In Shakespeare’s Macbeth the theme of equivocation arises numerous times throughout various portions of the play in order to make the plot effective. His unique representation of Macbeth’s uncontrollable desire for power that often leads to irregular or violent actions, resulting in death and/or destruction is an incredible force that attracts all sorts of audiences. The way that this force is conveyed is through the theme mentioned above, equivocation. Webster’s Dictionary defines equivocation as the use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, with a purpose to mislead. There are several key moments involving equivocation that allowed the entire story to evolve the way it has. The main example is when Macbeth began wondering whether or not what the witches were telling him was true or merely a fib. Another example is when Macbeth was planning the murder of Duncan and uses equivocation in order to persuade himself that it is fate that is making him commit this crime, not himself. The final example is the apparition with two meanings given to Macbeth by the witches stating that he doesn’t have to fear any man or woman for he cannot be killed by someone who was conceived from a woman.
Soon after he had been named Thane of Cawdor and had encountered the witches for the first time, Macbeth was wondering if the rest of the witch’s prophecies could come true. Here, Banquo remarks, “oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tells us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray us / In deepest consequence” (1.3.123-126). Banquo attempts to warn Macbeth that the witches could lure him to great evil by telling small truths. The way that this is equivocation is because what Banquo is saying is correct and the witches are using their prophecies of Macbeth to
mislead him and take control of his actions in order to negatively affect his life. Even though Banquo does not use the word equivocation, it is what he is referring to. Unfortunately for Macbeth, he does not listen and it all comes back to him in the end.
Immediately after Banquo had warned Macbeth, Macbeth goes on to say in an aside, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me / Without my stir." (1.3.154-156). At this moment Macbeth demonstrates a belief in the controlling force of fate. He indicates that if killing Duncan is truly meant to be it will happen on its own, without any help from him. However, he almost immediately turns around and begins to take matters into his own hands as he communicates with his wife and begins to plot the murder of the king. He has begun to equivocate claiming that fate will make the king die on his own while he still causes it to happen; demonstrating a lack of faith in the fate he believes gives him grounds for his claim to the throne.
“Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth.” (4.1.85-87). This is one of the apparitions given to Macbeth from the three witches. It is basically saying that Macbeth does not have to worry about anyone born of a woman harming him. However, children were considered unnatural or not born of a woman in Shakespeare’s times if they were surgically born through a caesarian section. Macduff was one of those children, causing Macbeth’s entire interpretation of the apparitions to change. Macduff goes on to kill Macbeth.
Ultimately, equivocation causes the downfall of Macbeth and an incredible conclusion to the well written play, as well. It is only through close examination that the true theme of equivocation is visible. Ambiguities like the ones in Macbeth cause a great deal of confusion resulting in an indirect interpretation of what has been said. Be it through apparitions, fate or false interpretation, equivocation is an underlying theme expressed in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
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