Macbeth

    Before eighth grade, when I first got the list of books I needed to buy, I was annoyed to see Macbeth on it. I knew that Shakespearean books were very difficult to understand, with weird grammar, antiquated word choice, and confusing word order. However, when I read the book, although it was very difficult to understand like I expected, there were some parts I really liked. In particular, I really liked the character of Macbeth, the protagonist of the play, so much so that I chose to play him in the performance of the play. As Macbeth, I had a lot of fun performing all the long, dramatic monologues he gives. I particularly liked his defiant last speech, which I can still recite completely from memory, where he chooses to fight to the death against Macduff instead of surrendering to Malcolm and living in shame. He makes the decision to fight despite knowing that he was doomed to die in the fight, as Macduff was not born of women, and Birnamm Wood had come to Dunsinane. In addition to the lines, I also really liked choreographing and performing the sword fights he has at the end of the book against Young Siward and Macduff.

In addition to enjoying playing him, I also like Macbeth a lot as a character, and his arc from hero to villain. At the start of the play, Macbeth starts out as a triumphant general well liked by many, including King Duncan, and Banquo. After a victory in battle, King Duncan even rewards Macbeth with the title Thane of Cawdor. However, when he meets the three witches, who promise that he will become king, Macbeth slowly grows corrupted by the pursuit of power. Encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth kills Duncan and becomes king. However, as king, he descends further into villainy, ordering Banquo to be killed, as well as many others, including the family of Macduff. Ultimately, his many enemies, including Malcom, who is the son of King Duncan, Macduff, and others all unite against him, successfully overthrowing him. However, although he becomes more villainous throughout the play, he still maintains some of his positive characteristics, like his skill in combat. Although the Macbeth of the beginning and end of the book are very different in many ways, it is clear how Macbeth can descend so far, through gradual steps. Some are larger steps, like his reluctant choice to kill Duncan, while others are smaller, but they all make sense within the story. Overall, I find Macbeth a very well written character whose fall to evil is in equal parts logical and tragic.

    Jaehyun