Daisy Doddridge, et al.

Daisy Doddridge

Chloe Fisher

Yasmina Kantar

Gabby Langston

Professor Amyett

ENGL-2322-24231

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Through a Biographical Lens

William Shakespeare’s famous play Macbeth further explores human ambition, power,

and morality while reflecting the writer’s faith and experiences. Through the biographical

approach of Macbeth, small connections between the life of Shakespeare and the ideas, events,

and characters depicted in the play are uncovered. Shakespeare’s personal opinions and

challenges to contemporary standards, significant concerns, and possible inspiration for Macbeth

are proven through analysis and research.

In Macbeth, some of the main characters, like Lady Macbeth and the witches, become

representations of society’s expectations and norms, specifically regarding dynamic forces and

gender roles. Lady Macbeth, a main character in the play, holds great ambition and cunning

manipulation, which shows the struggles individuals face finding their way through societal

pressures as they continue to assert themselves in the world. Her relentless drive for power, is

shown through the quote, “She would herself have killed the king, ‘Had he not resembled / My

Father as he slept, I had done’t—My Husband? (II.ii.12),”’ (Brann, Paragraph 13), and her

position in influencing Macbeth, reveal the internal conflict with deciding between pursuing

personal hopes or meeting the needs of others. Similarly the witches, like Lady Macbeth,

challenge the conventional ideas of gender and fate with their mystifying presence and predictive
 Daisy Doddridge, et al. 2

visions. These characteristics remind the audience that identities and destinies are only

sometimes easily defined. Through the use of these characters, Shakespeare creates the question

amongst readers of the constraints imposed by the world while still urging people to reconsider

the traditional conceptions of gender and power. In doing so, William Shakespeare wrote his play

in a way that viewers could relate to as they experience the issue between societal expectations

and personal ambitions.

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the main character’s profound desire to become king

is a reflection of Shakespeare’s hopes and dreams. Shakespeare, like Macbeth, sought

recognition and financial security through his work in the theater. The writer intertwines his

ambitions with his protagonist’s, producing a narrative that many can relate to for multiple

generations. As Macbeth journeys from being a respected nobleman to becoming a ruthless

tyrant, the difficulties of power and its consequences are shown. Shakespeare skillfully portrays

the inner turmoil and moral dilemmas that Macbeth faces, reflecting on the human mind and

body. Throughout the play, the audience notices how the actions and decisions of Macbeth for

the desirable power of ambition become destructive to individuals and their society.

Furthermore, the similarities between Shakespeare’s dreams and Macbeth’s desires

humanize the character and the playwright. Macbeth’s struggles with the consequences of his

pursuit of power remind viewers of their struggles and aspirations. We all hope for success and

the recognition of that success, but we need to grapple with the ethical consequences of our

actions. Ultimately Macbeth transcends its status as a mere play and becomes a deep exploration

of what it means to be human. Through the character Macbeth, Shakespeare examines the

complexities of ambition and morality. In doing so, he challenges reflection on our desires and

motivations while reminding us of the consequences of unchecked ambition, “he has no motive
 Daisy Doddridge, et al. 3

to commit the murder, only his ambition, ‘vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself…’ That is to

say, it is a passion which has no justification beyond itself, a passion at war with reason–certain

to be self-defeating” (Jaffa, Paragraph 19). Thus, within the context of Shakespeare’s ambitions

and the play's themes, Macbeth is a moving script of the world’s truths that tie us all to the

ethical consequences of our actions. In the end, Macbeth exceeds its status as a mere play and

transpires into a profound exploration of what makes us all human.

The correlation between Macbeth’s conflicts and Shakespeare’s friendships is displayed

through thematic expression that delves into the deeper meaning of human relationships. While

most of Shakespeare’s plays express friendships as a source of love and support, Macbeth reveals

the darker aspects of relationships, specifically betrayal. The theme of power struggles

throughout the play reflects a time of conflict in which Shakespeare lived, offering insights into

the playwright’s observations of political contradiction and ambition. The play reveals that

Macbeth’s most significant conflict was his desire for power, leading him to betray King Duncan

and, ultimately, himself. His descent into madness emphasizes the consequences of ambition

with poor moral principles. In Shakespeare’s personal life, it is likely that his friends were

supportive and provided him with inspiration and emotional support. However, it wouldn’t be

uncommon if his friendships also faced challenges, but we do know that the relationships he had

likely influenced and shaped his work. While Macbeth’s conflicts and Shakespeare’s friendship

might not have a direct correlation, they still represent the understanding of human relationships.

Macbeth’s character has profound psychological turmoil, specifically his overwhelming

paranoia after murdering King Duncan. The guilt Macbeth faces reflects Shakespeare’s anxieties

and moral struggles. Looking deeper into Macbeth’s psyche allows the audience to realize

Shakespeare shares his inner turmoil and fears. As Macbeth deals with the consequences of
 Daisy Doddridge, et al. 4

actions, Shakespeare most likely has experienced the same feelings and uncertainties. The

parallels between Shakespeare’s anxieties and Macbeth’s problems show the deeper connection

between the playwright’s life and the themes used in his work.

The persuasive theme of power struggles and political instability is a connection to the

troubled times William Shakespeare lived in. Shakespeare was educated on the uncertainty of

politics during his time as a writer; as well as real-world events which influenced his portrayal of

the character Macbeth who was on a ruthless path to seek power and a subsequent reign of terror.

His violation of the throne with King Duncan and descent into tyranny mirrors Shakespeare’s

view of political conflict and the consequences that came with unsupervised and controlled

ambition.

In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a multifaceted exploration of

human ambition, power, and morality, intertwined with the writer’s personal thoughts and

experiences. Through the biographical lens applied to Macbeth, connections between

Shakespeare’s life and the characters and events depicted in the play are revealed, giving the

readers an understanding of the skillful work of Shakespearean drama. The characters of Lady

Macbeth and the witches serve as reflections of societal norms and societal expectations,

specifically when dealing with the roles of women during this period. The understated

description of the characters allows audiences to empathize with their struggles and

complexities, emphasizing human nature. Again, the parallel between Shakespeare’s aspirations

and Macbeth’s journey, Shakespeare explores the idea of ambition and the consequences that

come with it, challenging audiences to consider the ethical importance of unrestrained ambition.
 Daisy Doddridge, et al. 5

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