Assignment 101 : Artistic Liberties in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: A Detailed Analysis of Historical vs. Literary Macbeth

 Assignment 101 : Artistic Liberties in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: A Detailed Analysis of Historical vs. Literary Macbeth

This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 101 - Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration Periods, Sem - 1, 2024

Table of Contents:-

• Personal Information
• Assignment Details
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• The Character of Banquo: Virtue or Political Symbol?
•  The Supernatural Elements: Witches and Prophecies
•  Lady Macbeth: Power and Manipulation
•  Macbeth’s Descent into Madness
• The Character of Macbeth: From Hero to Villain
•  Fate vs. Free Will: The Tragic Tension
• The Role of Violence and Tyranny
• Conclusion
• References

Personal Information:

Name:- Trupti Hadiya

Batch:- M.A. Sem 1 (2024-2025)

Enrollment Number:- 5108240013

E-mail Address:hadiyatrupti55@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 32

Assignment Details:-

Topic:Artistic Liberties in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: A Detailed Analysis of Historical vs. Literary Macbeth

Paper & subject code:-101-Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration Periods & 22392

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Date of Submission:- 20 November 2024

Abstract:

This paper examines the artistic liberties William Shakespeare took in Macbeth, particularly his departure from historical facts to create a more dramatic and thematic narrative. It contrasts the real Macbeth, a Scottish king with a less sinister reputation, with the fictionalized version presented in the play, where Macbeth is portrayed as a ruthless, ambitious murderer. Key alterations include the sequence of King Duncan’s murder, the fictional role of Banquo’s ghost, and the witch's prophecies. These changes are analyzed in the context of Shakespeare’s exploration of ambition, fate, and guilt, ultimately revealing how these artistic choices deepen the psychological complexity and moral consequences of Macbeth's actions.

Keywords: Artistic Liberties, Macbeth’s Psychological Descent, Supernatural Elements, Ambition and Power, Fate and Free Will. 

Introduction:

Shakespeare's Macbeth stands as one of the most powerful tragedies in English literature, delving into the complexities of ambition, guilt, and power. While inspired by historical events, Shakespeare takes significant artistic liberties to create a more compelling and dramatic narrative. The real Macbeth was a Scottish king whose reign was marked by political conflict, but he was far from the villainous figure depicted in the play. Shakespeare transforms Macbeth into a tragic hero, driven by unchecked ambition, whose moral decline is marked by the murder of King Duncan and the haunting presence of Banquo's ghost. Key historical events, such as the murder sequence and the role of supernatural elements like the witches' prophecies, are altered to serve the play’s central themes of fate, free will, and the corrupting nature of power. Through these changes, Shakespeare not only dramatizes the internal struggles of Macbeth but also explores timeless themes that continue to resonate with audiences today.

Artistic Liberties in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: A Detailed Analysis of Historical vs. Literary Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is one of the most celebrated tragedies in the history of English literature. Though based on historical events, Shakespeare takes significant artistic liberties with the character of Macbeth and the surrounding elements of the story. These liberties not only transform the historical Macbeth into a complex tragic figure but also enable Shakespeare to explore deeper psychological, political, and moral themes. In this analysis, we will examine these artistic liberties in-depth, comparing the historical Macbeth with Shakespeare's version, and providing specific examples from the text that highlight how Shakespeare altered the facts to create a timeless tragedy.

1. The Character of Banquo: Virtue or Political Symbol?

Historical Banquo

In the historical accounts, notably Holinshed’s Chronicles, Banquo was an ancestor of James I, the king of England during Shakespeare's time. While the historical Banquo is mentioned briefly, he is far from the virtuous character depicted in Shakespeare’s play. He is portrayed as a more politically neutral figure, neither as innocent nor virtuous as Shakespeare’s Banquo.

Shakespeare’s Artistic Liberty

Shakespeare takes considerable artistic liberty with Banquo’s character, transforming him into a symbol of virtue, honour, and moral integrity. In the play, Banquo is portrayed as Macbeth's foil. Where Macbeth is ambitious, treacherous, and morally corrupt, Banquo remains loyal and honourable. This contrast enhances the tragic fall of Macbeth by positioning him against Banquo’s unyielding morality.

Political Motive

One possible reason Shakespeare chose to depict Banquo in this light is his political connection to James I, who believed himself to be a descendant of Banquo. By making Banquo a noble, virtuous character, Shakespeare not only flattered the king but also bolstered the legitimacy of his reign.

Famous Example:

In Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 3), the witches hail Banquo with the words:

“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (The witches’ prophecy, but they also prophesy that Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne.)

This prophecy foreshadows Banquo’s enduring legacy, even after his death. Shakespeare uses Banquo’s noble bloodline as a way to reflect on fate, destiny, and the idea of virtuous legacy.

Banquo’s Ghost

The haunting of Macbeth by Banquo’s ghost in Act 3, Scene 4 is another major artistic alteration. Shakespeare turns Banquo's death into an emotional, supernatural experience that symbolizes Macbeth’s guilt and internal turmoil, rather than a political or military casualty. This manipulation serves to amplify the psychological conflict in Macbeth’s character.

Famous Line:

In Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth, disturbed by the sight of Banquo’s ghost, exclaims:

“Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!”

Banquo’s ghost symbolises Macbeth's creeping paranoia and guilt, adding a layer of supernatural horror that enhances the tragedy.

2. The Supernatural Elements: Witches and Prophecies

One of the most striking aspects of Macbeth is it's supernatural elements. Shakespeare introduces three witches who prophesy Macbeth’s rise to power and eventual downfall. These supernatural beings play a crucial role in the development of the plot, and Shakespeare’s portrayal of them departs from their historical counterparts.

