Macbeth And The Novel Light Thickens Essay, Research Paper

In the novel Light Thickens the director claims Macbeth is a ?falling star. A magnificent, violently ambitious being destroyed by his own imagination. It?s a cosmic collapse. Monstrous events attend it. The heavens themselves are in revolt.? This assessment of Macbeth?s downfall is correct. He was the cause of his own demise. This was because of his imagination, and the immediate repercussions of his action. The supernatural events that paralleled and nature?s twisted acts on Scotland.

Macbeth?s imagination was a leading factor in his demise. His mind overruled him too often. He believed that the images his imagination portrayed were true. As he contemplates the murder of Duncan, he cries, ?Is this a dagger which I see before me? The handle toward my hand? Come let me clutch thee: – I have thee not, and yet I see thee still? (2.1.33-35). Instead of taking this as a bad omen, he believes that this is what he?s meant to do. In truth, his imagination was reflecting his struggle with conscience.

Supernatural events played along with Macbeth?s imagination. A major Supernatural force in the play were the witches. The witches brought Macbeth images of the future, which fed his imagination further. The witches address him as Thane of Cawdor, which he was. Then as ?Thane of Cawdor?{and} king hereafter? (1.1.49-50). They also lead Macbeth into a false sense of security. They conjure spirits, who tell Macbeth to ?beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife.? (1.2.12-12). With the other premonitions Macbeth dismisses the first. He is told that no man of woman born will harm him, and he will not fall until Burnam wood reaches Dunsinane. Macbeth feels that these are outrageous premonitions and dismisses that he will ever fall. He feels he can not be overthrown. The irony is that the predictions come true, and Macbeth is still defeated.

The feeling that Macbeth should not hold the crown is clear from the time of Duncan?s death. A feeling of unsettlement runs through the land. ?A falcon, towering in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at, and killed.? (2.4.12-13). Nature is acting backwards. The falcon should have easily killed the owl. This is unnatural. As well, daylight has refused to shine over Scotland. The sun is ashamed to shine after the deed that has been done (Duncan?s death). ?It?s night?s predominance, or the day?s shame, That darkness does the face of Earth entomb? (2.4.7-8). This shows how the heavens, through nature are revolting.

Macbeth?s imagination, tied with supernatural events and a revolt of nature brought him to his death. If Macbeth had let fate run its course and not helped it along, he could have been capable of great good. He also could have made a wonderful king, like Duncan.