“That would make good of bad and friends of foes” (Macbeth, Act II, Sc. IV, line 41)
This was the last line of Act II and I found it intriguing how it was a line of paradox, good to bad, friend to foe, and I think it really relates to the whole act itself. Macbeth has killed Duncan and this brings chaos and disorder as the characters are all suspicious and afraid. After the killing of Duncan the chaos can be seen as Ross says, “By th’ clock ‘tis day, and yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp” (Macbeth, Act II, Sc. IV, line 6-7) this shows that it’s dark despite the day which is paradoxical and inverted, then the the Old Man says, “Tis unnatural… A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed” (Macbeth, Act II, Sc. IV, line 10-13), then Ross speaks again, now about his horses, “turned wild in nature… Contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind” (Macbeth, Act II, Sc. IV, line 16-18). The examples show unnatural images as an owl eats the hawk, and the horses turn wild and against man when horses and man are actually supposed to have a tame and friendly relationship. Everything explained in those quotes are unnatural just like the killing of Duncan because nobody knows who did it and it’s a disruption of order in terms of hierarchy and society because in society murder is seen as an unnaturally occurrence and in terms of hierarchy the king is dead and Macbeth ends up becoming the king, but that’s not his rightful place.
Heidi, I think you make a really interesting point about how the murder disrupts the normal flow of life. Isn't it interesting how it still has the same effect, even hundreds of years later?
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I never looked at what Ross said in that depth. You make a really good point about the unnatural actions that occur all at once. Chaos has happened amongst nature it self and Duncan's death seemed to be the spark off. Like the above comment, its very interesting that even today its seen as unnatural to murder others years later. Great job in pointing this out and breaking it down in the mannerism you did.
ReplyDeleteHeidi,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you pointed out all the unnatural images. The first unnatural image was the dagger before the murder. Macbeth saw it flying in the air with the handle pointing toward him and the blade pointing to Duncan. After the murder, the rest of the unnatural images that you mentioned occurred. I wonder who is responsible for these unnatural events. I was thinking maybe the witches. I was also wondering if Macbeth would become the king if he didn’t know the witches’ prophesy. What do you think?
Hana
I don't think Macbeth would have become king if it weren't for the witches because it's because Macbeth told Lady Macbeth about the witches prophecy that she got the idea of killing Duncan to become the king.
ReplyDelete