Literature Examples

The Macbeth Chain Of Being

Shakespeare's Macbeth offers a compelling dramatic illustration of the Great Chain of Being, a hierarchical structure that defined the medieval and Renaissance worldview. This essay examines how Macbeth's ambition and regicide shatter this cosmic order, leading to widespread chaos and the eventual restoration of balance. We'll analyze the play's portrayal of natural and supernatural disturbances as reflections of a disrupted hierarchy, and how the play ultimately reaffirms the necessity of divinely ordained order.

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Key considerations

The Great Chain of Being was a hierarchical worldview prevalent in Shakespeare's time, structuring the universe from God downwards.

Macbeth's murder of King Duncan is depicted as a violation of this divinely ordained order, leading to chaos.

Shakespeare uses unnatural events in nature (e.g., inversions of predator-prey relationships, storms) and supernatural elements (witches) to symbolize the disruption of the Chain of Being.

The breakdown of social and political order under Macbeth's tyrannical rule is a direct consequence of his violation of the established hierarchy, with order only restored upon the return of legitimate kingship.

Assignment brief

Analyze how Shakespeare's Macbeth uses the concept of the Great Chain of Being to explore themes of order, disorder, and the consequences of ambition. Discuss specific examples from the play, including natural phenomena, supernatural elements, and the breakdown of social and political structures, to support your argument.

Reference example

The Great Chain of Being, a concept deeply embedded in the medieval and Renaissance worldview, posited a divinely ordained hierarchical structure that extended from God down through angels, humans, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects. This framework provided a sense of cosmic order, where each element had its rightful place and function. Disrupting this chain, particularly at the human level through acts like regicide, was believed to invite chaos not only on Earth but also in the natural and supernatural realms. William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, serves as a potent dramatic exploration of this concept, vividly illustrating the catastrophic consequences that follow the shattering of this established order.

Macbeth's ambition, fueled by the witches' prophecies and Lady Macbeth's relentless goading, leads him to murder King Duncan, the divinely appointed monarch. This act is not merely a political assassination; it is a profound violation of the Great Chain of Being. Duncan, as king, occupies a crucial position, linking the divine to the human realm. His murder creates a void, a tear in the fabric of cosmic and social order. The immediate aftermath of the regicide is marked by a palpable sense of unease and unnatural occurrences, signaling the disruption of the established hierarchy. Lennox, for instance, describes the night as "unruly," with "the earth was feverous and did shake" (2.3.55-56). This physical manifestation of disorder mirrors the moral and political chaos unleashed by Macbeth's deed.

The play further emphasizes the breakdown of natural law through a series of portents and omens. The "darkness" that "will not see the sun" (1.5.50) on the day of Duncan's murder, the "strange screams of death" (2.3.60) heard in the air, and the "owl that shrieked and moused a falcon" (2.3.59) all represent inversions of the natural order. In the Great Chain, the falcon, a noble bird of prey, would typically dominate the owl, a creature associated with night and ill omen. This reversal signifies a world turned upside down, where the natural hierarchy is inverted, reflecting the unnatural act that has occurred. The horses eating each other (2.4.18) is another stark image of nature's perversion, a primal instinct overriding natural order and suggesting a world descending into barbarism.

Beyond the natural world, the supernatural elements in Macbeth also underscore the disruption of the Chain of Being. The witches, figures who operate outside the established order, represent forces that can exploit and exacerbate the consequences of human transgression. Their prophecies, while seemingly offering a path to power, ultimately lead Macbeth further into the abyss of disorder. Their existence and influence highlight the fragility of the human-controlled order when confronted by forces that defy its boundaries. The apparitions that Macbeth sees later in the play, while designed to deceive him, also speak to a world where the boundaries between reality and illusion, life and death, are blurred due to the initial act of disorder.

Macbeth's reign itself is characterized by tyranny and a pervasive atmosphere of fear and suspicion, a direct consequence of his illegitimate seizure of power. The natural order of kingship, where a ruler is expected to maintain peace and justice, is replaced by a regime of violence and paranoia. Scotland, under Macbeth, becomes a land "that cries out, / That whispers, and that cries of treason" (4.3.39-40). The very fabric of society unravels as loyalty is replaced by fear, and trust is eroded. This social breakdown is a direct corollary to the violation of the divinely sanctioned political hierarchy.

Ultimately, the play culminates in the restoration of order with the arrival of Malcolm and the defeat of Macbeth. The return of a legitimate, divinely appointed ruler signifies the re-establishment of the Great Chain of Being. The natural world begins to heal, and the unnatural disturbances cease. The final scene, where Malcolm is proclaimed King of Scotland, marks the mending of the cosmic and political fabric. Shakespeare, through Macbeth, not only critiques the destructive nature of unchecked ambition but also implicitly reaffirms the societal and cosmic necessity of a divinely ordered hierarchy, where each element plays its part in maintaining the stability of the whole.

Understanding the Great Chain of Being in Macbeth

The concept of the Great Chain of Being was a foundational element of medieval and Renaissance thought. It envisioned a strict, divinely ordained hierarchy where everything in the universe had its fixed place. This order began with God at the apex, followed by angels, humanity, animals, plants, and finally, inanimate objects. For humans, this hierarchy extended to the social and political spheres, with monarchs at the top, believed to rule by divine right. Any disruption to this chain, especially at the highest levels, was thought to have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just society but also the natural world and even the spiritual realm. Shakespeare masterfully uses this concept in Macbeth to explore the devastating impact of ambition and regicide on Scotland and its people.

