Heaven and Hell in Macbeth
I found it notable that before Duncan's death as well as while contemplating Banquo's impending death, he has similar lines regarding whether his victims will go to heaven or hell. Regarding the former king, he says:
I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.
Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or hell. (p.24)
A knell is the ringing of a bell in a particularly solemn way, often used to describe funerals. In a similar manner, Macbeth says of Banquo's presumed death:
It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight.
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. (p.39)
Macbeth addresses his victims in these passages, but not in a particularly threatening way. It seems that he has a small amount of sympathy for Duncan, as he wishes that he will not hear the bell and understand his forthcoming death, but this could also be due to Macbeth's desire to remain secretive and complete his mission. His words to Banquo are slightly colder, telling him directly his life is over. It is not angry, but there is no warmth either.
The most interesting part is that Macbeth genuinely seems to not know if his victims are going to heaven or hell. According to the information we have, Duncan was a great king who was loved by all. He loved his subjects (such as Macbeth) unconditionally, which may not have been smart but shows that he was naive and innocent. There should be no reason he should go to hell. Banquo was a good friend of Macbeth's, and always had his back. There is nothing to suggest that he did anything but good in his life, and yet Macbeth is unsure if he will find heaven. In my mind, this reinforces how twisted Macbeth's morality has become, that he can no longer delineate between good and bad. At this point, his only concern is increasing his own power, and who he has to kill to achieve that goal is of no consequence.
I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.
Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or hell. (p.24)
A knell is the ringing of a bell in a particularly solemn way, often used to describe funerals. In a similar manner, Macbeth says of Banquo's presumed death:
It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight.
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. (p.39)
Macbeth addresses his victims in these passages, but not in a particularly threatening way. It seems that he has a small amount of sympathy for Duncan, as he wishes that he will not hear the bell and understand his forthcoming death, but this could also be due to Macbeth's desire to remain secretive and complete his mission. His words to Banquo are slightly colder, telling him directly his life is over. It is not angry, but there is no warmth either.
The most interesting part is that Macbeth genuinely seems to not know if his victims are going to heaven or hell. According to the information we have, Duncan was a great king who was loved by all. He loved his subjects (such as Macbeth) unconditionally, which may not have been smart but shows that he was naive and innocent. There should be no reason he should go to hell. Banquo was a good friend of Macbeth's, and always had his back. There is nothing to suggest that he did anything but good in his life, and yet Macbeth is unsure if he will find heaven. In my mind, this reinforces how twisted Macbeth's morality has become, that he can no longer delineate between good and bad. At this point, his only concern is increasing his own power, and who he has to kill to achieve that goal is of no consequence.
This is a cool thought. I think that Macbeth is one who alters his state of sanity and clarity by hearing words by basically any character including Macbeth. Perhaps by including hell he is reafirrming his belief that they could be in hell even though he does not actually believe it. Macbeth is very fickle minded with no strong moral compass. Also, that may just be an expression for the "unknowness" of death—something Shakespeare writes about a lot.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point! I agree that mentioning both possible destinations for Macbeth's victims in his speech reflects his initial ambivalence and timidity about his malicious murder plans. Such fear continues to hunt Macbeth even after Banquo's death when Macbeth encounters the apparition that the three witches summon through their charm. Macbeth believes that his crown is secure, yet he is still appalled by the ghost of Banquo and calls the encounter "pernicious hour accursed in the calendar" (4.1:133). Maybe by thinking that they would go to the hell helps Macbeth conquer his fear and ignore his evil deeds.
ReplyDeleteI think that Macbeth addressing Banquo after he is killed is colder because he felt less remorse initially as he did with Duncan. After murdering the king, Macbeth knows that what he did was wrong. Yet, Banquo was viewed as a threat to Macbeth's position and although killing him was just as selfish as killing Duncan, Banquo's death was much more organized. In any planned death the person responsible for killing must feel less remorse in my opinion.
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