Macbeth;_Malcolm__Hero_or_Malicious_Being_

Malcolm: The Hero or Malicious Being' A character in any work of literature can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the reader and his or her relations to the character. In Macbeth, by contrasting the view of Malcolm as a hero and the view of Malcolm as a flawed human in Macbeth, Shakespeare reveals that there are many different interpretations one can form on a character and that these interpretations reveal something about the reader. An individual can state that Malcolm is viewed as a “good” person if they create a comparison against Macbeth, who must be characterized as an evil being by the reader. By interoperating Malcolm as a hero rather than a flawed human, an individual then creates its own analysis about him or herself. If the “malicious” Macbeth follows and bases his actions on what the witches have to say about his own fate, then Malcolm following “By the grace of Grace”(V.viii.82) to restore the country of Scotland creates a holy and good natured sense. Malcolm not only says that Scotland will be restored with the help of what God will bring to them, but he also tells his people that they will “perform in measure, time, and place.”(V.viii.82) This quote can also be a comparison to Macbeth and his evil mannerisms. Macbeth throughout the later Acts in the play was impulsive and quick to decide things only based on what the witches’ literal prediction on his fate. Readers can acknowledge the difference in which Malcolm will make sure Scotland will be restored in the right time and place for his people, and not just himself. In Malcolm’s final speech, restoration becomes his main focus and readers of the play could see this as a noble and heroic action even if Malcolm explains to the people of Scotland that time will be lengthy in the process of things being restored for their country. Malcolm’s speech also exclaims things will be “newly planted with the time.” (V.viii.82). The metaphor he uses allows the reader to interpret Malcolm as being “good” as opposed to “evil” because it creates an image of a rightful place for Malcolm. Plated represents fertilization, thus universally meaning hereditary. Since Malcolm was the son of Duncan, he then is the rightful holder of the throne, unlike Macbeth who murdered for his seat. This metaphor could also refer just to the restoration of the country in general. After Macbeth’s death, all “thanes and kinsmen Hereforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland In such an honour named,” (V.viii.82) to create a brand new society in Scotland. To the reader, renewing society that has undergone some evil period in time is a romantic idea and when brought up and created by Malcolm in Macbeth, one must see the fair nature in his character. Malcolm would most likely receive more interpretations on this argument’s side because Malcolm’s whole reason for existing in the last few Acts is to “set things right” for Scotland. In order for one to view this side of the argument, they must assume that Macbeth is doing terribly evil actions. Also when humans interpret something, it’s usually because they relate or believe in the action or thought of the character. Human nature gives the instinct of wanting to “set things right” to individuals, allowing humans to relate to Malcolm’s actions and thoughts. What one expects from Malcolm is to avenge his father’s murder because “setting things right” would be the goal needed to achieve “fairness.” On the opposite end of this argument, Malcolm can be viewed as an “evil” character and would be just as bad as Macbeth, and thus creating an interpretation about themselves. Malcolm is rarely in the beginning of the story and decides flee the country, like his brother, after his father’s murder. Running away to ‘avoid death’ could be an interpretation on how cowardly Malcolm is. By running away, he’s further proving the point that he has negative traits, giving some readers the idea that he is “evil.” Another example of this could be after Macduff hears of his family’s murder ordered by Macbeth, Malcolm reveals a vengeful character. He begins trying to “comfort” Macduff and then goes on to try and persuade him to “make medicines of [their] deadly grief.”(V.iii.67) To the reader, this could describe Malcolm as being characterized as a “blood-thirsty” human, which again, causes a comparison to Macbeth proving Malcolm is just as “bad” of a person as he. In order to find out the truth in Macduff, Malcolm lie’s and tries to convince him that “black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my[Malcolm’s] confineless harms.”(IV.iii.61) Instead of interpreting this as a good action and understanding Malcolm’s loyalty to Scotland, a reader could turn this evidence around and state that Malcolm is evil because he is lying, which gives him a ‘sneaky’ characteristic, one in which a hero would not possess. Another example of this “evil” character would again be the idea that he can “set things right.” The idea of setting things right may, at first, sound like a great one however, “newly planted with time” or trying to establish those plans is impossible. Things can’t be set right in the world because, as Shakespeare tells readers in Macbeth, fate is meant to be flawed. Malcolm should’ve known this especially because of logic. Duncan had “begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing,”(I.iv.10) then was followed by a tragic death, just as when Macbeth tried to replant Scotland with a new society, he then died. The next logical prediction, without the help of witches’ sight into the future, would clearly be Malcolm’s death after trying to “set things right” with “newly planted with the time.” Because of these interpretations, then Macbeth would not be guilty of anything since he is just as bad as Malcolm, who could be viewed as both “good” and “evil.” However, neither would Malcolm who is just as “bad” or “good” as Macbeth. The reader who identifies Malcolm as the “good” person or hero in the story could be any unspecific human being, since they can relate to having flaws in human nature. The readers who interprets Malcolm as being “evil” and “malicious” are individuals who are very conscious of human nature, as well as those who try to set things right, but can never succeed. These different interpretations prove that when humans analyze literature, they are truly relating it back to their own lives. Works Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications Inc., 1993.