In the historical Macbeth, the influence of witches and prophecy is minimal. However, Shakespeare amplifies their role to explore themes of fate and free will. The witches’ cryptic predictions ignite Macbeth’s ambition, yet their words are ultimately self-fulfilling. This introduces a complex dynamic between the character’s actions and the forces of destiny. Macbeth believes he is fated to become king, yet his actions encouraged by the witches lead him to his own destruction.

One famous quote from the witches is:

"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (Act 1, Scene 3).

This prophecy sets the stage for Macbeth’s tragic fall, showing how his desire for power blinds him to the moral and psychological consequences of his actions.

3. Lady Macbeth: Power and Manipulation

Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and complex female characters. Her manipulation of her husband is central to the plot, pushing him to murder King Duncan. She questions his masculinity and ambition, urging him to seize power at any cost.

"What’s done is done" (Act 3, Scene 2), Lady Macbeth declares, after the murder is committed, indicating her hardening resolve in the face of the consequences.

In the historical Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's influence is less pronounced, but Shakespeare exaggerates her role to underline the theme of ambition. Her character is not just a manipulative wife; she is a tragic figure who, like Macbeth, succumbs to guilt. The sleepwalking scene in Act 5, where Lady Macbeth is tormented by her conscience, reveals the psychological toll of their actions.

In her famous sleepwalking scene, Lady Macbeth says:

"Out, damned spot! out, I say!" (Act 5, Scene 1),

demonstrating how guilt manifests physically and mentally. Shakespeare's depiction of her descent into madness underscores the destructive power of unchecked ambition and moral corruption.

4. Macbeth’s Descent into Madness

Shakespeare takes artistic liberty in portraying Macbeth’s gradual descent into madness. Initially, Macbeth is a heroic warrior, celebrated for his bravery in battle. His first soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7, reveals his internal conflict regarding the murder of King Duncan:

"If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly; if the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success..."

Macbeth is aware of the moral and political consequences of his actions but is driven by ambition and his wife’s urgings to commit the murder. Once he kills Duncan, Macbeth’s mind spirals out of control. His hallucinations, including the vision of a bloody dagger and Banquo’s ghost, are key examples of Shakespeare’s dramatic liberties. These supernatural visions symbolise Macbeth’s guilt and paranoia, which push him further into madness.

In the historical Macbeth, there is no clear record of such mental deterioration. Shakespeare, however, uses this descent into madness to deepen the psychological complexity of his protagonist. The chaos within Macbeth mirrors the political and social upheaval that results from his tyrannical reign.

5. The Character of Macbeth: From Hero to Villain

Macbeth’s transformation from a hero to a villain is one of the central aspects of the play. When he first appears, he is celebrated for his bravery in battle. However, after his encounter with the witches, his unchecked ambition leads him to commit murder and seize the throne. Shakespeare uses this internal conflict to show the corrupting power of ambition.

In Act 1, Scene 2, Macbeth is described by Duncan as “valiant,” showing his initial heroic status. However, as he embraces his darker desires, he transitions into a tyrant, ordering the deaths of Banquo and others to secure his position. By the end of the play, Macbeth’s conscience is completely overridden by his ambition.

"I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." (Act 3, Scene 4).

This famous line reveals how Macbeth’s path of violence has become all-consuming, showing his complete transformation into a villain.

6. Fate vs. Free Will: The Tragic Tension

The conflict between fate and free will is another significant theme in Macbeth. While the witches’ prophecies suggest a sense of inevitability, it is Macbeth’s actions driven by his own ambition that lead to his downfall. Shakespeare highlights the tension between the external forces of fate and the individual’s ability to make choices.

For instance, Macbeth believes that his destiny is sealed by the witches’ prophecy, but he also makes the conscious decision to murder Duncan. In Act 1, Scene 3, when Macbeth first hears the prophecy, he is struck by the possibility of becoming king, but his subsequent actions demonstrate that he has the power to shape his fate, even if it leads to tragedy.

"If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir." (Act 1, Scene 3).

This line shows Macbeth’s initial hesitation, but later, his actions reveal his determination to control his destiny through violence.

The tension between fate and free will also reflects the larger philosophical questions about human agency. Macbeth’s downfall suggests that while we may be influenced by external forces, it is ultimately our own choices that define our fate.

7. The Role of Violence and Tyranny

Violence and tyranny are pervasive throughout Macbeth. Macbeth’s reign is marked by brutal violence, from the murder of Duncan to the slaughter of Banquo and others. Shakespeare uses violence to show the corrupting influence of power and ambition. Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan is not just a political act; it is a manifestation of his moral corruption and the breakdown of social order.

In Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth reflects on his tyranny:

"We have scorched the snake, not killed it."

This line reveals his growing paranoia and guilt. Despite achieving power, he is consumed by fear and insecurity, constantly resorting to violence to maintain control.

In the historical account, Macbeth’s reign was indeed marked by bloodshed, but Shakespeare exaggerates the violence to underscore the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition.

Conclusion:

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a powerful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural. While the play is loosely based on historical events, Shakespeare takes significant artistic liberties to create a story that resonates with universal themes. By altering the historical Macbeth and focusing on the psychological and moral consequences of ambition, Shakespeare crafts a tragedy that is not only a reflection of its time but also a timeless exploration of human nature.

References:

Barad, Dilip. "Macbeth." Dilip Barad's Blog, 2020, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2020/12/macbeth.html.

“Macbeth by William Shakespeare.” Project Gutenberg, 18 Jan. 2024, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1533.

https://www.scotland.org.uk/history/time-macbeth

Words:-2080

Images :4