, and all of whom make mistakes – and the ways all of whom make mistakes – and the ways in which the search for security, identity, in which the search for security, identity, enlightenment, independence, and love enlightenment, independence, and love intersect in one man’s desperate quest for intersect in one man’s desperate quest for power. power.

MacbethMacbeth was always flawed by was always flawed by design: it’s a chronicle of Scottish history design: it’s a chronicle of Scottish history from an Englishman’s second-hand from an Englishman’s second-hand perspective, and consequently suffers perspective, and consequently suffers from a number of inaccuracies both from a number of inaccuracies both intentional and unintentional. intentional and unintentional.

For example, the real King Duncan For example, the real King Duncan was ill-suited to rule Scotland, and he was ill-suited to rule Scotland, and he proved to be an ineffective king. proved to be an ineffective king.

The real Macbeth assassinated him in The real Macbeth assassinated him in a noble (to him) act of nationalism, and he a noble (to him) act of nationalism, and he didn’t act alone. didn’t act alone.

There’s no sign that his wife drove There’s no sign that his wife drove him to kill, but he had several co-him to kill, but he had several co-conspirators, one of whom was Banquo. conspirators, one of whom was Banquo.

Yet in the play, Banquo stands in Yet in the play, Banquo stands in opposition to Macbeth’s plight. Why? opposition to Macbeth’s plight. Why?

You’ll recall that You’ll recall that Shakespeare’s company was Shakespeare’s company was employed by King James. employed by King James.

Shakespeare therefore had a Shakespeare therefore had a very specific audience to please, very specific audience to please, and took great pains to do so. and took great pains to do so.

Since he knew James believed Since he knew James believed that he was one of the historical that he was one of the historical Banquo’s descendents, the Bard Banquo’s descendents, the Bard didn’t dare show the king’s didn’t dare show the king’s “ancestor” in a negative light.“ancestor” in a negative light.

But if Banquo wasn’t going to be a But if Banquo wasn’t going to be a regicidal co-conspirator, there had to be a regicidal co-conspirator, there had to be a reason – so Shakespeare decided to reason – so Shakespeare decided to portray Duncan as a wonderful king whom portray Duncan as a wonderful king whom even Macbeth respects, whose even Macbeth respects, whose widespread approval causes the reluctant widespread approval causes the reluctant thane to reconsider his plan. thane to reconsider his plan.

(Shakespeare, however, failed to cut (Shakespeare, however, failed to cut the rebellion against Duncan out of the the rebellion against Duncan out of the picture; either he simply forgot, or he picture; either he simply forgot, or he hoped to sneak it past James.)hoped to sneak it past James.)

The witches were another “shout-The witches were another “shout-out” to James’s contemporary concerns, out” to James’s contemporary concerns, for reasons that we’ve documented for reasons that we’ve documented before. before.

While While MacbethMacbeth is loaded with rich is loaded with rich historical, thematic, and plot-related historical, thematic, and plot-related issues, it’s important to remember issues, it’s important to remember that many of them fit under the that many of them fit under the umbrella of the five major areas we’ve umbrella of the five major areas we’ve studied all semester: enlightenment, studied all semester: enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and independence, identity, security, and love. love.

Shakespeare’s opinions regarding Shakespeare’s opinions regarding these five areas of study are these five areas of study are complicated, and neither wholly complicated, and neither wholly positive nor negative…hence our positive nor negative…hence our study of this work.study of this work.

One final thing to note before we One final thing to note before we begin: it’s worth examining how the begin: it’s worth examining how the points we’re about to discuss apply to points we’re about to discuss apply to other characters. other characters.

Look closer at how other Look closer at how other characters grapple with the concerns characters grapple with the concerns we’re about to cover. we’re about to cover.

Start by examining, for example, Start by examining, for example, how security and identity relate to how security and identity relate to Lady Macbeth, how enlightenment Lady Macbeth, how enlightenment relates to Duncan, how love and relates to Duncan, how love and security relate to Macduff, how security relate to Macduff, how identity relates to Malcolm, how identity relates to Malcolm, how enlightenment relates to Banquo, and enlightenment relates to Banquo, and how the Weïrd Sisters relate to how the Weïrd Sisters relate to independence…and continue from independence…and continue from there.there.

While reading While reading Macbeth,Macbeth, it’s best to ask it’s best to ask yourself the questions that the playwright yourself the questions that the playwright seems to be prompting you to consider. seems to be prompting you to consider.

