Wednesday, April 9, 2014

What does the description of the previous Thane of Cawdor's actions and ultimate fate foreshadow or hint at for Macbeth?

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, it is clear from the onset of the play that what appears good is not always so. In the first scene, the three witches announce that "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" (I.i.12). They directly state that what may be fair, or good, may actually be bad or evil, and what may appear evil, may actually be good. This foreshadows the action in the play.
The original Thane of Cawdor, who is a traitor to King Duncan, is executed for his treasonous crimes. Macbeth is rewarded for his bravery in battle by Duncan, granting him the title of Thane of Cawdor:

No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth (I.ii.63-65).

Macbeth is loyal to the crown prior to receiving this title. However, when the witches greet him as the Thane of Cawdor and later as "King hereafter," Macbeth's ambition is ignited to do whatever it may take to become king. This news appears fair to Macbeth. However, his ambition spurs him on to commit treason by murdering Duncan. Macbeth's actions throughout the play become increasingly foul as his acts of treason far outweigh those of his predecessor, the first Thane of Cawdor. Thus, receiving the title foreshadows Macbeth's demise and his ultimate fate at the hands of Macduff, that of death as a coward and a tyrant.


In act one, scene 2, Ross informs King Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor has committed treason by assisting the Norwegian army in battle against the Scottish forces. However, Macbeth and Banquo were able to defeat the Thane of Cawdor and the Norwegian king in battle. King Duncan then immediately sentences the Thane of Cawdor to death for committing treason and gives Macbeth his title. After the Three Witches first meet Macbeth and refer to him as the Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, he receives word that King Duncan has given him the prophesied title, which sparks his ambition. The former Thane of Cawdor is then executed for his treasonous actions, which foreshadows Macbeth's fate. Later in the play, Macbeth also commits treason by assassinating King Duncan, and Macduff ends up killing him in the final battle. Overall, both the former Thane of Cawdor and Macbeth commit treason and die at the hands of loyal Scottish citizens.

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