What is Macbeth about?

To what extent do you agree that there is no clear culprit for the events in Macbeth?

• William Shakespeare's violent and highly political play Macbeth is one which compels audiences to ask the philosophical question of agency which describes the capacity for someone or something to cause change in the world. In the play there are four prominent agents: The Witches (supernatural influence), Duncan and the Scottish monarchy (social and political influence), Lady Macbeth (External human contributor) and Macbeth (Human influence). While it is probably most popular to blame Lady Macbeth and Macbeth for the tragic ending and Macbeth's ultimate demise, they are not the only candidates that the author provides. To what extent do you agree that Shakespeare suggests it is impossible to blame a single entity for anything, highlighting in the story of Macbeth that all of these possible agents contributed.

• Answer:

  I think it's best to avoid thinking of any of Shakespeare's stories as a fable or allegory. Shakespeare constantly raises more questions than he answers. We call it "postmodern" when authors do it today, but the Renaissance writers weren't unsophisticated boors telling simplistic stories. It's not so much that I'd look for a "clear culprit" or not as to stop thinking of Shakespeare's stories in those terms. The play is a story; it tells of an event. Life doesn't work like that, and neither should art. Think of them as people; people involved in unusual events, but still people, not cartoons.