Theme Of Good Vs Evil In Macbeth

It’s hard to imagine the line, “Fuck, fuckity, fuck” having any relationship to a Shakespearean work, but in the movie adaption Scotland, PA it manages to find a place. Both Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Billy Morrisette’s movie Scotland, PA tell the story of a man and a woman who look to move past their place in society and are eventually corrupted and destroyed by the power they were so eager to obtain. While not every aspect of Scotland, PA follows true to the original work it was adapted from; it can be greatly beneficial to look at the two in comparison to better understand what exactly is trying to be said in the plot of this tragic downfall. By closely examining the morals of the characters involved and the theme of good vs. evil the answer

At the beginning of the play it is easy to say that Macbeth is a moral man, and is rewarded for the patriotism he showed his country by being given the title Thane of Cawdor and King Duncan announces, “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won” (1.2.70). Duncan and those around him see Macbeth as nobler than other men; the old thane of Cawdor betrayed the King and in doing so crossed the line into evil. Macbeth’s strength in battle righted this wrong, and in this instant he clearly showed that his morals were good. However, as the play comes to an end and the bodies have piled up questions of whether Macbeth truly lacks all morals is on everyone’s lips. For Lady Macbeth, her morality starts out in question, “Only look up clear: /To alter favor ever is to fear. / Leave all the rest to me” (1.5.69-71). From the very beginning Lady Macbeth is the one who emboldens Macbeth to kill Duncan; the very plan stems from her. As the play goes on though, Macbeth begins to take the wheel and again we are led to question is it really fair to blame Lady Macbeth for all that has happened? Or, does the entire blame fall on the witches who created the very seeds of these dark ideas? In Scotland, PA these same questions of where exactly does the moral boundary line stand, and who ultimately lead the way in crossing it first are at play. Yet, it is not entirely obvious as to who took the first step or

Macbeth conveys this emotion best by saying there is truly nothing worth living for without his presence on this earth. Scotland, PA provides this same assurance by providing us with a look into the funeral where many attended and others are gravely upset with what happened. Another character that gives us a contrasting image of good verses evil is Banquo. In the play he is loyal to his friend Macbeth who is with him during the initial battle, the witches prediction, and his ascend to the throne. In the movie adaption he is also a loyal friend who revels the embezzlement to Mac that got him the promotion to assistant manager. The goodness he projects is also evident in his willingness to share his obvious concerns regarding the Macbeths with Lieutenant McDuff despite their long friendship. McDuff though, is the best character to look at for the idea of what it means to be good. In Shakespeare’s play he is the one that severs Macbeths head ending the tyrannical reign, and in the movie he is the good detective constantly on the pursuit of justice. In Morrisette’s adaption Mac makes rather obvious comments on how McDuff seems to be more god-like than him. He is a mediating, German car driving, vegetarian while Mac is a greasy fast food worker, who drives an American car, and eats meat. Mac’s ability to see the difference between their two