independance of macbeth

A detailed Summary of independance of macbeth

Peasants of the early sixteenth century are often pictured carrying a bundle of limbs tied with vines on their backs. This is a perfect metaphor for the events in Macbeth. Macbeth is one of many thanes, or limbs, bundled together. The thanes are united by the king, or the vine. Scotland, or the peasant, carries the bundle by the sweat of his brow. They carry the bundle for fires on cold nights, or wars, and to build homes, or castles, to protect them from the elements, or invaders. If the limbs are tied improperly, one limb may slip to the side and cause the peasant, or nation, to stumble or fall. If the limb slides

completely out, the rest of the limbs may follow because the bundle is loose. Marriage is like a triangle. Each spouse makes up one of the leaning sides, and marriage the lower side. The three together are very strong, but to stand they all must be united. The longer a marriage is held the longer the bottom stretches, and the more dependent each person becomes on the other. If one side tries to stand on its own then the second will fall on the first as it tries to stand. This metaphor also excellently exemplifies the catastrophe that occurs in Macbeth as both Lady Macbeth an

the execution of the crime separates them...In fact, after the murder they

gaunt as his soul may be he will fall. (Van Doren 217) According to Macbeth's ideas of independence and of strength, he is neither independent

"competence" (1148). To be independent is not to be "subject to control by others" (Gove 1148). This means that independence is to be in control of ones decisions and to feel they are good decisions. Macbeth, on the other hand, feels independence is to not be subordinate to others like the king.

Johnson, Samuel. The Plays of William Shakespeare. London: J & R Tonson, 1788

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth each experiment with external forces to gain

Feed, and regard him not. . . (III, iv, 54-9)

Although he blames his rage on the grooms for killing Duncan, he was actually mad at himself for committing the murder. Not until he kills the grooms with his regret does Macbeth become totally independent from the thanes and slide from the bundle of limbs (II, iii, 108-19). The action of killing the chamber servants was the first action which Macbeth does totally independent of Lady Macbeth: he does not even mention killing the chamber servants to her:

The fit is momentary; upon a thought

as the deed is done, Macbeth falls: his control and independence falls. His plan to use Banquo's death to restore order and give him strength did not work. Before all the thanes except for Macduff, Macbeth has a brief moment of insanity, in which he loses all control and reveals his true strength which has been hidden by self denial. For her own safety, Lady Macbeth tries to calm the situation and to make it excusable:

Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus,

he will again be well. If you much note him,

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Approximate Word count = 1948
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English