Great Chain Of Being Macbeth

The Great Chain of Being and the Unraveling of Order in Macbeth

Shakespeare's Macbeth is not simply a thrilling tale of ambition and murder; it's a profound exploration of societal and cosmic order, a concept deeply rooted in the medieval and Renaissance worldview known as the Great Chain of Being. This hierarchical structure, extending from God to inanimate matter, profoundly shaped the Elizabethan understanding of the universe and society. Understanding the Great Chain of Being is crucial to comprehending the play's central themes of disruption, chaos, and the devastating consequences of violating natural law. This article will delve into the intricate relationship between Macbeth's actions and the unraveling of this divinely ordained order, examining how Shakespeare uses imagery, character development, and dramatic structure to illustrate the catastrophic implications of ambition unchecked.

The Hierarchical Structure: Understanding the Great Chain of Being

The Great Chain of Being posits a hierarchical universe, a divinely ordained structure where every being occupies a specific place. At the apex sits God, followed by angels, then humans (with monarchs at the top of human hierarchy), then animals, plants, and finally inanimate matter. Within each level, further hierarchies exist, reflecting a strict order of dominance and subordination. This wasn't simply a philosophical concept; it was interwoven into the very fabric of Elizabethan society, justifying social structures and political power. Disrupting this order was believed to unleash chaos and invite divine retribution.

Shakespeare masterfully utilizes this concept in Macbeth. The play begins with a sense of established order, albeit a slightly precarious one. King Duncan, representing the divinely appointed ruler, embodies the apex of the human hierarchy. His reign, while not entirely peaceful, is presented as relatively stable. The natural world reflects this order – the weather is calm, and the kingdom appears prosperous.

Macbeth's Violation: Ambition and the Shattering of Order

Macbeth's ambition, fueled by the witches' prophecies and Lady Macbeth's manipulative influence, becomes the catalyst for the disintegration of this carefully balanced order. His regicide, the most egregious act of rebellion imaginable within the Great Chain of Being, is not merely a political crime; it's a cosmic transgression. By murdering his king, Macbeth violates the fundamental principle of hierarchy, usurping a position he doesn't rightfully possess. This act ripples through the entire structure, causing widespread disorder.

The immediate consequence is the disruption of the natural world. Shakespeare uses vivid imagery of unnatural phenomena to depict this cosmic imbalance. We see storms, darkness, and unnatural occurrences, reflecting the chaos reigning in the human realm. The once-harmonious relationship between humans and nature is fractured, mirroring the fractured political landscape. The play is peppered with examples:

• The unnatural darkness: The prolonged darkness following Duncan's murder emphasizes the unnaturalness of the act and the ensuing disorder. Night itself, a natural phenomenon, becomes twisted and distorted, mirroring the moral darkness in Macbeth's soul and the kingdom.

• The disrupted natural order: The appearance of strange and unnatural sights, like the owl killing the falcon, or horses eating each other, symbolizes the inversion of the natural order. These events are not simply coincidental; they are symbolic representations of the upheaval caused by Macbeth's actions.

• The weather's reflection of inner turmoil: The tempestuous weather reflects the internal turmoil and chaos within Macbeth, mirroring the disturbed state of Scotland. The once-stable weather patterns are shattered, echoing the fragmentation of social and political order.

The Descent into Chaos: The Unraveling of the Chain

As Macbeth descends deeper into tyranny, the Great Chain of Being continues to unravel. His reign, marked by paranoia, violence, and betrayal, is a far cry from the relative stability under Duncan. His relentless pursuit of power leads to a domino effect of violence and instability. Each murder, each act of betrayal, further weakens the very fabric of the kingdom, pushing it closer to complete anarchy.

The play showcases this disintegration through the increasing frequency of violence and the breakdown of social structures. The once-loyal thanes turn against Macbeth, fueled by his tyranny and the obvious injustice of his reign. The collapse of loyalty and the rise of rebellion are direct consequences of the initial violation of the Great Chain of Being. The entire social hierarchy becomes corrupted and unstable, culminating in a bloody and chaotic civil war.

The deterioration isn't limited to the political sphere; it extends to the moral and psychological realms. Macbeth's descent into tyranny is accompanied by a loss of humanity and reason. He becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated, a testament to the destructive nature of unchecked ambition. His conscience, once present, is gradually eroded, replaced by a chilling indifference to violence and suffering. This inner chaos reflects and intensifies the external chaos he has unleashed.

Lady Macbeth and the Perversion of Natural Order

Lady Macbeth's role is crucial in understanding the play's connection to the Great Chain of Being. She actively participates in disrupting the natural order, initially by urging Macbeth to commit regicide. Her ambition, mirroring Macbeth's, contributes to the initial transgression and its ensuing consequences. However, unlike Macbeth, her ambition is ultimately self-destructive. Her descent into madness and eventual suicide highlight the devastating consequences of defying natural laws and the inherent limitations of human ambition in the face of a divinely ordained order.

Her ambition isn't solely about power; it's about overturning the established order and assuming a position she isn't entitled to. Her unnatural behavior, including her attempts to suppress her feminine nature and her callous disregard for human life, reflect the perversion of the natural order she actively seeks to achieve. Her sleepwalking scenes are a powerful portrayal of her fractured psyche and the inescapable consequences of her actions.

The Restoration of Order: The Triumph of Justice

The final act of the play demonstrates the restoration of order, though it's a restoration born from bloodshed and chaos. Macbeth's defeat and Malcolm's ascension to the throne symbolize the re-establishment of the divinely ordained hierarchy. The violence of Macbeth's reign is countered by the violence necessary to restore order. Malcolm's promise of justice and his commitment to rebuilding the kingdom indicate a return to a more stable and just society, albeit one scarred by the preceding events.

The final image of Malcolm's reign highlights the importance of adhering to the Great Chain of Being. The restoration isn't simply a political victory; it’s a reaffirmation of cosmic order, a symbolic mending of the fractured chain. While the scars of Macbeth’s reign remain, the play suggests that the natural order, though profoundly disrupted, ultimately possesses an inherent resilience.

Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of the Great Chain of Being

The Great Chain of Being in Macbeth serves as more than a historical backdrop; it's a central thematic element that illuminates the play's enduring power. Shakespeare masterfully uses the concept to explore the devastating consequences of violating natural and social order, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the human and cosmic realms. Macbeth's ambition doesn't merely lead to political upheaval; it disrupts the very fabric of existence, causing chaos that resonates throughout the play's narrative.

The play's enduring appeal lies partly in its ability to explore timeless themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of unchecked desire within a framework that resonates even today. While we may not subscribe to the literal structure of the Great Chain of Being, the underlying principles of order, justice, and the consequences of disrupting established systems remain profoundly relevant. Macbeth's story serves as a cautionary tale, a powerful reminder of the fragility of order and the catastrophic potential of ambition unchecked. The play's enduring resonance lies in its ability to translate these timeless concepts into a compelling and emotionally powerful narrative. The chaos Macbeth unleashes isn't just political; it's a fundamental disruption of the natural world and the human soul, a powerful metaphor for the consequences of disregarding ethical and social boundaries. The play leaves us pondering the precarious balance between order and chaos, and the enduring human struggle to maintain a sense of harmony within ourselves and the world around us.