Naveen Kumar
Written by William Shakespeare, “Macbeth” is a tragic play consisting of five acts. It was penned sometime in 1606–07 and eventually published in the First Folio of 1623, derived from a playbook or a transcript of one. The play recounts the story of Macbeth’s ascent to power and his subsequent downfall due to his unquenchable ambition. Notably, “Macbeth” is the briefest among Shakespeare’s tragedies and lacks diversions or subplots, focusing sharply on the protagonist’s journey from rise to ruin.
The narrative unfolds with Macbeth and Banquo, serving as generals under King Duncan of Scotland, encountering the enigmatic Weird Sisters. These figures predict that Macbeth will first become thane of Cawdor, then ascend to the throne, while also prophesying that Banquo will be the forefather of kings. As events progress, Macbeth is appointed thane of Cawdor, aligning with the witches’ prediction and fueling his belief in the rest of the prophecy. With King Duncan’s imminent visit to Macbeth’s castle of Dunsinane at Inverness to honor him, Macbeth and his ambitious wife recognize the opportune moment to execute their longstanding plan of regicide. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth murders Duncan, and the heinous act is unearthed when Macduff, the thane of Fife, arrives to summon the king. Subsequently, Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country out of fear for their lives, inadvertently inculpating themselves in the crime and enabling Macbeth to assume the throne.
Troubled by the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants, rather than his own offspring, will inherit the throne, Macbeth orchestrates the demise of Banquo, although Banquo’s son Fleance manages to evade the fatal fate. Haunted by Banquo’s apparition, Macbeth grapples with inner turmoil, while Lady Macbeth descends into madness induced by her overwhelming guilt. Despite the witches’ assurances to Macbeth that he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane and that he cannot be harmed by anyone ‘of woman born,’ his paranoia leads him to order the massacre of Macduff’s wife and children upon learning of Macduff’s allegiance to Malcolm’s army. As the opposing forces, utilizing branches from Birnam Wood as camouflage, advance towards Dunsinane, Macbeth witnesses the realization of the prophecy—Birnam Wood does approach Dunsinane. Subsequently, Lady Macbeth meets her demise, and Macbeth, despite his desperate attempts to defy fate, perishes in battle at the hands of Macduff, who, having been ‘untimely ripped from his mother’s womb’ via cesarean section, defies the clause of being born ‘of woman.’ Ultimately, Malcolm ascends to the throne, establishing the rightful rule.
