Shakespeare’s Macbeth explores the consequences that result from rejecting nature by using literary devices such as Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s characterisation, the nature of the play and its setting. Shakespeare uses recurring dark themes, stage directions, and soliloquys to establish corruption and instability in the world. He uses the Jacobean audience to show the social consequences of “unnatural actions” and to scare them. In the final act, the dark motif is repeated to show the devastation and violence caused by the regicide. The Restoration acts contrast Scotland’s hell-like scene with serene images set in England to remind viewers about a society of peace and order led by their rightful king.
Shakespeare shows how committing an unnatural crime will lead to someone losing their rationality, and being tormented for it. The recurring themes of blood and disease show the guilt of Lady Macbeth, who had a part in the murder of King Duncan. Shakespeare’s recurring motif of “blood” is used to emphasize the guilt of the characters due to Lady Macbeths cruelty as they try to conceal their remorse for their sinful crimes. Shakespeare presents the results of rejecting the order of nature by using these themes, for example Lady Macbeths unnatural behaviour and her “infected mentality”. The guilt of Lady Macbeth will not be erased by the “all the fragrances of Arabia” she uses to try and remove the blood stain. Lady Macbeth, who is sleepingwalking, appears to wash her hands as she cries out “Out! Damned spot!” Shakespeare uses sleep and dreams to represent her guilt as she slept. As she sleepwalks she remembers the events surrounding the murders Banquo, Duncan, and Lady Macduff. “Unnatural acts breed unnatural trouble”, says the doctor, suggesting that Lady Macbeth is suffering from a disorder caused by her involvement in unnatural crimes. She is having a hallucination due to her conscience. Those like her often confess their wrongdoings before things they cannot hear in order to relieve themselves of their guilt.
Shakespeare shows how regicide can lead to guilt and a loss of perspective. Macbeth’s guilty conscience is shown by the recurring symbols of blood, daggers and flying swords. Shakespeare depicts Macbeths guilty conscience as so powerful that Macbeth loses all sense of reality. He has lost his sanity because of the act he committed against nature. Macbeths assures himself that Banquo truly is dead. Macbeth shows that his ill-health consciousness is causing his insanity. Shakespeare’s recurring theme of ‘blood,’ symbolizes Macbeth’s mental and spiritual torment and guilt. Macbeth realizes how horrifying his actions were in order for him to achieve the ultimate goal. He warns Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth of the vengeance that will be sought by those who have died. They say, “There will be blood.” Blood will contain blood. Shakespeare uses dramatic words to convey that the blood “could stain every ocean in the world red” and that its consequences are not easily hidden, even if Lady Macbeth believes that he can wash away the ‘blood.’ Macbeth’s ‘unnatural acts’ will change him forever. Macbeths shame is seen as keeping him from the power he wanted so badly. “While I watch the gashes, it is better to do so”. Macbeth, in his attempt to cover-up his crimes and to avoid being found out, commits more murders.
Shakespeare uses a pathetic fallacy in order to show Jacobean audiences the effects of rejecting nature’s order. Dark imagery, which is repeated throughout the play, shows that dark forces are present in Scotland. Duncan’s death occurred at a time when the natural landscape was eerily different. It is impossible for a “mouse to have killed a Falcon” as it should be the falcon who kills the mouse. This shows the chaos, corruption and violence among animals. The owl shrieks just before the murder. Shakespeare uses nature in order to show his audience that Duncan’s murder was unethical. The nature even rebels. Macbeth reigned as king, and chaos spread among the animals. Duncan’s horse were among those who reportedly ate eachother. The chaos of real life can be reflected in such unnatural incidents. Shakespeare uses examples of “black” birks or “crows” to represent death. Lady Macbeth was predicting an evil event that would soon occur. Macbeth’s just ordered Banquo’s execution. Also, Lady Macduff is murdered by using animal imagery “the poorest of birds”, the wren. Shakespeare uses foreshadowing as a literary tool to illustrate the link between humans and animals. Scotland has been in a state of darkness or ‘night’ since Duncan’s death. The constant repetitions of ‘night highlight the darkness which surrounds Scotland within the world of this play.
Shakespeare illustrates the consequences that result from rejecting the order of nature in the play’s resolution by contrasting chaotic and hellish conditions in Scotland to calm, orderly and serene states in England. Shakespeare changes the scene quickly in order to show how the two states are different. He contrasts the serene natural imagery of England with the dark, unnatural imagery of Dunsinane. The play opens as the witches are caught in a violent storm. The play opens with no sunlight, which creates a dark atmosphere from the very beginning. Macbeth switches from his castle at Inverness to Dunsinane during the play. Macbeth has brought about chaos in Duninaine’s physical description. The description of Macbeth’s’seyton symbol’ and who is inside the castle leads the audience to believe that Dunsainane is dark and hellish. Malcom describes the place as a place that was shrouded by darkness using dark, unnatural images. In contrast to the chaos of Scotland, and the order of England, Malcom shows how rejecting natural order has consequences. . King Edward is gracious and liked by many, “that speaks him full of Grace”. King Edward’s character is that of a benevolent, loving ruler who has the love of God and his people. He has been given the gift of healing and has been blessed by God. Macbeth has no gifts and is not in God’s favor. Macbeth’s ambition is what has cursed him. King Edward, on the other hand, seeks help by the heavens. These two settings show the result of rejecting nature’s order. Scotland is in a state of disorder, while England is orderly.
Shakespeare shows the Jacobian audience in Macbeth the destructive consequences that rejecting the natural world order can have on individuals as well as the entire planet. Macbeth & Lady Macbeth are most often depicted as a result of the rejection of natural order. Also, in nature & the contrast of Scotland vs England. Shakespeare uses literary techniques like soliloquys to express the disorder in Scotland. Shakespeare wants audiences to remember the importance of a peaceful, orderly society with a king who is right. He shows how the society will suffer if it does not fear the destruction that comes from “unnatural” acts.
