Tuesday, November 25, 2014

In Macbeth by Shakespeare, does Macbeth himself prioritize himself or the community more? (individual vs. community). What were the values that...

Macbeth prioritizes himself over the community because he is willing to kill the king just so he can be king.


Macbeth is very selfish.  Although he might have been a valiant and successful solider in the recent battles, as soon as he gets it into his head that he should be king, he is willing to do what it takes to grab and keep power.


The witches tell Macbeth that he will be king, and then he finds out that Duncan has chosen Malcolm as his heir to the throne and not him.  His reaction is one of power-hungry greed.



The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be,
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. (Act 1, Scene 4)



When Macbeth returns home, he starts to wonder if killing the king in order to make himself king is the best idea.  He brings up a lot of reasonable and rational objections.  Duncan is his guest and his kinsman. He should not be killing him.  There is also no reason to kill Duncan.  He is not a bad king!



Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off … (Act 1, Scene 7)



Macbeth is clearly not thinking of his community.  He is thinking of himself.  The best thing for his community is a stable monarchy.  Macbeth kills the king and throws his kingdom into turmoil.  He is a terrible king, who only thinks of himself.


Once Macbeth is king, he will do anything to stay there.  He framed the king’s two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain.  He kills Banquo and tries to kill his son Fleance as well, because he is worried about the prophecy that Banquo’s sons will be king and because he thinks that Banquo suspects him of killing the king.  He even sends murderers to Macduff’s house, and they kill his wife and children.


The best thing for Scotland is stability.  Malcolm, the king's younger son and heir, has the community's interests in mind.  He wants to oust Macbeth and return the throne to the rightful person, himself.  Macduff helps him do this.  


Malcolm proclaims the kingdom safe for those who fled.



As calling home our exiled friends abroad
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny;
Producing forth the cruel ministers
Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen,
Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands
Took off her life ... (Act 5, Scene 8)



In the end, Malcolm is a much better king than Macbeth.  He is more stable.  He is not ambitious, and he cares about his kingdom more than himself.  Scotland is in good hands with Malcolm on the throne.

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