Summary Of The Great Chain Of Being In Macbeth

My visual representation of the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare focuses on the specific interpretation of the play in relation to the Great Chain of Being. In my illustration, I draw Macbeth and Lady Macbeth climbing the Great Chain of Being to represent how they metaphorically elevate themselves from their proper place in society to become King and Queen. Although the characters in the play are unaware of the chain, their actions and the consequences that surface from their rule exemplify the very tenets of the philosophy. In my visual representation I target Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s key characteristics as seen at the beginning of the play. In regards to Macbeth, I focus on his hesitation to kill King Duncan: “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, / Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host, / Who should against his murderer shut the door, / Not bear the knife myself” (1.7. 28). I chose to illustrate Macbeth looking behind him as he climbs the ladder, to emphasize his initial uncertainty as he hesitates to betray his loyalty to Duncan. In relation, Macbeth hesitates to kill the King

In Macbeth, I believe that Macbeth’s downfall is a result of his disruption and violation to the natural order. Furthermore, I also believe Macbeth’s loses his own reason once he defies his place in society, which is parallel to the principles of the Great Chain of Being. Another one of the tenets of the philosophy is once one abandons their place is society, they defy human nature, thus causing chaos in the natural world. The many parallels between the play and the principles of the Great Chain of Being philosophy lead me to depict this aspect of Macbeth. In conclusion, my illustration showcases one of the play’s main themes as well the ideology of the natural order, which I believe is the very philosophy Shakespeare is trying to emphasize in his iconic