Analysis of the Sample Text

This essay effectively analyzes how Shakespeare's Macbeth dramatizes the disruption of the Great Chain of Being. It moves beyond a simple plot summary to engage with the play's thematic depth, using specific textual evidence to support its claims. The structure is logical, beginning with an introduction to the concept and its relevance, then detailing how Macbeth's actions violate this order, and finally showing the consequences and eventual restoration.

Thesis and Argument

The central argument is that Macbeth's regicide is a profound violation of the Great Chain of Being, leading to widespread chaos in the natural, supernatural, and social realms, which is only resolved with the restoration of legitimate rule. This thesis is clearly stated and consistently developed throughout the essay. The essay argues that the play uses the concept of the Chain of Being not just as a backdrop but as a central thematic device to explore the consequences of ambition and the importance of cosmic and social order.

Structure and Organization

The essay is well-organized, following a clear, logical progression. It begins with an introduction that defines the Great Chain of Being and establishes its relevance to the play. Subsequent paragraphs focus on specific aspects of the disruption: the act of regicide itself, the resulting disturbances in the natural world, the role of the supernatural, the breakdown of social order under Macbeth's tyranny, and the eventual restoration of balance. Each paragraph develops a distinct point that contributes to the overall argument. Transitions between paragraphs are smooth, guiding the reader through the analysis.

Use of Evidence

The essay effectively integrates textual evidence, primarily through direct quotations and specific references to events and descriptions within the play. For example, it cites Lennox's description of the night and the specific instances of unnatural occurrences like the owl preying on the falcon and the horses eating each other. These examples are not merely dropped in but are analyzed to show how they illustrate the disruption of the natural and cosmic order. The references to specific lines (e.g., "unruly," "the earth was feverous and did shake") lend credibility and specificity to the analysis.

Tone and Style

The tone is academic and analytical, suitable for a literary essay. The language is precise and avoids jargon where possible, making the complex concept of the Chain of Being accessible. Sentence structure varies, contributing to a natural reading flow. The essay maintains a formal yet engaging style, focusing on interpretation and argumentation rather than mere description. It presents a clear, reasoned interpretation of the play's thematic concerns.

Revision Opportunities

While the essay is strong, potential areas for enhancement could include a more in-depth exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of the Great Chain of Being, perhaps referencing specific thinkers or texts that influenced Shakespeare's audience's understanding of it. Further analysis could also delve into the psychological impact of this disruption on Macbeth himself, beyond the external manifestations of chaos. Expanding on the role of Lady Macbeth in initiating and perpetuating the disorder, and how her own descent reflects the broken chain, might also enrich the argument. Finally, a more comparative element, briefly touching upon how other Elizabethan/Jacobean plays might engage with similar concepts of order and disorder, could add further academic weight.

Checklist for Analyzing Thematic Concepts

Clearly define the core concept (e.g., Great Chain of Being, patriarchy, existentialism).
Establish the concept's historical/philosophical context.
State a clear thesis about the concept's role in the text.
Identify specific instances (events, symbols, character actions) where the concept is evident.
Analyze how these instances support the thesis.
Explain the consequences of the concept's presence or disruption within the text.
Use direct textual evidence (quotes, paraphrases) to illustrate points.
Maintain an academic tone and clear, organized structure.
Consider the broader implications of the concept for the text's themes and message.
Conclude by summarizing the argument and reinforcing the concept's significance.

Example: Analyzing Supernatural Disturbances

Connecting Omens to the Chain of Being

The essay correctly identifies the supernatural and natural disturbances as key indicators of the broken Chain of Being. For instance, the description of the owl preying on the falcon (2.3.59) is a powerful inversion of the natural hierarchy. In a stable order, the falcon, a symbol of nobility and power, would dominate. Its subjugation by the owl, a creature often associated with ill omen and darkness, signifies that the natural world itself is in disarray. This is not merely a random event; it is a direct consequence of Macbeth's unnatural act of regicide. The essay's strength lies in connecting these specific, often unsettling, images to the broader theoretical framework of the Great Chain of Being, demonstrating how the play uses such disruptions to reflect the moral and political chaos unleashed by Macbeth's ambition.

FAQs

What is the Great Chain of Being?

The Great Chain of Being was a philosophical and religious concept popular in the medieval and Renaissance periods. It described a strict hierarchy of all matter and life, believed to have been decreed by God. This chain began with God at the top, followed by angels, humans, animals, plants, and finally, inanimate objects. Each level had its place and purpose, and maintaining this order was seen as crucial for cosmic harmony and social stability. In human society, this translated to a rigid social structure, with monarchs at the top, ruling by divine right.

How does Macbeth's ambition disrupt the Chain of Being?

Macbeth's ambition leads him to commit regicide – the murder of King Duncan. Duncan, as the divinely appointed king, occupies a crucial position in the human hierarchy, linking the earthly realm to the divine. By murdering Duncan, Macbeth not only usurps the throne illegally but also fundamentally breaks the established cosmic and political order. This act is seen as unnatural and profoundly wrong, triggering a cascade of negative consequences throughout Scotland and the natural world, as depicted in the play.

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