Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Play of Equivocation

Macbeth is often referred to as the play of equivocation. The historical context dates back to the Gunpowder Plot. The Gunpowder Plot was contrived by a group of disgruntled Catholics who did not like King James I. They planned on blowing up the king and parliament. Their plan, however, failed and the members of the group were executed. One of the members of the Gunpowder Plot was Father Henry Garnet. Garnet was the author of A Treatise on Equivocation, which was a book showing how to give ambiguous or misleading answers under oath. Garnet was known as the Great Equivocator. Equivocation is seen many times throughout Macbeth, predominately in the speeches of the witches. Equivocation is first seen in Act 1 Scene 1 when the second witch proclaims, “When the battle’s lost and won” (line 4). Another example of equivocation is seen later in this same scene when all the witches attest, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (line 10). More important examples of equivocation are seen much later in the play when the witches and the apparitions are addressing Macbeth. In Act 4 Scene 1 the second apparition asserts, “Laugh to scorn/The power of man, for none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth” (lines 95-97). Macbeth believes this to mean that no mortal man will be able to kill him. This gives him a false sense of confidence and fearlessness, which eventually leads to his downfall. This statement is not entirely untrue because Macduff was “ripped” from his mother’s womb instead of being naturally birthed from his mother (5.10, line 16). Macbeth assumed he did not need to fear Macduff because he thought Macduff was born of a woman. Consequentially, Macduff is able to kill Macbeth. Again in Act 4 Scene 1, the third apparition affirms, “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/Shall come against him” (lines 108-110). Macbeth assumes that this can never happen and he believes he has no reason to fear being killed. Later, his enemies disguise themselves with bushes from Great Birnam Wood, in essence bringing the wood to him. This disguised approach leads to Macbeth’s death. Equivocation plays an important role in the play because it gives Macbeth a false sense of confidence, indestructibility, and immortality. His unfounded confidence makes him increasingly more audacious and ambitious. This false confidence contributes to Macbeth’s demise.

Samantha Sears
ENGL 142B Dis 1A

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