My Version of Macbeth

Macbeth is definitely an amazing piece of literary art; with that being said, there is room for improvement from my point of view.

The first change that I would make is changing the Witches to more realistic characters. If a regular character predicted Macbeth's prophecy, I think the story would've had a stronger and more believable plot. Obviously this is a fairytale, but I still think that could have made the story more engaging.

I understand that Macbeth is a tyrant and a coward, but I think the story could've proceeded without the murdering of Macduff's family. That part of the story wasn't necessary; it was simply cruel and disgusting. Macbeth should've sent the assassins after Macduff himself rather than his family. I know this strengthens the image of Macbeth's cruelty, but for many young readers, it could teach the wrong lesson.

Macduff's Wife and Child

Shakespeare also could've expanded on Malcolm's character. The audience comes to know King Duncan very well; he's a loyal, kind, and welcoming king, whom so many admire. What about his son? There is a full scene with his son in England talking to Macduff, but one doesn't really get to know who Malcolm really is and what kind of person he is. He talks a lot about what he wants to do with Scotland, but words differ from actions. It would've been nice to see Malcolm ruling Scotland for a short period of time.

A character I would have completely removed from the story would've been Fleance. Fleance causes confusion in the plot when he flees to safety after witnessing his father's death. Shakespeare doesn't expand on his whereabouts or his plans. This creates an uneasy tension for the reader: will he come back? Will he avenge his father's death? I believe that Fleance was a completely pointless character and served no purpose in Macbeth.

Fleance

Least Favourite Setting

The general setting for Macbeth is 11th century England and Scotland. In the story, there were several places where the story took place, one of which made me quite uneasy. A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder. The three witches enter (IV. I). This was at the very beginning of the fourth scene, when the witches create apparitions in the middle of the cave, that predicted the future for Macbeth. Generally any setting with the witches made me uneasy. The setting isn't depicted very distinctly, but one could imagine that it's dark, cold, foggy and raining. It wasn't in particular the setting that made me uneasy, but the characters in the setting; the witches. The witches play a large role in making the setting creepier than it already is. The cauldron played a significant role too. All of the human and animal parts the Witches were throwing into the cauldron probably created a pretty nasty smell, which makes the setting even scarier. I'm not sure why Macbeth decided to go to the cave on his own; knowing that the Witches had some kind of upper power that could potentially hurt him. He put himself into a vulnerable position in that setting.

An accurate depiction of the setting

    

Lady Macbeth vs Macbeth

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship played a prominent role in the play. When the Witches informed Macbeth that he would be king, he couldn't think of a way that that was going to happen. Was King Duncan going on to pass on his legacy to him? He didn't think so; he was confused about the prophecy. However, when he came home to Lady Macbeth, she came up with a plan to murder King Duncan and have her husband become his successor. This is where the rising action began; all from Lady Macbeth. This is an example of the desire for power that Lady Macbeth possessed. Macbeth, had his doubts about the plan. He is a soft-spoken, brave and honest soldier, and he would never think of killing the king to gain power. Comparably, they are two completely different characters at the begging of the story. At the end of the story, their personas change. Now Macbeth wants nothing but power, and he is willing to do whatever he needs to to get it. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, is so overwhelmed with the guilt of her husband's actions, that she commits suicide. I believe that the personas of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth flip due to the actions of Macbeth in the story.

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth

Destiny: How it Played a Role

Destiny arguably played the biggest role in Macbeth. When Macbeth slaughtered King Duncan and order killings onto Macduff's family, one could predict Macbeth's destiny. Macbeth was never destined to be king, but when the Witches gave him the prophecy, he was ambitious to achieve such a high and prestigious position. To do this, he had to kill the current king, betray his loyal friend Banquo, and kill anyone else who stood in his way. When Macbeth does all of these things, it is almost obvious that the the story wouldn't end without some kid of consequence. Macbeth wasn't going to get away with his tyrannical actions. Malcolm, King Duncan's son, was destined to be the king of Scotland, once he succeeds his father. As a result, this is exactly what happens. Macduff and Malcolm collaborate to bring blood-thirsty Macbeth to peace. In the last scene, Macduff walks in carrying Macbeth's head, restoring peace and making Malcolm the king, which is the main example of destiny in the play. In the last scene, Macduff addresses Malcolm: "Hail, King! For so thou art. Behold where stands/ The usurper's cursed head. The time is free." (V.VIII. 45-55)

Malcolm crowned King

Macbeth Review

I've read several pieces of literature in high school; but never have I read something as entertaining and engaging as Shakespeare's play Macbeth. I've read Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and the classic Romeo and Juliet, but those plays failed to interest me. Personally, I'm interested in fast-moving and intense plays. Macbeth provided me that exact experience. Macbeth kept me on the edge of my seat providing constant action and ongoing controversy. This is one of the few plays that I've read, and I can easily say that it is the most divine piece of literature I've ever encountered. I enjoyed the rising action in the story, which started when the Witches summoned their first prophecy on Macbeth. This rising action engaged me to read all the way to the climax, which was the very end of the play. Macbeth's bloody, manipulative, and cruel rise to power will give you goosebumps, and push you to the end of your seat (be careful)! My overall experience of reading Macbeth was outstanding; an engaging piece of literature that lives up to its reputation and legacy! All hail Shakespeare!

Macbeth 

The three Witches