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Is the bard’s heavily analyzed work cursed, or over interpreted?
An analyzation of the central elements of the work
Amanda Young
Research Writing Period 2
Mrs. Whitney
May 1, 2010
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Abstract
Numerous scholars throughout the world believe that the production of the bard’s Macbeth
has “provoked” many tragic happenings on those who have performed that tale of Macbeth.
Some believe that the reputation is a matter of hysteria and superstition. As the bard’s work has a
central theme of deception, this is where most parallels between the text and thus, reputation of
the play are drawn. One of the strongest aspects of the vexed legacy is the indirect manipulation
and deception from the three witches to title character Macbeth. Their casting visions are not
only misleading, but throughout the play, tend to end in unexpected tragedy. Their guidance
essentially leads to several vexed aspects of the work, all of which contribute to the haunting
legacy withheld by Macbeth. Ultimately, the central elements of the play are merely interpreted,
and thus, made to display the haunted legacy of Macbeth.
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Introduction
For centuries in the vast world of literature, countless works have been analyzed on
question of curse, or challenged morals. Perhaps the most infamous of these works is
Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After being performed for hundreds of years, several elements of the
play are said to be the basis of the hexed theory. These elements include the role of the three
witches; Lady Macbeth and her thrive for power, and the central theme of deception. These
elements draw parallels between the play and its reputation; therefore, the cursed legacy is first
and foremost, a matter of interpretation. Depending on how it is interpreted, Macbeth is either
seen for its reputation, or imaginative themes. In this sense, the elements of the three witches,
Lady Macbeth, and the theme of deception are creatively portrayed to create the several key
themes of the play. Therefore, the work merely expresses themes such as power, guilt, and
deception, creating the interpreted illusion of a haunted piece of literature.
Perhaps the most influential element of Macbeth is the role of the three witches. Their
role begins in the first act of the play with their warnings to Macbeth of his new power. This
causes him to solely focus on the witches’ prophecy; causing greed and envy. Since the witches
introduce these visions and thus, the acts of challenged morals, they are considered to be “the
root of all evil” in the play. It is analyzed whether the witches influence the future of the
characters, or simply predict it (Boyce, 1990, 391). This leads to the debate whether human life
is controlled by free will, or fate. Also related to this issue, is whether the role of the witches
influence the lives of the actors involved in the work (Epstein 1993, 200). For centuries, reported
of unfortunate incidents from Renaissance times to today are based upon the hexing of the
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witches, as their role supposedly does not stop at the stage. Of course, interpretation is the most
important part of this opinion. For if one takes the significance of the witches to the point of
superstition, then one is bringing unfortunate acts upon themselves. Therefore, the debate
whether human life is determined by fate of free will is ultimately a matter of free will;
individuals determine their own fate. In the subject of human nature and the significance of the
witches, it is simply the role of superstition that takes over the mind, and thus, creating the
hysteria of a curse.
Also, a large piece of the so-called curse is the aspect of psychology, and human hysteria.
Along with the influence of the three witches, comes the superstition attached to it. As if human
lives have been driven by “supernatural forces”, past actors and such have felt that they cannot
control their own free will after being linked to “the Scottish play” (Epstein 1993, 201). In the
written work, the characters are overcome with many different feelings; it seems that they are no
longer aware of what they are after in their lives. Due to fear and superstition, real actors have
had similar feelings to that of their characters. This similarity also relates to the essential factor
of deception in the play. With misleading guidance, the characters seem to lose faith, and their
sanity (Epstein 1993, 201). For instance, in the end of the play, title character Macbeth is
defeated by his enemy, Macduff, due to a misleading prophecy given by the witches. This type
of happening gives scholars and readers the superstitious impression of supernatural
“dominance” that is possessed by the play. However, it is ultimately, interpretation and a matter
of human psychology that allows the superstitious ways of thinking. Without the over-intake of
these “shady” influences, the hexed reputation of Macbeth cannot overcome the sake of human
sanity.
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One of the characters of the most importance in the work is “Lady Macbeth”. Her character
embodies both demonic energy and human weakness (Andrews 2001, 73). This displays the
supposed control acquired by the supernatural aspects in the play has over the human characters.
Lady Macbeth sufficiently and indirectly affects the fate of each character, as she dies of her own
misleading guilt. Her character however, does not necessarily reflect demonic influences like that
of the three witches. More so than human weakness however, Lady Macbeth is involved with the
essential themes of power, and guilt. Observing her cruelty to her husband and temptation she
leads on, she is sometimes considered to be a fourth witch (Alchin, 2005, 2). Although Lady
Macbeth is a very powerful character, she is not quite as influential towards the cursed
reputation; mainly because she does not provide the supernatural visions and deception that is
known to derive from the role of the three witches. Although Lady Macbeth can be considered
an influential piece of the reputation, her character is not considered to be the sole piece of the
curse. Recall that interpretation is the most important factor to determine the significance of
Lady Macbeth to the curse. In opinion however, Lady Macbeth is a powerful woman who wants
the best for her loved one, and is not a heavy factor of the hexing.
In conclusion, several parallels can be observed between the acquired reputation of
Macbeth and the significance of certain characters. Although the parallels drawn are very
prominent in acquiring the reputation, it is ultimately the interpretations of the three witches,
psychology and human nature, and the role of Lady Macbeth that lead on this reputation. Despite
past happenings “involved” with the play, the reputation is simply an interpretation, or
misinterpretation. Therefore, the so-called curse only affects those who allow the superstition to
overcome them.
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Discussion
Although several prominent parallels can be drawn between the role of certain characters
and human psychology, the so-called reputation of Macbeth is merely a matter of interpretation.
If one allows their mind to be overcome with superstition, they are only forcing themselves to
become involved with the curse. Therefore, interpretation is key in this so called curse, and it
shall only affect those whom allow it to happen to their minds and thus, their reality.
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References
Alchin, L. K. (2005). The complete database for the world and works of William Shakespeare.
Published 16 November, 2008. www.william-shakespeare.info
Andrews, J. F. (2001). Shakespeare’s World and Works (vol 1- 3). Princeton: Visual Education
Corporation.
Boyce, C. (1990). Shakespeare A to Z, The essential reference to his plays, his poems, his life and times,
and more. New York: Facts on File inc.
Epstein, N. (1993). The Friendly Shakespeare. New York: Penguin Company