FREE ESSAY ON MARXIST THEORY

MARXIST THEORY

The Marxist literary theory is based on the idealistic notion of socialism, therefore,
economics is at the center of Marxism. Everyone is equal and nobody has more money than
anyone else. The Marxist theory says that all actions follow a logical, scientific
pattern. That statement is the complete opposite from the world Macbeth lived in where
status was gained by murder, and immortality was gained by dying. Social progress is also
a key aspect of Marxism. It involves the advancement of the whole community not just one
person, to the point where everyone is equal. Marxism also encourages the formation of a
middle class and equality among all the people of the community. From a Marxist point of
view, materialism is seen as a step backwards because the people who feel the need to
accumulate wealth and possessions do not understand their responsibility to their fellow
folk. 
Macbeth is lacking self-respect and confidence by conforming to the wishes and demands of
those around him such as the witches and most of all Lady Macbeth. This is a form of
social regression, which is a point of consistency in Macbeth's character. Duncan was one
of the most beloved kings and by Macbeth killing Duncan he creates countrywide
corruption. By killing Duncan he not only destroys a country, he destroys himself. The
gradual deterioration of Macbeth's sanity is matched with Macbeth's loyalty to the King.
After his newfound power in the Thane of Cawdor his loyalty and self-respect take a
drastic plunge. As Lady Macbeth slowly influences him to kill Duncan, Macbeth becomes
more and more committed to the idea of power. Lady Macbeth keeps on wanting more and more
and as Macbeth slowly transforms into her he becomes as greedy and materialistic as her.
Marxism is against materialism because if one hoards all the goods than there can be no
equality within the community. Materialism in any form does not serve the common good of
the society. Duncan's murder is a slow process because it his first and he contemplates
the severity and consequences of this murder more so than any to follow. By killing
Duncan Macbeth killed God's divine presence on earth and by killing Macbeth, MacDuff
kills the devil's presence on earth. Before Macbeth kills the king he contemplates the
consequences of the crime. Macbeth, at this point, is not planning on killing Duncan. It
is in more of a hypothetical context. 
"But in these cases we still have judgement here; that we but teach bloody instructions,
which, being taught return to plague th' inventor." -- Macbeth Act I vii lines 7-10. 
Macbeth knows that the action of this crime will haunt him and eventually ruin him. If he
kills Duncan someone will ultimately take his life. He realizes the consequences of his
actions and knows that eventually they will come back to haunt him and possibly have the
same thing done to him. He does not think that he will ever actually kill the king, only
for the king. In the war when Macbeth served loyally and killed for the country and
everyone in it he was fitting in with the ideas of Marxism. By serving everyone Macbeth
along with everyone else was progressing. But when he kills Duncan he kills for purely
selfish reasons. 
"I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on't again I dare not."
Macbeth is completely terrified and beside himself at what he has done. He already wants
to block it out of his memory. This is just the beginning of the journey he is going to
take towards complete anti-Marxist behavior. 
Banquo's murder shows what level Macbeth allowed himself to stoop to. He had his best
friend murdered in an effort to cover up his mistake. This is the perfect example of how
power in the wrong hands can so quickly go awry. 
"So he is mine (enemy), and in such bloody distance that every minute of my his being
thrusts against my near'st of life: and though I could with barefaced power 
sweep him from my sight and bid my will avouch it..." (III,i ll. 16-20) 
Macbeth declares to the murderers while convincing them that Banquo is the enemy, that he
could kill Macbeth face to face and have no remorse about it. This is the continuing saga
of Macbeth's attempts to keep his power. He continues on his downward spiral of social
regression. He has become cold and heartless and has become desensitized to murder.
Killing people just keeps getting easier and easier for Macbeth especially because of
Lady Macbeth's constant influence over him. 
"Blood will have blood" (III,iv ll. 123) 
Macbeth at some point has a moment of clarity and realizes that what he is doing is
extremely destructive. By this point he knows that there is no way to stop all the
killing unless he himself is killed. 
Macduff didn't believe that they would kill a wife and a child, which is why he left
them. Honor among thieves kind of thing. The thought of Macbeth stooping so low gets to
the very core of Macduff and their murders eventually avenged by the slaying of Macbeth.
Macbeth has just entered Macduff's estate. 
"His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. No boasting
like a fool; This deed I'll do before this purpose cool:" (IV,ii ll. 152-155) 
Macbeth becomes more and more withdrawn from the former shell of himself. He has no
problem with killing innocent, defenseless people. Macbeth was also mad at MacDuff, or
possibly even scared of MacDuff when he didn't show up for Macbeth's coronation. Macbeth
was also jealous of MacDuff because he had children and Macbeth had none. 
"Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it." (IV, iii ll. 229)
The perfect way to ruin MacDuff would be to kill his family. Macbeth's plan was spoiled
by MacDuff's resilience. Macduff's revenge is only strengthened by the guilt brought on
by the murder of his family. Macbeth is not afraid to die because after the murdering of
Banquo he knew he had gone way past the point of no return. Macbeth was left with no one
to blame but himself because Lady Macbeth killed herself. She realized too that there is
no way that they would ever rid themselves of the deed they did. Macbeth can't blame it
on the witches because witches are not a respected source of information. 
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had everything yet were in constant fear of losing it. Greed,
money, lies, deceit, misuse of power all get you nothing in the end. Nothing was gained
by anyone in this whole story yet too many things were lost. This play displayed social
regression, not progression. Materialism instead of creating equality for the whole
community was extremely evident. The scientific order of things was backwards. By killing
Duncan Macbeth gained the status he wanted. The rest of the murders were simply to keep
that status as well as his name clear. Somewhere in the midst of all of it he knew that
it wasn't worth it at all. Greed and money from an economic standpoint was the thing that
could be directly related to Marxism.