Macbeth's Theme: Violence Begets Violence and Will Ultimately Lead to Self-Destruction

Introduction: The Theme of Violence Begets Violence and Self-Destruction in "Macbeth"

As the play "Macbeth" begins, the theme "violence begets violence and will ultimately lead to self-destruction" is among the main themes in Macbeth as it finds its most powerful expression through the use of two major characters. Through the detail of the first act of the play, it begins by depicting the various possibilities of violence. For example, we see the characters (Macbeth and Banquo) as they return home from battle (violence) they meet three witches that predict Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and the king of Scotland which correspondingly push Macbeth into contemplating how to murder Duncan, the kind Scotland. As the first act winds up, the plot introduces characters like Lady Macbeth who on the other hand taunts Macbeth by telling him that "he will be a man only if he kills Duncan." Macbeth is inclined to commit an evil deed, yet he greatly desires advancement and power. Later on, Macbeth kills Duncan against his better judgment which stews in guilt and self-destruction afterward. Towards the conclusion of the play, Macbeth leads into self-destruction of boastful madness while on the other hand, Lady Macbeth pursues her ambitions and desires with major determination yet she is less capable of withstanding the consequence of her immoral actions which lead her to self-destruction (Leggatt, 2006).

The Role of Characters in Portraying the Theme

In the plot and character of the play, Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth to deliver the theme of violence begetting violence which ultimately leads to self-destruction. For instance, Lady Macbeth is driven into distraction as a result of Macbeth's repeated bloodshed on her conscience. Under the involvement of this theme to the occurrences of power, Shakespeare suggests that the couple indulges into more atrocities which create a potential for more violence. The events of self-destruction and remorse are evident in the plot for example after Macbeth stabs Duncan he exclaims, "Will all the great Neptune's ocean wash this blood from my hand?" (Shakespeare, Act 2 Scene 1). Also, Lady Macbeth seems plagued by a "spot" that she cannot clean from her hand (Shakespeare, Act 5 Scene 1). The events of violence deliver a sense of guilt to lady Macbeth which later leads her to her death by committing suicide while on the other hand, Macbeth's madness gets him kills by Macduff, a nobleman at the end of the play. Through the occurrence for example by exclamations made by Macbeth, they deliver on the use of tone and figurative language by Shakespeare to deliver the occurrences on the theme of violence begetting violence which ultimately leads to self-destruction. Moreover, there are also other occurrences of irony as lady Macbeth mentions a "spot" while Macbeth mentions the great Neptune's ocean that also implies on symbolism.

Motifs and Symbolism in Conveying the Theme

Furthermore, Shakespeare maintains the use of motifs to deliver the information surrounding the theme of violence betting violence which leads to self-destruction. For example, there is the motif of light and darkness meant to represent innocence and evil which is evident in (Act 1 Scene 4) "stars, hid your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires." Also, there is the motif of blood which represents evil plans and the consequences of overreaching individual ambitions. The motif of blood is evident in (Act 1 Scene 5) "make thick my blood" and (Act 5 scene 1) "Here is the smell of blood still." On the other hand, there is the motif of visions which represent the extensions of a guilty conscience as seen in (Shakespeare, Act 5 Scene 7) "my wife and children's ghosts will still haunt me." Similarly, the involvement of the motifs delivers an equal representation in symbolism. And blood represents the guilt and repercussions experienced by Macbeth and his wife concerning Duncan's murder while water is also meant to symbolize the purification of a guilty conscience. The symbols deliver an effective portray of the ominous theme of violence begetting violence and ultimately lead to self-destruction.

Effectiveness of Shakespeare's Communication of the Theme

Nonetheless, based on my analysis of the theme of violence begets violence and will ultimately lead to self-destruction in the play, Shakespeare effectively communicates the theme through his literary writing. For example in consideration to the plot of the drama, the characters and motifs along with other literary devices, employed in the play, Shakespeare ensures that the audience not only follows the plot of the scene but also get to understand what is happening and the reasons behind every event. As Shakespeare uses the different characters (such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Duncan, Macduff, Malcolm, and the Weird Sisters), he seeks to ensure that information within the writing is delivered in a sequential manner describing the involvement in each Act and Scene of the play. Thus, performs on the effectiveness of Shakespeare in communicating the universal theme through the play.

Conclusion

To sum everything up, this play and its ideas are relevant in our world and society today. In the current community, the need for power and money has transpired to a different occurrence of violence. However, one incident of violence leads to another thus elaborating on the happening about how violence begets violence. In most of the cases, the existence of violence leads to self-destruction. Similarly, this play and its theme are relevant in the society today since it depicts on the circumstances of violence and the repercussions that occur as seen in the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Works Cited

Leggatt, Alexander, ed. William Shakespeare's Macbeth: a sourcebook. Taylor & Francis, 2006.

Shakespeare, William, and Arthur Wilson Verity. Macbeth. At the University Press, 1901.