For example, Shakespeare bluntly For example, Shakespeare bluntly questions whether love is a healthy, beneficial questions whether love is a healthy, beneficial emotion. emotion.

In In Macbeth,Macbeth, love is the source of great love is the source of great pain – of blindness, hate, betrayal, guilt, pain – of blindness, hate, betrayal, guilt, violence, and revenge – without many violence, and revenge – without many indications that it can function as a source of indications that it can function as a source of great strength. great strength.

If we take a wider view of Shakespeare’s If we take a wider view of Shakespeare’s body of work, we can see that this is something body of work, we can see that this is something of a “pet theme” for him. of a “pet theme” for him.

Many of his tragedies, from Many of his tragedies, from HamletHamlet to to OthelloOthello to to Romeo and Juliet,Romeo and Juliet, feature characters feature characters who make mistakes and suffer awful fates in who make mistakes and suffer awful fates in the name of love. the name of love.

By questioning love’s ramifications, By questioning love’s ramifications, Shakespeare in turn raises interesting Shakespeare in turn raises interesting questions about trust. questions about trust.

In order for relationships to function In order for relationships to function (at least on a healthy basis), both parties (at least on a healthy basis), both parties must trust one another. must trust one another.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that This doesn’t necessarily mean that the two must love everything about one the two must love everything about one another, that each must be blind to the another, that each must be blind to the other’s flaws, or even that they must other’s flaws, or even that they must forgive each partner for transgressions. forgive each partner for transgressions.

However, it’s not controversial to However, it’s not controversial to suggest that a healthy relationship cannot suggest that a healthy relationship cannot function without trust at its core. function without trust at its core.

Yet Shakespeare also forces us to Yet Shakespeare also forces us to question whether trust is a good thing. question whether trust is a good thing.

Look at the mountain of evidence the Look at the mountain of evidence the Bard marshals in counterargument:Bard marshals in counterargument:– Banquo suspects Macbeth of treachery too late Banquo suspects Macbeth of treachery too late

to save himselfto save himself– Macduff underestimates Macbeth’s Macduff underestimates Macbeth’s

ruthlessness, and pays the price for his ruthlessness, and pays the price for his mistake in his family’s bloodmistake in his family’s blood

– Duncan’s trusting nature blinds him to the Duncan’s trusting nature blinds him to the threat Macbeth representsthreat Macbeth represents

– Macbeth himself trusts his wife’s better Macbeth himself trusts his wife’s better judgment while ultimately deciding to act in judgment while ultimately deciding to act in accordance with her wishesaccordance with her wishes

Can we totally trust ourselves in Can we totally trust ourselves in the hands of another? the hands of another?

Is it better to trust everyone Is it better to trust everyone (believing in the basic goodness of (believing in the basic goodness of your fellow man) or trust no one? your fellow man) or trust no one?

These questions have always These questions have always made audiences uneasy. made audiences uneasy.

They’re some of the most They’re some of the most fascinating aspects of fascinating aspects of Macbeth,Macbeth, and and the most haunting ones once the the most haunting ones once the play finishes – for if there are play finishes – for if there are answers here, they may not line up answers here, they may not line up with what you previously believed. with what you previously believed.

While considering Shakespeare’s While considering Shakespeare’s attitude toward human attitude toward human enlightenment – as well as how his enlightenment – as well as how his views shaped views shaped MacbethMacbeth – it’s helpful – it’s helpful to use some simple questions to to use some simple questions to direct your exploration.direct your exploration.

How does knowledge provide the How does knowledge provide the characters with power?characters with power?

How does it doom them?How does it doom them?

How does each character’s lack How does each character’s lack of “hard” knowledge influence the of “hard” knowledge influence the play’s narrative?play’s narrative?

One could easily argue that One could easily argue that Macbeth’s “knowledge” is the key to Macbeth’s “knowledge” is the key to his power, since he never even his power, since he never even considers rule until he knows the considers rule until he knows the prophecy. prophecy.

One could just as easily argue One could just as easily argue that Macbeth’s “knowledge” dooms that Macbeth’s “knowledge” dooms him because he puts too much stock him because he puts too much stock in the Weïrd Sisters’ words, in the Weïrd Sisters’ words, particularly after the first scene of particularly after the first scene of the fourth act. the fourth act.

One could even argue that One could even argue that Macbeth never knows anything; he Macbeth never knows anything; he just just thinksthinks he knows things. he knows things.

We don’t even need to look at We don’t even need to look at Macbeth to see how knowledge Macbeth to see how knowledge alternately empowers and alternately empowers and compromises people. compromises people.

