The Escape

The moon has set. I am in England and the clock hasn't struck yet, I remain restless, my dreams conquered by spirits of the deceased. Oh dearest Duncan and Banquo… why must your visions continue to disrupt my peace? Even so, I cannot help but think of both of your demise … equally mysterious and inexplicable. Lately, I have been visited by daunting apparitions who continue to haunt me. Once Methought I heard a voice cry. “Macduff….Macduff… kill Macbeth for he is a treacherous liar! He shall sleep no more! You must AVENGE us!” Was it a dream or have I become crazy? Sadly, I am unsure at this point. Yet, there is one thing that I am certain of… that despicable Macbeth hath put both Duncan and Banquo to rest. The drastic change in his status from the inferior “Thane of Glamis” to the mighty “King of Scotland” is quite mysterious indeed. Methinks Macbeth’s loyalty should be questioned as his guilt is apparent.

Macbeth does not deserve the privilege of “LIFE”. He is the evilest upon evil. The wickedest upon wicked. Why should I give him permission to destroy more lives? That bloodthirsty mongrel hath put all of our kind, praising words to shame. “Loyal, Brave Macbeth” hah! I scoff upon such words of gratitude. I feel ashamed for once referring him as “a friend”. It’s all just a bloody disguise I tell you! First Duncan, then Banquo who’ll be next? His kindness is akin to a conniving mask which upon first look seems caring and sympathetic whilst underneath the surface lays a cruel, merciless serpent! Thou poisonous earth-vexing death-token!

His treachery makes that of “The thane of Cawdor” seem tame. For he is the most horrible ghastly, backstabbing, despicable man I ever met. Yet, I know his plan very well. Macbeth cannot shelter his deceitfulness for long. For him and his cunning lady have played this game of deceit for too long. AGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no other word that makes me cringe more than the utterance of the revolting word “MACBETH”.

Yet, I still have this horrible intuition that something dreadful will happen in Scotland. No matter how discrete my escape was, Macbeth would have become suspicious by now. Thus, he will certainly take advantage of my absence by performing yet another horrible deed to my people.THAT SCOUNDREL! I pray that my beloved wife and child shall remain in safe hands until I make my return to Scotland. Oh my lady, and dearest son Fleance. It pains me to abandon the two of you at such a time but, I believe it was a must. Being apart from the two loves of my life was the hardest part of this venture. But, some day you will understand my intentions . For the fate of Scotland lies solely in my hands. Ay, Macbeth will be conquered! With the help from the King of England, Banquo and Duncan will be AVENGED!

I believe that this image truly depicts the reality of Macbeth’s character. Like MacDuff stated, his rival Macbeth is very good at sheltering his emotions underneath a mask of deceit. Upon first look, Macbeth appears to be a loyal and compassionate person. But, it is upon closer examination where Macbeth’s true character is revealed. Like this mask, Macbeth’s character appears to be bleak and somewhat one-dimensional to the other characters. As a result, he became skilled at sheltering his true emotions, and is consequently able to convince the other characters of having “genuine intentions”. However, MacDuff was the first to question Macbeth’s loyalty, which shows that he could see past the disguise. Macbeth’s guilt becomes increasingly apparent and by the end of the novel everyone begins to question his sincerity.

-Benesha Viji