Shakespeare's Portrayal of Macbeth's Inner Goodness to Evoke Sympathy from the Audience

By conventional standard of judgment, the character of Macbeth might be dubbed as ‘evil’ or ‘wicked’ for the execution of three murders. However, Macbeth is not solely merciless, as it might seem at first glance. Shakespeare employs devices which add a spark of humaneness to Macbeth and do not merely depict him as a ruthless murderer, thus making him susceptible to sympathy of the audience.

Shakespeare introduces Macbeth as a brave, honorable, and loyal man, instead of portraying him as a character with inherent vices. He presents a descent of an honorable man to a ‘butcher’ to the audience, which pleads for great sympathy. Macbeth is hailed as ‘noble,’ ‘valiant’ and ‘brave’ for his display of valor in the war against Norway. Fearless Macbeth ‘unseam[s]’ the traitorous Macdonwald ‘from the nave to th' chops.’ This bloody visualization of Macbeth splitting Macdonwald from the belly to the jawbone reinforces his bravery and loyalty to the king and Scotland. Macbeth’s great military feat grants him honorable titles and displays him as a loyal subject. Thus, the initial impression of Macbeth is highly admirable to the audience. If Shakespeare had depicted Macbeth as a character with innate evil characteristics, the audience would feel no pity for him, through course of the play, as it would be expected for such man to commit such deeds. However, it is the transition of an honorable man to a wicked one that begs for sympathy.

Shakespeare evokes sympathy by dissimulating and distancing away Macbeth from the murders. Macbeth never uses the term ‘king’ to describe his coveted position or the deed he must perform to reach that stature. Instead, he indirectly refers to it, by the use of phrases such as ’swelling act of imperial theme,’ ...

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...’s initial longing for ambition. More importantly, the yellow leaf indicates Macbeth’s acceptance of death. He dejectedly states, ‘I have lived long enough’ (5.3. 321). Macbeth realizes all the wrongs of his life and its effects. He wants an end to his life because he does not want to inflict further damage, both to others and his conscience. The audience looks woefully on as Macbeth is on the brink of loss of power, reflects on the things he yearns to have, but never will and finally accepts fate- death.

To evoke sympathy, Shakespeare illuminates inner goodness of Macbeth by providing a transition from honor to disgrace, detaching him from murders, and granting him with a sense of regret. One should judge Macbeth, as Shakespeare means to, not merely in the light of his murders, but holistically in regards to Macbeth’s internal feelings, conscience, and regret.