Duncan believes he can trust Duncan believes he can trust people based on what he knows, but it people based on what he knows, but it turns out he knows less than he turns out he knows less than he believes. believes.

Lady Macbeth “overestimates” Lady Macbeth “overestimates” herself, oddly enough, and ends up herself, oddly enough, and ends up dying as a result. dying as a result.

Banquo’s knowledge traps him – Banquo’s knowledge traps him – he can’t come forward, but he can’t he can’t come forward, but he can’t ignore what he secretly knows, and ignore what he secretly knows, and his secret ultimately dooms him.his secret ultimately dooms him.

Even Malcolm’s and Donalbain’s Even Malcolm’s and Donalbain’s mutual decision to flee stems from mutual decision to flee stems from their lack of knowledge about the their lack of knowledge about the killer, and from what they believe killer, and from what they believe they know about his motives. they know about his motives.

It’s that lack of knowledge that It’s that lack of knowledge that allows Macbeth to take the crown.allows Macbeth to take the crown.

As you can clearly see, As you can clearly see, enlightenment requires more than an enlightenment requires more than an extensive collection of facts – it extensive collection of facts – it requires requires understanding.understanding.

Knowledge without Knowledge without comprehension is a dangerous thing…comprehension is a dangerous thing…especially here.especially here.

Just as with love, Shakespeare Just as with love, Shakespeare ultimately deals with security less in ultimately deals with security less in physical terms and more in terms of physical terms and more in terms of trust. trust.

Trust leads to comfort and Trust leads to comfort and confidence – witness how Macbeth is confidence – witness how Macbeth is spurred to pursue greatness by spurred to pursue greatness by sources he trusts – as well as to fatal sources he trusts – as well as to fatal errors.errors.

The security you provide The security you provide essentially serves as currency in essentially serves as currency in Scottish society. Scottish society.

You gain a spouse and promotions You gain a spouse and promotions (to a point) via your willingness to (to a point) via your willingness to protect “what’s yours.”protect “what’s yours.”

After all, Macbeth gains Duncan’s After all, Macbeth gains Duncan’s favor through willing service, favor through willing service, including his vigorous defense of the including his vigorous defense of the kingdom when the rebels and kingdom when the rebels and Norwegians attack. Norwegians attack.

Yet it is Duncan’s willingness to Yet it is Duncan’s willingness to trust Macbeth – to place his security trust Macbeth – to place his security in the hands of another – that leads to in the hands of another – that leads to his murder. his murder.

Shakespeare seems to be Shakespeare seems to be cautioning people that trust may not cautioning people that trust may not lead to security – that it may, in fact, lead to security – that it may, in fact, compromise it.compromise it.

That said, we have to remember that That said, we have to remember that Macbeth’s rule is never secure Macbeth’s rule is never secure becausebecause he he trusts no one.trusts no one.

He lives in constant terror of any He lives in constant terror of any threat to his seat of power, invents threat to his seat of power, invents threats where none appear to exist, turns threats where none appear to exist, turns on his friends as though they were on his friends as though they were enemies, and compromises every ideal he enemies, and compromises every ideal he once pursued and fought to uphold, all in once pursued and fought to uphold, all in the fearful pursuit of security. the fearful pursuit of security.

This is why Lady Macbeth’s quote This is why Lady Macbeth’s quote early in Act III, when she says it’s better early in Act III, when she says it’s better to be dead than to live under a constant to be dead than to live under a constant shadow of guilt and fear, is so revealing. shadow of guilt and fear, is so revealing.

Really, why does Macbeth want Really, why does Macbeth want to be king? to be king?

Is it to provide for a family that Is it to provide for a family that ends up dying as a result of his ends up dying as a result of his actions? actions?

Is it to establish a place in Is it to establish a place in history’s record book so he could die history’s record book so he could die secure in the knowledge that he secure in the knowledge that he wouldn’t be forgotten? wouldn’t be forgotten?

Is it to win the security of Is it to win the security of independence and control – the two independence and control – the two things he ends up losing first? things he ends up losing first?

As we established in our previous As we established in our previous discussions of love and trust, the latter can discussions of love and trust, the latter can make you vulnerable. make you vulnerable.

However, Shakespeare also seems to However, Shakespeare also seems to point out that a lack of trust is equally point out that a lack of trust is equally dangerous. dangerous.

So what So what isis he saying? he saying? Is Shakespeare advocating trust, despite Is Shakespeare advocating trust, despite

the inherent threats and vulnerabilities that the inherent threats and vulnerabilities that accompany it? accompany it?

