Representation of Murder and Evil in Macbeth

William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth tells the story of the rise and tragic fall of the Scottish general Macbeth, beginning with his ambition and lust for power. It is the first Jacobean play written during King James's reign. In Macbeth, murder and evil are explored in depth through both direct actions and the internal struggles of the characters. These themes are used to explore individual moral corruption, the destructive effects of the desire for authority, and the darker aspects of human nature.

Macbeth is a play that is seen as Shakespeare's vision of evil based on greed and determination. Moreover, his understanding of the difficulty of human nature is indicated through the character of Macbeth. In this play, Shakespeare presents the outspread influence of evil on the world. Ambitious minds drive people to commit the most—not only man and state but also family and the physical universe. In Macbeth, unlike other plays of Shakespeare, the evil is transferred from the villains to the hero and the heroine. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a very successful and prestigious member of a social group. As the play opens, the audience learns of his heroic actions to defend the kingdom. However, he was captured by evil and crime.

The play begins with three witches telling Macbeth that he will be king and Banquo will be the ancestor of kings. This prophecy shapes Macbeth's fate. These three witches sabotaged his mind and made him believe he would become king. Moreover, his human emotions gradually disappeared, and he eventually became an unnatural man. Macbeth was disconnected from humanity and God. As his bond with humanity weakens, his will to live also becomes poorer. Macbeth decides to seize the throne by killing King Duncan. However, the hesitation and guilt he experienced before the murder show the destructive effects of evil on the human soul. The following words of Macbeth reveal the gravity of the murder and the earthly and spiritual consequences of this act:

“When the job is done, this terrible crime will tie me up with a net and torment me forever.”

Lady Macbeth also plays a big role in the murder scene. Her encouragement and urging of Macbeth to act "like a man" shows that evil is not just an individual matter but that others can also contribute to it. After the murder, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's moods worsen. Macbeth says, "Sleep is forbidden to me now," indicating how regret overtakes him. Murder is depicted as not only a physical act but also a mental devastation. Lady Macbeth's hand-washing scene is also important in this context. She constantly tries to wash her hands and wonders, "Won't that cursed stain come off?" she shouts. This shows how the murder left a scar on her mind and how evil eats away at her soul.

At the same time, by associating murder and evil with nature, Shakespeare expresses that these actions disrupt not only an individual but a universal order. After Duncan's death, supernatural events occur, such as storms and horses eating each other. This implies that evil is a force that affects not only humans but the entire world. Lady Macbeth's insanity and suicide are another tragic consequence of sin. Initially seen as a powerful manipulator, Lady Macbeth is eventually brought down by her conscience. This shows that evil has devastating effects on both the perpetrator and the victim in the long run. At the end of the play, Macbeth is completely alone and a victim of his evil.

Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare presents murder and evil as both personal and social degradation. Evil combines with the characters' desires and weaknesses to create greater destruction. The connections between nature, moods, and moral decadence contribute to the in-depth treatment of these themes. In this context, Macbeth is a remarkable examination of evil, both in terms of action and consequences. It is considered one of Shakespeare's most important tragedies with its poetic language and strong themes.

Source:

Shakespeare, W. (Çev. S. Eyüboğlu). 2019. Macbeth. Istanbul: Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür Yayınları.