Macbeth Group

Question:

blueberrymuffins
blueberrymuf...

How does Shakespeare's construction of "Macbeth" support his cynical view of reality?

Based on Act 4 Scene 2.  To what extent does the composition of this scene support this? 

Rate question:

Posted by blueberrymuffins on Saturday October 25, 2008 at 8:21 PM and tagged with macbeth, reality, style, theme.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Reality is perception, as we clearly see in this scene.  Lady Macduff rails against her husband for his family alone.  She portrays her husband as a coward for doing so, not recognizing that he is bravely seeking help for his country when he could just be helping himself.

    He had none;
    His flight was madness. When our actions do not,
    Our fears do make us traitors,

    She believes that her husband does not love because he has run.  In truth, however, Macduff's love is so broad and deep that he is willing to sacrifice for the greater good.  The falseness of her perception is shown in the quarrel with her son, who will not accept her portrayal of his father.

    However, the way this scene is set up shows us that even "false" perceptions are a representation of real events.  Though Macduff may love his family, and though he may be a hero and not a coward, Lady Macduff's complaints prove reasonable.  She and her son are attacked by Macbeth's men and killed - and Macduff, who "fled" to England, is spared.  Had Shakespeare not presented this exchange in the first part of the scene, but had only shown the murder of the family, then the commentary would have been lost.  Sure, Macduff is a hero to his country - but Shakespeare cynically points out that he is also a traitor to his family. 

    As, by the way, was Macbeth - who fought bravely for his country in battle but then killed his own cousin in order to gain  the crown.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-iv-summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by sullymonster on Monday October 27, 2008 at 5:46 PM