A Reading of Macbeth Based on Muchembled's Argument of the Tragic Culture of the Early Modern Age

Abstract

This essay looks at Macbeth from the historical perspective, especially from what Muchemblend calls the tragic culture of the early modem age. According to him, tragic culture depends on the threatening evil which derives from establishment of a powerful hierarchical order. Tragic culture is produced as man is helplessly doomed to fall into the temptation of evil. In order to unfold the argument the disposition of witches is discussed. In Macbeth studies, the arguments about the Weird Sisters vary from the problem of their origins to the issue arguing their supernatural nature. Some critics insist that they are Hecate figures but others maintain that they are demonic ones. As for their supernatural nature some take them as the external projection of Macbeth’s inner state rather than as concrete supernatural powers. In this essay, I argue that they are as concrete demonic witches sharing the characteristics of evil shown in demonology. Early modem England was established as a strong hierarchical nation with the king at the top. This system required the two extremes of a patriarchal Christian order with the unity of God-King-Father and a dreadful devil threatening the very hierarchical order. Accordingly the devil and its dark powers present themselves as even more threatening and man is seen as vulnerable for falling to temptation. Man, in front of the damning power of evil, cannot but feel helpless and fall into a deep nihilism, which forms a sort of tragic culture. Macbeth shares that kind of tragic culture. In this paper, I firstly discuss the historical context of the witches. Then I argue how the evil powers stir Macbeth’s ambition, how he collapses at their temptation, and finally how he feels a sense of emptiness in this world.