There Will Be BloodThere Will Be Blood

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

7 December 20117 December 2011

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 how a In Shakespeare’s constant worrying over how a man should “be” – as a father, a son, an 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 impulsive, In the difference between Macbeth’s impulsive, poorly-considered expectations and the bitter, poorly-considered expectations and the bitter, heartbreaking reality he finally faces, we see heartbreaking reality he finally faces, we see (500) Days of Summer.(500) Days of Summer.

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

All AlongAll Along

Off the RailsOff the Rails For those wondering why Search for For those wondering why Search for

Human Potential seems to have flown off Human Potential seems to have flown off the rails and headed into decidedly dark the rails and headed into decidedly dark territory, then, it’s worth pointing out that territory, then, it’s worth pointing out that it hasn’t.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 perspective We’ve just picked a different perspective to study from, and we’re going to shift to study from, and we’re going to shift again as soon as we can. again as soon as we can.

But before we do, I’d like to offer a bit of But before we do, I’d like to offer a bit of review and conclusion for review and conclusion for Macbeth Macbeth itself. itself.

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.

Desperate QuestsDesperate Quests

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

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

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

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

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

Flawed by DesignFlawed by Design

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

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

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

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

against Duncan out of the picture; either he simply against Duncan out of the picture; either he simply forgot, or he hoped to sneak it past James. forgot, or he hoped to sneak it past James.

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

Pleasing One’s PatronPleasing One’s Patron

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

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

One final thing to note before we begin: it’s worth One final thing to note before we begin: it’s worth examining how the points we’re about to discuss examining how the points we’re about to discuss apply to other characters. Look closer at how other apply to other characters. Look closer at how other characters grapple with the concerns we’re about to characters grapple with the concerns we’re about to cover. Start by examining, for example, how security cover. Start by examining, for example, how security and identity relate to Lady Macbeth, how and identity relate to Lady Macbeth, how enlightenment relates to Duncan, how love and enlightenment relates to Duncan, how love and security relate to Macduff, how identity relates to security relate to Macduff, how identity relates to Malcolm, how enlightenment relates to Banquo, and Malcolm, how enlightenment relates to Banquo, and how the Weïrd Sisters relate to independence…and how the Weïrd Sisters relate to independence…and continue from there.continue from there.

Out of the Frying Pan…Out of the Frying Pan…

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

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

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

If we take a wider view of Shakespeare’s body of If we take a wider view of Shakespeare’s body of work, we can see that this is something of a “pet work, we can see that this is something of a “pet theme” for him. 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 who make feature characters who make mistakes and suffer awful fates in the name of mistakes and suffer awful fates in the name of love. love.

Love (and Trust)Love (and Trust)

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

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the This doesn’t necessarily mean that the two must love everything about one 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 suggest However, it’s not controversial to suggest that a healthy relationship cannot that a healthy relationship cannot function without trust at its core. function without trust at its core.

Love (and Trust)Love (and Trust)

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 Bard Look at the mountain of evidence the Bard marshals in counterargument 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 wishes. accordance with her wishes.

Love (and Trust)Love (and Trust)

These questions – can we totally trust These questions – can we totally trust ourselves in the hands of another? ourselves in the hands of another?

Is it better to trust everyone (believing in Is it better to trust everyone (believing in the basic goodness of your fellow man) or the basic goodness of your fellow man) or trust no one? – have always made trust no one? – have always made audiences uneasy. audiences uneasy.

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

Love (and Trust)Love (and Trust)

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 of How does each character’s lack of

“hard” knowledge influence the “hard” knowledge influence the play’s narrative?play’s narrative?

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

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

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

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

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enlightenment Enlightenment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Security (and Trust)Security (and Trust)

Yet Macbeth’s rule is never secure Yet Macbeth’s rule is never secure becausebecause he trusts no one; he constantly he trusts no one; he constantly fears any threat to his seat of power. fears any threat to his seat of power.

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

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

Security (and Trust)Security (and Trust)

Security (and Trust)Security (and Trust) Really, why does Macbeth want to be Really, why does Macbeth want to be

king? king? Is it to provide for a family that ends Is it to provide for a family that ends

up dying as a result of his actions? up dying as a result of his actions? Is it to establish a place in history’s Is it to establish a place in history’s

record book so he could die secure in record book so he could die secure in the knowledge that he wouldn’t be the knowledge that he wouldn’t be forgotten? 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?

