Theme Of Sympathy In Macbeth

Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet from the Middle Ages, had once said “There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery.” Today, this quote is put into effect in arts and literature in order to draw out feelings of sympathy from the readers and rom the audience. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the titular character plays the role of a tragic hero, having had his honorable life completely changed for the worst after the appearance of three meddling witches. Macbeth’s slow descent from morality into evil, and his subsequent downfall are used to evoke sympathy from the audience towards the character in spite of his wrongdoings.

The contrast between Macbeth’s character in the beginning and the middle of the play portrays to the audience his original noble nature, thus setting up his role as a tragic hero. In the opening of the play, a sergeant of Duncan’s army rushes in to inform the King of Macbeth’s heroic deeds on the battlefield. King Duncan responds with admiration, proclaiming that Macbeth is “[his] valiant cousin [and a] worthy gentleman” (1. 2. 24), thus highlighting Macbeth’s noble and courageous reputation at the beginning of the play. Furthermore, Macbeth’s resolve to adhere to his own moral values an ability to think logically are demonstrated when he decides against killing the King, pointing out that “as [he is] his kinsman and his subject, strong both against [killing the King]”

(1. 7. 13-14), and realizing that “we but teach bloody instructions, which...return to plague th’ inventor” (1. 7. 8-10). However, a great role reversal is seen when Macbeth assumes the role of King, as he willingly goes as far as to harm other people unrelated to his position in order to eliminate any possible threats. Immediately after his conversation with the three witches, Macbeth declares that he intends to “give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls” (4. 1. 158-159). This epitomizes a darker, and more ruthless personality that has manifested in Macbeth –one who will not think twice before murdering innocent people. Hence, the great contrast between Macbeth’s character at the beginning and the end, from a noble and righteous man to a ruthless and power hungry killer, is used to set up Macbeth’s character as a tragic hero in order to draw out sympathy from the members of the audience.
Macbeth’s apathetic outlook towards life at the end of the play serves to evoke sympathy from the audience despite his many wrongdoings throughout the play. Before Malcolm and Macduff storm the palace, Macbeth realizes that he no longer has anything to look forward to in life –his wife had recently committed suicide, and all his friends have either been killed or have left him. He regrettably says to himself “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more” (5. 5. 24-26), exemplifying his despondent views towards living. He later adds “[Life] is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” (5. 5. 26-28), illustrating his regret in life as he has realized the stupidity of his actions have led him to a life devoid of meaning. In addition, after the banquet where Macbeth hallucinates and sees Banquo’s ghost, he dismally notes that “[he is] in blood stepped in so far that, should [he] wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3. 4. 142-144), demonstrating that although he realizes the faults in his actions, he has gone too far into his crimes that he can no longer go back to where he originally started. Through Macbeth’s lack of meaning for life at the end of the play, the audience will feel sympathetic for the man despite his many crimes, as he has come to realize the errors in his ways.
The contrast in Macbeth’s character at different parts of the play serves to portray a character worthy of receiving sympathy from the members of the audience.

Macbeth perfectly portrays the idea that “there is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery,” having realized how he has ruined his own life when he is about to lose everything at the final battle. Arts and literature are recurring users of this theme not only to draw out more vivid emotions from its targeted audience, but also to remind them to treasure what they have right

now.