Is he using Macbeth’s paranoid Is he using Macbeth’s paranoid inhumanity to say that the ability to trust and inhumanity to say that the ability to trust and care for others ultimately care for others ultimately makesmakes us human? us human?

Or is he arguing that the world is Or is he arguing that the world is inherently dangerous, and that the only way to inherently dangerous, and that the only way to protect yourself is to use others before they protect yourself is to use others before they can use you – to “provide a false face” in order can use you – to “provide a false face” in order to save your own skin? to save your own skin?

Shakespeare raises similarly Shakespeare raises similarly complicated concerns regarding complicated concerns regarding independence.independence.

Is Macbeth free?Is Macbeth free? He’s certainly influenced by people He’s certainly influenced by people

(the Weïrd Sisters, Lady Macbeth), as well (the Weïrd Sisters, Lady Macbeth), as well as by less tangible forces (the prophecy, as by less tangible forces (the prophecy, his own paranoia). his own paranoia).

But it’s a question that audiences But it’s a question that audiences have grappled with for centuries. have grappled with for centuries.

How much control does Macbeth How much control does Macbeth really exert over the course of events in really exert over the course of events in the play? the play?

Does he cause things to happen, or Does he cause things to happen, or do things happen to him regardless of do things happen to him regardless of what he does?what he does?

When we first meet Macbeth, it’s hard When we first meet Macbeth, it’s hard to say that he’s independent in an to say that he’s independent in an anarchic sense. anarchic sense.

He owes his prosperous lifestyle to He owes his prosperous lifestyle to his willingness to risk his neck in service his willingness to risk his neck in service of his king, and every decision he makes of his king, and every decision he makes has to be colored by that allegiance. has to be colored by that allegiance.

He doesn’t have the freedom to, say, He doesn’t have the freedom to, say, go play with the Norwegians; that’s not a go play with the Norwegians; that’s not a decision he can even bring himself to decision he can even bring himself to contemplate. contemplate.

So in some sense, Macbeth is So in some sense, Macbeth is introduced as a prisoner to his national introduced as a prisoner to his national ties. ties.

Yet we never get a sense that Yet we never get a sense that Macbeth is a prisoner, that he is unhappy, Macbeth is a prisoner, that he is unhappy, or that he has any desire to act in any or that he has any desire to act in any other way. other way.

In this case, it seems that Macbeth’s In this case, it seems that Macbeth’s independent pursuits are shaped by his independent pursuits are shaped by his allegiance to Duncan – that it’s less a allegiance to Duncan – that it’s less a matter of service restraining him as much matter of service restraining him as much as a matter of service directing his focus. as a matter of service directing his focus.

If Macbeth doesn’t have any desire to If Macbeth doesn’t have any desire to fight for the Norwegians, we can’t really fight for the Norwegians, we can’t really argue that his freedom is limited when argue that his freedom is limited when that option is automatically closed (unless that option is automatically closed (unless you think of freedom in anarchic terms). you think of freedom in anarchic terms).

When the Weïrd Sisters appear, When the Weïrd Sisters appear, however, Macbeth’s “independent however, Macbeth’s “independent focus” is redirected; he’s no longer focus” is redirected; he’s no longer acting in accordance with Duncan’s acting in accordance with Duncan’s wishes. wishes.

But can we argue that he’s any But can we argue that he’s any more independent when he’s more independent when he’s following Lady Macbeth’s orders, following Lady Macbeth’s orders, when he’s trying to bring poorly-when he’s trying to bring poorly-understood prophecies into fruition, understood prophecies into fruition, than he was while fighting to defend than he was while fighting to defend the crown?the crown?

We really have to wonder if We really have to wonder if Macbeth is even capable of making Macbeth is even capable of making independent choices.independent choices.

After all, he’s been born and After all, he’s been born and raised to be one thing – the future raised to be one thing – the future Thane of Glamis – with promotions Thane of Glamis – with promotions thereafter limited to positions that thereafter limited to positions that will tie him closer to the crown. will tie him closer to the crown.

Macbeth’s life has always been Macbeth’s life has always been about serving Duncan, about following about serving Duncan, about following orders.orders.

Perhaps this is why he follows Perhaps this is why he follows Lady Macbeth so readily, and why he Lady Macbeth so readily, and why he searches for orders in the Weïrd searches for orders in the Weïrd Sisters’ prophecies that simply aren’t Sisters’ prophecies that simply aren’t there.there.

