LEC052028: Leona Maria Renny. Critical Analysis of the reference to 'Equivocator' in Macbeth.
The reference to
Equivocator plays a significant role in understanding Shakespeare's Macbeth with
its religious and political influences. Through the play, Shakespeare is
attempting to provide reference to the Gun powder incident of November 1605. It
was a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and to replace King James I
with a catholic ruler. Nevertheless, the plot was discovered, and the plotters
were executed, including the Jesuit priest Henry Garnet. This in turn connects
the reference of Equivocator in Macbeth to the Gun Powder plot
("The Trial").
Equivocator is a person
who "deliberately use vague language in order to deceive people or to
avoid speaking the truth"("Equivocator"). In Act 2 Scene 3 of Macbeth, the
porter talks about an Equivocator who was refused entrance to heaven. The
reference here is to Garnet, who being a Jesuit, supported and practiced
equivocation to avoid incrimination. Apart from the Porter scene, there are
several other hints that points to the same incident.
Instances of Equivocation is evident in the dialogues of the witches. The doublespeak used by the witches is what leads Macbeth to believe that he is safe. "Laugh to scorn//The pow'r of man, for none of woman born// Shall harm Macbeth"(Shakespeare 4.1.79-81), which seems to be highly impossible, was in fact an equivocated statement. The emphasis is to be given for the word 'born’ but was mistook as 'woman' by Macbeth. Thus, Shakespeare has succeeded in imparting ironical references to these situations of the time through the dialogues of his characters. Apart from the reference to Garnet, another layer of implication can be found in the play.
The play was written in 1606, just three years after the succession of James I. He is believed to be the descendant of Banquo, the Thane of Lochquhaber. Thus, the succession of Banquo's sons to the throne can be an indication of the rule of James I.
Even more importantly,
King James was commonly believed to be descended from Banquo the thane of
Lochquhaber, the historical counterpart of Shakespeare’s Banquo, the friend who
Macbeth betrays and has murdered. With this in mind the witches’ prophesy that
Banquo’s ancestors will be kings takes on a new meaning: it is referring to
Banquo’s ancestor James Stuart, King of Scotland and England. By extension, it
has been suggested that the escape of Fleance, Banquo’s son, from Macbeth’s
murder plot is designed to echo James’s own escape from the Gunpowder Plot and
to subtly compliment the House of Stuart as legitimate and truly-descended
rulers.
(“The Gunpowder Plot”)
Thus, by critically analysing
the play, it can be concluded that the reference to Equivocator in the
play Macbeth reflects the religious and political tensions of
the time. Shakespeare who is known for his inclusion of contemporary incidents
in his play has taken the risk of adding such a politically tense issue in Macbeth.
Work Cited:
“Equivocate Definition and Meaning: Collins English
Dictionary.” Collins English
Dictionary, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, n.d., www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/equivocate. Accessed 12 Jan.2021.
“The
Gunpowder Plot and Shakespeare's Macbeth: Blogs & Features.” Shakespeare's
Globe, www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/blogs-and-features/2014/11/05/the-gunpowder-plot-and-shakespeares-macbeth/.
Shakespeare,
William. Macbeth, Ed. Praveen Bhatia. UBS
Publishers' Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2014, Print.
Thebillshakespeareproject.
“Macbeth and Equivocation.” The Bill / Shakespeare Project, 19 June
2016,
thebillshakespeareproject.com/2016/06/macbeth-and-equivocation/#:~:text=The%20simple%20meaning%20of%20equivocator,to%20heaven%2C%20the%20Porter%20says.&text=The%20porter%20himself%20plays%20with,of%20sex)%20leaves%20him%20altogether.
“The
Trial of Henry Garnet, 1606.” The British Library, The British
Library, 23 Sept. 2015,
www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-trial-of-henry-garnet-1606.
The essay is structured properly with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. But the essay lacks the title. The Works Cited does not follow alphabetical order.
ReplyDeleteA very systematic approach to the topic is given. The arguments are impressive with precise hypothesis and supporting statements. The keywords are well explained and there is a natural transition in paragraphs. The MLA format is followed and the works are cited accordingly. But the essay lacks a proper title and it is to be noted that the C in Catholic is to be capitalized.
ReplyDeleteThe essay is well written.The transition between paragraphs is smooth. The title of an essay is just as important as its other components.The last paragraph should be formatted.
ReplyDeleteThe essay is well structured but it lacks a title. There is a smooth transition between paragraphs. The works cited should be in alphabetical order.
ReplyDeleteThere are enough points in the essay. Argument is supported by good references. The introductory paragraph could be modified. In my opinion the second paragraph is a suitable introductory paragraph. Properly concluded.
ReplyDeleteThe thesis statement is clearly introduced. The following paragraphs elaborates and supports the thesis. The conclusion is well written and the structure is followed as a whole. The title 'Works Cited' is to be at the center and the colon used after it is to be avoided. Giving an appropriate title will further enhance the writing.
ReplyDeleteThe essay is a fine result of a methodological approach to the topic. But, to begin with, the most important component of it, the title, is missing. A very logical hypothesis is introduced with rationally explained arguments. A better transition from one paragraph to another would have made the essay more effective. Please be a bit more careful about the punctuations and capitalization. The MLA stylesheet has been followed to a greater extend. Apart from these, this is a well written essay with sufficient references.
ReplyDeleteThe hypothesis is stated clearly, and the arguments support the hypothesis. However, the arguments feel a bit rushed, and only touched upon. Sound research is reflected in the historical and textual references. The MLA format is well adhered to.
ReplyDelete