Macbeth's scene malcolm malcolm's macbeth directors tragic power

Text	How has the last scene been interpreted? The scene is sometimes performed with a loud fanfare and cheering crowds, creating a stirring image of new hope for Scotland. But many critics and directors see the end of Macbeth as unresolved and unsettling. Malcolm might attempt to present an air of finality, but we often have a lingering sense of the tragic loss of Macbeth, or the haunting power of the witches https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/character-analysis-the-witches-in-macbeth . Andrew Gibson argues that in 'all of Shakespeare's tragedies … peace is something of an anti-climax'. We return to 'order and justice', but 'we can't really respect the representatives of order'. The 'bluff, cool, efficient' soldiers seem lacking in 'humanity' after the death of the tragic hero. Malcolm's words seem 'flat', after the 'bleak power' of Macbeth's poetry. The restrained couplets seem empty after we've heard the poignant claim that 'Life's but a walking shadow' (5.5.24). So we're left with an 'insoluble paradox', caught between what is 'good and right' and the 'passionately negative' power of 'imagination' and 'feeling' Others draw attention to the supernatural threat from the 'weird sisters' (1.3.32). When the soldiers hail Malcolm, they unknowingly echo the witches' cry of 'Hail' when they greeted Macbeth and Banquo (1.3.48-50; 62-65). This might create a contrast between the first and last acts, suggesting that the witches will be crushed by this new king https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/king-james-vi-and-is-demonology-1597 . On the other hand, it could imply that little has changed since they prophesied Macbeth's kingship. Perhaps Macbeth and Malcolm will not be so different. Perhaps the promise of greatness conveyed in the words 'Hail, King' will also corrupt Malcolm. Or perhaps his reign will be challenged by the witches' unfulfilled promise that Banquo's 'children shall be kings' (1.3.86). Many directors actually cut the last speech, making Malcolm's triumph seem muted and uncertain, and intensifying our fears about the future of his reign. In Justin Kerzel's 2015 film starring Michael Fassbender, the last line we hear is the rousing cry of 'Hail, King of Scotland', as Malcolm rides off the battlefield past the dead Macbeth. But Kerzel adds a troubling sequence where Banquo's young son, Fleance, takes up Macbeth's dagger and runs into the mist, as if to hunt down Malcolm. This is cut with flashbacks to Act 2, Scene 1, where Macbeth sees a vision of the dagger that will kill Duncan. So the story comes full circle, with the hint that Malcolm's kingship is as vulnerable as his father's, and as 'fruitless' as Macbeth's (3.1.60).

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How has the last scene been interpreted?

The scene is sometimes performed with a loud fanfare and cheering crowds, creating a stirring image of new hope for Scotland. But many critics and directors see the end of Macbeth as unresolved and unsettling. Malcolm might attempt to present an air of finality, but we often have a lingering sense of the tragic loss of Macbeth, or the haunting power of the

witches
https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/character-analysis-the-witches-in-macbeth

Andrew Gibson argues that in 'all of Shakespeare's tragedies … peace is something of an anti-climax'. We return to 'order and justice', but 'we can't really respect the representatives of order'. The 'bluff, cool, efficient' soldiers seem lacking in 'humanity' after the death of the tragic hero. Malcolm's words seem 'flat', after the 'bleak power' of Macbeth's poetry. The restrained couplets seem empty after we've heard the poignant claim that 'Life's but a walking shadow' (5.5.24). So we're left with an 'insoluble paradox', caught between what is 'good and right' and the 'passionately negative' power of 'imagination' and 'feeling'

Others draw attention to the supernatural threat from the 'weird sisters' (1.3.32). When the soldiers hail Malcolm, they unknowingly echo the witches' cry of 'Hail' when they greeted Macbeth and Banquo (1.3.48-50; 62-65). This might create a contrast between the first and last acts, suggesting that the

witches will be crushed by this new king
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/king-james-vi-and-is-demonology-1597

. On the other hand, it could imply that little has changed since they prophesied Macbeth's kingship. Perhaps Macbeth and Malcolm will not be so different. Perhaps the promise of greatness conveyed in the words 'Hail, King' will also corrupt Malcolm. Or perhaps his reign will be challenged by the witches' unfulfilled promise that Banquo's 'children shall be kings' (1.3.86).

Many directors actually cut the last speech, making Malcolm's triumph seem muted and uncertain, and intensifying our fears about the future of his reign. In Justin Kerzel's 2015 film starring Michael Fassbender, the last line we hear is the rousing cry of 'Hail, King of Scotland', as Malcolm rides off the battlefield past the dead Macbeth. But Kerzel adds a troubling sequence where Banquo's young son, Fleance, takes up Macbeth's dagger and runs into the mist, as if to hunt down Malcolm. This is cut with flashbacks to Act 2, Scene 1, where Macbeth sees a vision of the dagger that will kill Duncan. So the story comes full circle, with the hint that Malcolm's kingship is as vulnerable as his father's, and as 'fruitless' as Macbeth's (3.1.60).

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How has the last scene been interpreted?