Macbeth, Shakespeare

As themes, Nature and Desire/Agency, are very much linked in Macbeth. Specifically nature and agency, with desire being what comes in between what’s naturally suppose to happen.

In his monologue, Macbeth says, “For Banquo’s issue have I filled my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered.” Macbeth desires the crown so much that he is willing to betray his agency of having previously been a noble man, to kill his friends.

The fact that this issue has filled Macbeth’s mind goes to show that he cares and that these murders haunt him. Desire has caused him to betray his agency.

Sophocles clearly shows readers what the natural order is in Macbeth. Macbeth himself admits this truth by saying, “But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo. Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature. Reigns that which would be feared.”

Macbeth fears, but knows, the rule of Banquo. Macbeth disrupts the natural order by killing his friend Banquo, who’s children were next in line for the crown.

On a last note, it amazes me how Macbeth knew all of these truths, good truths from the start, but chose to follow his dark desire for the crown instead.