October 23, 2011

Genevieve's Thoughts on Macbeth

I must say that reading it as an adult after joining the church was a much different experience from reading it as a non-member teen! While I remember a lot from performing in it then, I also remember being more into scary movies and more "desensitized" than I am now that I can create my own little bubble. I didn't remember Lady M being quite so creepy and evil, just crazy. Here are a few things that I remember coming to my mind:

1.The whole "fair is foul and foul is fair" theme that frequently pops up reminds me of (paraphrased) in the last days men shall call evil good and good evil.

2.The idea that even a good man, which Macbeth started out as, can become corrupt. No one is immune to temptation.

3.The question is that "would Macbeth have become king/ tyrant/ assassinated had he not known of the prophecy? (I know this is a common question, but it still intrigues me.) If he had let events run their course without the deceptions, would he have become king and perhaps been a better ruler and for a longer period of time?

4.It is amazing the fallacies that Macbeth has throughout. While he is willing to believe and realize the prophecy of him becoming king, he continues to try and undo the other things that have been prophecied... to no avail. It's like those people who spend their lives tearing down others only to find themselves alone and unhappy, which we see a lot of in the world today. Also, that while he bids the martyrs to heaven, he rarely contemplates his own eternal fate or consequence.

Thanks! Even though I wasn't able to come, it was nice having an excuse to read Shakespeare again.

5 comments:

Angela Hooper said...

This is a wonderful group. I am currently in a Shakespeare class at BYU and have been studying Macbeth. You really hit the main points of the play and asked some key questions. I believe that Shakespeare failed to answer these questions himself because he knew the importance of discovery and finding truth oneself rather than simply being taught truths. He opens it up for the audience to ponder these questions.

Also, I like your point about Macbeth bidding the martyrs to heaven, but never himself. I believe this is because deep down he knows his doomed fate. It is another theme that is strong in Shakespeare - that evil acts are still evil no matter the justification. You cannot do anything without having to face the effects (whether they be good or bad).

I also have a blog about the different Shakespearean plays we have been reading. I also have a post asking some of the same things you have asked in your 3rd point. The link is http://grimesangela232.blogspot.com/2011/10/friend-or-foe.html

Thank you for your dedication to learning and to this amazing group of women.

Emma said...

Thanks for the feedback. How did you find our web page? We love to continue learning and are so excited to find like-minded people too.

Angela Hooper said...

I was actually doing a blog search on Macbeth in order to find what other people were saying about it. I was really happy to have stumbled upon your blog. It was one of the first comments about Macbeth that wasn't a frustrated high school student.

I'm glad your group has expanded past simply meeting with each other, but has started using technology to share your insights and opinions with others. It's a great way to positively use this technology!

Angela Hooper said...

Also, do you mind if I share a link to your post on my own blog post?

Emma said...

sure