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CHILDREN in Macbeth.
A couple of followers have asked about this recently, so here goes.
First, an important disclaimer: I will be taking Lady Macbeth's word for it that she has previously had children, and I'll be assuming that they died.
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A couple of followers have asked about this recently, so here goes.
First, an important disclaimer: I will be taking Lady Macbeth's word for it that she has previously had children, and I'll be assuming that they died.
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I have seen arguments about the historical veracity of this, and about Lady Macbeth as a mother, but I see no textual reason to disbelieve her.
Now, on to our feature presentation:
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Now, on to our feature presentation:
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In comparison to many other Shakespeare plays in which generational conflict or parent/child relationships are a central concern -- Hamlet, R&J, Othello, King Lear, Henry 4, Tempest -- children seem to haunt the margins of Macbeth.
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They're an ever-present concern whilst only rarely taking centre stage. The most important children in the first half of the play are those not yet born -- the "line of Kings" that Banquo will begin. Only in the later stages does Malcolm become important.
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The play seems to insist that securing a line of succession is more important and valuable than holding the throne at that moment: hence the witches telling Banquo he is "not so happy, yet much happier".
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There's a vital contrast between the Macbeths and the Macduffs when it comes to children. To the Macbeths, parental love is something to be exploited, and children are something to be feared: a threat that must be dealt with.
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LM uses her own memory of motherhood as a weapon against Macbeth -- I have tweeted before about why her "nipple" speech is central to the whole play.
Macbeth is haunted by the "unlineal hand" (Act 3 Sc 1) that will take away his power.
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Macbeth is haunted by the "unlineal hand" (Act 3 Sc 1) that will take away his power.
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Macbeth's "fruitless crown" is not just one that cannot keep power, but one that is not passed down to an heir.
To Macbeth, intent on killing Banquo, to also kill Fleance is just an important: "whose absence is no less material to me / Than is his father's". (3:1)
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To Macbeth, intent on killing Banquo, to also kill Fleance is just an important: "whose absence is no less material to me / Than is his father's". (3:1)
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When Macbeth kills Macduff's family, his children symbolise how innocents are the victims of tyranny. "Macduff is fled to England" (4:1), so his children must be the proxy victims through which Macbeth attacks Macduff himself.
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Macduff himself, meanwhile, introduces parental love and warmth, something that Macbeth is lacking, and in doing so represents a different type of masculinity: one encompassing not just violence but also tenderness.
His "all my pretty chickens" line is central to this. (4:3)
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His "all my pretty chickens" line is central to this. (4:3)
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