Security (and Trust)Security (and Trust) As we established in our previous discussions of As we established in our previous discussions of

love and trust, the latter can make you love and trust, the latter can make you vulnerable. vulnerable.

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

So what is he saying? So what is he saying? Is Shakespeare advocating trust, despite the Is Shakespeare advocating trust, despite the

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

Is Shakespeare using Macbeth’s paranoid Is Shakespeare 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 makes us human? care for others makes us human?

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

IndependenceIndependence Is Macbeth free?Is Macbeth free? He’s certainly influenced by people (the He’s certainly influenced by people (the

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

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

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

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

IndependenceIndependence When we first meet Macbeth, it’s hard to When we first meet Macbeth, it’s hard to

say that he’s independent in an anarchic say that he’s independent in an anarchic sense. sense.

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

He doesn’t have the freedom to, say, go He doesn’t have the freedom to, say, go fight for the Norwegians; that’s not a fight for 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 introduced So in some sense, Macbeth is introduced as a prisoner to his national ties. as a prisoner to his national ties.

IndependenceIndependence Yet we never get a sense that Macbeth is Yet we never get a sense that Macbeth is

a prisoner, that he is unhappy, or that he a prisoner, that he is unhappy, or that he has any desire to act in any other way. has any desire to act in any 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 closed unless you think of that option is closed unless you think of freedom in anarchic terms. freedom in anarchic terms.

IndependenceIndependence When the Weïrd Sisters appear, however, Macbeth’s When the Weïrd Sisters appear, however, Macbeth’s

“independent focus” is redirected; he’s no longer “independent focus” is redirected; he’s no longer acting in accordance with Duncan’s wishes. acting in accordance with Duncan’s wishes.

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

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

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

In other words, Macbeth’s life has always been about In other words, Macbeth’s life has always been about serving Duncan, about following orders; perhaps this serving Duncan, about following orders; perhaps this is why he follows Lady Macbeth so readily, and why is why he follows Lady Macbeth so readily, and why he searches for orders in the Weïrd Sisters’ he searches for orders in the Weïrd Sisters’ prophecies that simply aren’t there.prophecies that simply aren’t there.

IndependenceIndependence Yet if Macbeth isn’t responsible for his actions, if Yet if Macbeth isn’t responsible for his actions, if

he’s merely following his hard-wired need to he’s merely following his hard-wired need to follow, who is? follow, who is?

Is Lady Macbeth independent, or is she as much a Is Lady Macbeth independent, or is she as much a prisoner to her role in society as Macbeth? prisoner to her role in society as 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 his It’s hard to say whether Macbeth controls his destiny, oxymoronic as that concept may seem at destiny, oxymoronic as that concept may seem at first blush. 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 that He seems to act against his beliefs, and that should concern us most of all.should concern us most of all.

IdentityIdentity Who is Macbeth?Who is Macbeth? This, too, is a question the play grapples with This, too, is a question the play grapples with

and never satisfactorily answers. and never satisfactorily 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?

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

IdentityIdentity What do Macbeth’s monologues What do Macbeth’s monologues

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

And if you do, what’s left behind?And if you do, what’s left behind? What’s left to strive for?What’s left to strive for? What’s left to win? What’s left to win?

IdentityIdentity Shakespeare has always been a master of asking Shakespeare has always been a master of asking

difficult questions, and there is perhaps no better difficult questions, and there is perhaps no better question in this play than of how we should question in this play than of how we should ultimately view Macbeth. ultimately view Macbeth.

Is he a good man misled, an awful man who gets Is he a good man misled, an awful man who gets what’s coming to him, or just a man – a man with what’s coming to him, or just a man – a man with flaws and strengths who gets caught up in 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 end? Should we hate him for his crimes at the end? Should we feel sorry for him when we realize Should we feel sorry for him when we realize

what’s become of him, and what he’s lost? what’s become of him, and what he’s lost? And is what we feel different from what we think?And is what we feel different from what we think?

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

IdentityIdentity Ultimately, we spend time in the head of a Ultimately, we spend time in the head of a

character we never perfectly understand. character we never perfectly understand. We don’t know why Macbeth wants the We don’t know why Macbeth wants the

throne. 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, but We see him act, hear his thoughts, but

witness everything from a remove. witness everything from a remove. And we don’t put ourselves in Macbeth’s And we don’t put ourselves in Macbeth’s

shoes, perhaps because we don’t dare shoes, perhaps because we don’t dare wear them – because we fear that we wear them – because we fear that we could be capable of the same. could be capable of the same.