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The Consequences of Rejecting The Natural Order in Macbeth

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Human-Written

Words: 1496 |

Pages: 3|

8 min read

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 1496|Pages: 3|8 min read

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Table of contents

  1. The Natural Order in *Macbeth*
  2. Macbeth’s Rejection of the Natural Order
  3. The Effects on Nature and Society
  4. Lady Macbeth and Her Role in Rejection of the Natural Order
  5. Macbeth’s Decline: A Consequence of Rejecting the Natural Order
  6. Macbeth’s Downfall: Restoring the Natural Order
  7. Conclusion

William Shakespeare’s *Macbeth* is a tragedy centered around ambition, power, and the consequences of disrupting the natural order. Throughout the play, characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth push against the laws of nature and divine will in their pursuit of power, resulting in chaos and destruction. The rejection of the natural order is a central theme in the play, and Shakespeare uses it to demonstrate the disastrous effects that arise when individuals act against the established laws of nature and morality.

The Natural Order in *Macbeth*

In *Macbeth*, the natural order refers to the divine and societal hierarchy in which kings rule with the mandate of heaven, and each element of the world has its place. The King is seen as God’s representative on Earth, and any act that disrupts this order—such as regicide—disrupts not only society but also the balance of the cosmos. The natural world, from the stormy weather to the behavior of animals, reacts to the disruption of order by Macbeth’s ambitious actions, and these reactions foreshadow the calamities that will unfold.

Macbeth’s Rejection of the Natural Order

Macbeth’s first major act of rejecting the natural order comes when he murders King Duncan. The murder of a king is a direct violation of the divine right to rule, an offense that is considered unnatural. This is seen in the play when Macbeth reflects on the consequences of his actions:

"I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." (Act 3, Scene 4)

Here, Macbeth acknowledges that he has gone too far in his pursuit of power, and there is no turning back. His choice to murder Duncan leads to a series of events that spiral further into violence, chaos, and his eventual downfall. By killing Duncan, Macbeth not only condemns himself but also condemns Scotland to suffering, as the natural order has been overturned.

The Effects on Nature and Society

After Macbeth’s murder of Duncan, the natural world begins to react violently. In Act 2, Scene 4, Ross describes the strange occurrences happening in nature:

"By th' clock 'tis day, / And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp." (Act 2, Scene 4)

The day should be bright, but instead, it is dark, symbolizing the unnaturalness of Macbeth’s actions. The day and night cycle is disturbed, indicating that the cosmic order has been violated. Moreover, Duncan’s horses, who were once docile, are said to have turned wild and eaten each other, which is another indication that the natural order is in disarray. These unnatural occurrences reflect the chaos that Macbeth’s regicide has caused, not only within Scotland but in the very fabric of the universe.

Lady Macbeth and Her Role in Rejection of the Natural Order

Lady Macbeth also plays a crucial role in rejecting the natural order, particularly with her desire to push Macbeth into committing regicide. She calls on the spirits to “unsex” her and fill her with cruelty so that she can carry out her dark deeds without hesitation. In Act 1, Scene 5, she says:

"Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe topful / Of direst cruelty!" (Act 1, Scene 5)

Lady Macbeth’s plea to be “unsexed” symbolizes her desire to reject the natural order of gender and morality. She wishes to rid herself of any feminine qualities, which were traditionally seen as associated with kindness and compassion, in order to carry out the brutal murder of Duncan. Her rejection of both natural gender roles and moral responsibility plays a key role in Macbeth’s descent into violence and madness. By pushing Macbeth into murdering Duncan, she too is complicit in rejecting the natural order.

Macbeth’s Decline: A Consequence of Rejecting the Natural Order

As Macbeth continues his reign, he becomes increasingly paranoid and tyrannical, further separating himself from the natural order. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth feels an overwhelming sense of guilt and fear, which leads him to commit more murders to secure his position. He kills Banquo and tries to murder Fleance, his paranoia growing as he tries to maintain power. His actions, compounded by his growing tyranny, continue to destabilize the natural order of both his mind and his kingdom.

Macbeth’s emotional and mental state deteriorates rapidly. He begins to hallucinate, seeing Banquo’s ghost at a feast in Act 3, Scene 4, as guilt and fear overwhelm him:

"Avaunt! And quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!" (Act 3, Scene 4)

These hallucinations reflect the internal chaos Macbeth is experiencing, a result of his violation of the natural order. His reign, once built on the murder of Duncan, now crumbles as his own mind unravels. His actions, driven by greed and ambition, have put him at odds with both his own conscience and the laws of nature.

Macbeth’s Downfall: Restoring the Natural Order

The final consequences of Macbeth’s rejection of the natural order come when he is overthrown by Macduff, who seeks to restore Scotland to its rightful state. Macduff’s victory symbolizes the restoration of the natural order, as he kills Macbeth and places Malcolm, Duncan’s rightful heir, on the throne. The forces of nature, in the form of the rebellion against Macbeth, have finally balanced the disruption caused by his ambition. In the end, the natural order is re-established, but not without the tragic cost of Macbeth’s life and the devastation of his kingdom.

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Conclusion

In *Macbeth*, Shakespeare demonstrates the catastrophic effects of rejecting the natural order through the actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Their pursuit of power at any cost leads to chaos, madness, and death, not just for themselves but for Scotland as a whole. The disturbances in nature and the emotional turmoil of the characters are all manifestations of the consequences of their actions. Through *Macbeth*, Shakespeare explores the theme that defying the natural order leads to self-destruction, moral decay, and a world turned upside down. Ultimately, the play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the inevitable consequences of violating the laws of nature and morality.

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Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

The Consequences Of Rejecting The Natural Order In Macbeth. (2022, February 10). GradesFixer. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/the-consequences-of-rejecting-the-natural-order-in-macbeth/
“The Consequences Of Rejecting The Natural Order In Macbeth.” GradesFixer, 10 Feb. 2022, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/the-consequences-of-rejecting-the-natural-order-in-macbeth/
The Consequences Of Rejecting The Natural Order In Macbeth. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/the-consequences-of-rejecting-the-natural-order-in-macbeth/> [Accessed 7 Dec. 2024].
The Consequences Of Rejecting The Natural Order In Macbeth [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2022 Feb 10 [cited 2024 Dec 7]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/the-consequences-of-rejecting-the-natural-order-in-macbeth/
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