Yet if Macbeth isn’t responsible for his Yet if Macbeth isn’t responsible for his actions, if he’s merely following his hard-wired actions, if he’s merely following his hard-wired need to, well, follow, then who is? need to, well, follow, then who is?

Is Lady Macbeth independent, or is she as Is Lady Macbeth independent, or is she as much a prisoner to her role in society as much a prisoner to her role in society as Macbeth? Macbeth?

Can she ever be “greater” alone than as Can she ever be “greater” alone than as someone’s inferior partner?someone’s inferior partner?

It’s hard to say whether Macbeth controls It’s hard to say whether Macbeth controls his destiny, oxymoronic as that concept may his destiny, oxymoronic as that concept may seem at first blush. seem at first blush.

Is he making choices, or is he following his Is he making choices, or is he following his programming? programming?

We see him think, see him debate, see him We see him think, see him debate, see him agonize over decisions – but how often do his agonize over decisions – but how often do his actions match his thoughts? actions match his thoughts?

He seems to act against his beliefs, and He seems to act against his beliefs, and that should concern us most of all.that should concern us most of all.

Who Who isis Macbeth? Macbeth? This, too, is a question the play This, too, is a question the play

grapples with and never satisfactorily grapples with and never satisfactorily answers. answers.

Is he a good person? Is he a good person? A bad person? A bad person? Loyal? Loyal? Treacherous? Treacherous? Brave? Brave? Cowardly? Cowardly? Intelligent? Intelligent? Blind? Blind? Ambitious? Ambitious? Greedy? Greedy? Weak?Weak?

Macbeth is haunted by his initial Macbeth is haunted by his initial murder, then slowly descends into murder, then slowly descends into madness – just as Lady Macbeth madness – just as Lady Macbeth does. does.

Viewers and readers must decide Viewers and readers must decide for themselves whether the for themselves whether the Macbeths’ inability to live with what Macbeths’ inability to live with what they’ve done represents they’ve done represents fundamental – buried, but fundamental – buried, but fundamental – goodness, or whether fundamental – goodness, or whether it’s just weakness and fear it’s just weakness and fear repurposed as hatred of themselves repurposed as hatred of themselves and everyone else. and everyone else.

What do Macbeth’s monologues What do Macbeth’s monologues and soliloquies show? and soliloquies show?

What happens to people who live What happens to people who live their lives acting out roles, let alone their lives acting out roles, let alone to those who set out to “wear false to those who set out to “wear false faces”? faces”?

Can you lose yourself in a lie, or Can you lose yourself in a lie, or in ambition? in ambition?

And if you do, what’s left And if you do, what’s left behind?behind?

What’s left to strive for?What’s left to strive for?

What’s left to win? What’s left to win?

Shakespeare has always been a master of Shakespeare has always been a master of asking difficult questions, and there is perhaps asking difficult questions, and there is perhaps no better question in this play than of how we no better question in this play than of how we should ultimately view Macbeth. should ultimately view Macbeth.

Is he a good man misled, an awful man who Is he a good man misled, an awful man who gets what’s coming to him, or just a man – a man gets what’s coming to him, or just a man – a man with flaws and strengths who gets caught up in with flaws and strengths who gets caught up in something bigger than he can handle? something bigger than he can handle?

Should we hate him for his crimes at the Should we hate him for his crimes at the end? end?

Should we feel sorry for him when we Should we feel sorry for him when we realize what’s become of him, and what he’s realize what’s become of him, and what he’s lost? lost?

And is what we feel different from what we And is what we feel different from what we think?think?

How is that possible when both thought and How is that possible when both thought and emotion emanate from the same source?emotion emanate from the same source?

Ultimately, we spend time in the head Ultimately, we spend time in the head of a character we never perfectly of a character we never perfectly understand. understand.

We don’t know why Macbeth wants We don’t know why Macbeth wants the throne. the throne.

We don’t know why he loves Lady We don’t know why he loves Lady Macbeth. Macbeth.

We see him act, hear his thoughts, We see him act, hear his thoughts, but witness everything from a remove. but witness everything from a remove.

And we don’t put ourselves in And we don’t put ourselves in Macbeth’s blood-soaked shoes, perhaps Macbeth’s blood-soaked shoes, perhaps because we don’t dare wear them – because we don’t dare wear them – because we fear that in the same because we fear that in the same situation, facing the same circumstances situation, facing the same circumstances and choices, we might just be capable of and choices, we might just be capable of the same…the same…

……that we, too, could forget to be true that we, too, could forget to be true to ourselves. to ourselves.