Macbeth: Murderer, tyrant, widower.
Humanising the tyrant
In the world of Shakespearean drama, few characters have captivated audiences as profoundly as Macbeth. From his initial epithets as a valiant warrior to his eventual title as a tyrannical ruler, the path that Macbeth chooses is a gripping study of ambition, power, and madness. Each time I visit this play, there is at least one line that takes on new significance. This year, I have been contemplating Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s suicide. It is here, in Act 5, Scene 5, that we encounter a deeply humanised Macbeth through his haunting words: "she should have died hereafter." One of the reasons I have been drawn to this moment and this line is because it is contended that it illustrates the inverse of what I perceive to be a human moment. Instead, it is often argued that Macbeth's subdued reaction reflects his lack of humanity, that it is a sign of his indifference and yet another demonstration of his monstrosity. For me, what I see in this scene is a layered portrayal of a character who, despite his monstrous actions, is acutely aware of all he has lost and what he has become. It is a quiet lamentation that is infused with bitterness, resignation and a sad portrayal of a human devoid of hope and promise.
The Weight of "Hereafter"
When Macbeth utters "she should have died hereafter," it’s as though the weight of his actions and the futility of his ambition finally crush him. What we experience as an audience in this moment is a profound shift in Macbeth’s character. Gone is the man consumed by the lust for power, and replaced by one who sees life as inherently meaningless. The phrase "hereafter" suggests that there might have been a more appropriate time for Lady Macbeth’s death, a moment when her demise could have been mourned with the respect and sorrow it deserved. Instead, it comes amidst chaos, rendering it almost insignificant in the grand scheme of his rapidly disintegrating world. No doubt he also mourns the loss of a life he might have shared with his wife, a life where he may have seen who she might still have become.
Nihilism and Defeat
This line also captures Macbeth’s descent into nihilism. His subsequent soliloquy, where he describes life as "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing," reinforces the bleakness of his worldview and the weariness of his soul. Macbeth, once so driven by prophecy and ambition, now perceives the futility of his struggles and the emptiness of his victories. The repetition of despairing thoughts in these lines emphasises his complete emotional and psychological collapse. In addition to this despairing imagery and metaphors, there is a tangible change in momentum in which the pace of Macbeth’s speech itself is slowed down. The lumbering pace of this introspection contrasts with his earlier monologues in which earnestness is replaced with apathy.
Humanising the Tyrant
What is notable here is how this moment humanises Macbeth in a way we haven’t seen in the early acts of the play. Up until this point, Macbeth’s actions have alienated us; his decision to murder King Duncan, his betrayal of Banquo, his merciless slaughter of Macduff’s family, and his tyrannical rule paint him as a figure driven by murderous ambition and paranoia. But in expressing sorrow, even if it’s tinged with nihilism, Macbeth becomes more relatable again. We see him not just as a villain, but as a man grappling with the consequences of his own deeds. The sorrow and regret in his words offer a glimpse of the person he might have been had he not succumbed to his darker impulses.
The Power of Despair
It is this despair that makes Macbeth’s character so compelling. His acknowledgment of life’s transient nature and the futility of his own actions force us to confront our own fears and uncertainties. Shakespeare masterfully uses this moment to evoke sympathy for his anti-hero, making us ponder the destructive potential of our own choices and the human capacity for self-reflection, even in the darkest of times. Perhaps we even witness a man whose detachment to the horrors that surround him is an insight into his paralysed suffering, a suffering that renders him incapable of expressing emotion.
Final Thoughts
In teaching Macbeth, I think it’s crucial to explore these complexities. Such is the genius of the playwright that we are able to offer unique and varied interpretations that each hold true. When discussing this scene with students, encourage them to consider their own interpretation of this moment. How do they respond to Macbeth’s reaction? What does this signify to them and why? Have they ever felt crushed by the weight of their own choices? Have they ever felt so overcome by emotion that they could not express it? By delving into Macbeth’s psyche, we not only better understand his character, but also the power of choice and the far-reaching consequences that such choices present.
