After looking at many Macbeth images on the web I decided to pick this one because it is not one that would be chosen by many people. Most people usually go for the scenes that show Lady Macbeth sleepwalking or images that have to do with blood. I chose this scene because it shows the end result of Macbeth’s unchecked ambition. The image takes place in the last scene of the play where Macduff beheads Macbeth and thus fulfills one of the witches’ prophecies. Prophecy plays a huge role in this play and the image that I picked illustrates the fulfillment of two major prophecies. One prophecy said that Macbeth could not be killed by any man born from a woman and thus when Macbeth was confronted by Macduff he was feeling proud and boisterous and in control. It wasn’t until Macduff informed him that he was born via Caesarian section that he began to realize that he downfall was fast approaching. The second prophecy that was fulfilled was the one that said Macbeth should beware of Macduff. After the two of them fight, Macduff beheads him and holds his head up for all to see that he reigns victorious in the battle against the tyrant and murderer Macbeth.
This image epitomizes the outcome of a tragic hero. A tragic hero in literature is a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy.[1] Macbeth is an example of this because he let his ambition to become king after hearing the witches’ prophecy cloud out his judgment and then took the measures necessary, with Lady Macbeth’s help, to acquire this kingship. Another aspect that makes him a tragic hero is that he seems to be a victim of fate and destiny. Although he has the tragic flaw of ambition and he is greedy and easily manipulated by Lady Macbeth, one can argue that when he met the weird sisters it signaled the beginning of the end for him.
The image that I chose also shows one of the symbols that permeates the play. This is the symbol of violence that is evident throughout the play. In the second scene of the play Macbeth has won a battle against the allied forces of Norway and Ireland. From there the violence continues with the murders of King Duncan, Macduff’s family, Banquo, the suicide of Lady Macbeth and the final beheading of Macbeth. In this play one act of violence leads to the next and the cycle is finally broken with Macbeth’s death. Although this image doesn’t come until the end of the play I think that it is one of the most important scenes of the play because it represents good conquering evil and the resolution of the story.
The image posted above was obtained from http://mcknight-period2.wikispaces.com/
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