“‘Worthy Macbeth’ Unworthy of Sympathy”: the Lack of Sympathy for Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Macbeth, written by playwright William Shakespeare, is one of the most famous and beloved plays of all time. The play, a tragedy revolving around the tragic hero Macbeth, is about a regicide and its aftermath taking place in Scotland. The play begins with Macbeth along with his best friend and fellow nobleman, Banquo, successfully defeating two separate armies from Ireland and Norway respectively. On their journey home, Macbeth and Banquo encounter three witches who make prophecies to them. Macbeth is promised to become the Thane of Cawdor, and astonishingly, the King of Scotland. The witches also make incredible promises to Banquo: “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.67). The witches promptly disappear after revealing their prophecies, leaving Macbeth and Banquo to figure it all out. Macbeth and Banquo interpret the prophecies drastically differently, and it results in their divergent paths as the play unfolds. Macbeth ardently desires to become king, and, unlike Banquo, the witches’ promise kindles his ambition. He murderers Duncan, and usurps the King of Scotland. The witches do fulfill their promise, but Macbeth has a turbulent and very brief reign. He fears that Banquo’s prophecy will also be fulfilled, so Macbeth murders his former friend and attempts to murder his son, Fleance. It is futile effort, as Banquo’s line eventually does inherit the throne. Macbeth, in contrast, ultimately loses everything that he holds dear, including his reputation, family, friends, supporters, his judicious sense, and most importantly, his own life is sacrificed in his fervent royal quest. Such adverse fortunes are customary in tragedies like Macbeth, but quite dissimilar to other tragedies is how the audience of Macbeth is not compelled to lament for the tragic hero, Macbeth. However, Shakespeare does make a persistent, yet ultimately vain attempt to generate sorrow for Macbeth. Shakespeare emphasizes Macbeth’s tragic flaw, clarifies that Macbeth is the victim of