William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Macbeth is set in 11th-century Scotland, during the feudal system. This system was “based on the retention of land” and placed “an increasing emphasis on local protection, local authorities, and local self-sufficiency” (World History, Section 9-4, pp. 214**).
Nevertheless, Shakespeare lived during the late 16th and early 17th century, a time in which male monarchs with “absolute authority” and “divine right” (W.H., Section 18-3, pp. 430) ruled a strongly centralized state. His plays naturally revealed his preference for a strong centralized monarchy over a feudal authority, which was stable but outdated.
Therefore, Macbeth, arguably Shakespeare’s most political drama, reflects a seemingly stable feudal system full of elusive failings while at the same time showing the tendency towards centralization and foreshadowing the future Age of Kings.
In agreement with the scene of the drama, the customs and rules held by the characters in Macbeth reflect feudal traditions and clearly reveal a feudal authority. The main doctrine of the feudal system is the exchange of vows, described by Galbert of Bruges as: “The count asked if he was willing to go wholly his man, and the other replied: ‘I am willing’; [ … ] Afterwards… [the count] gave coronation to…who by this understanding had given his…oath” (Sources, Section 7-7, pg. 216).
The count gives his liege a reward in return for loyalty. In Macbeth, Duncan condemns the faithless Thane of Cawdor to death and at the same time gives Macbeth a second fief for his triumph in battle (Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 3, ll. 74-76).
These actions are a disguised and cunning attempt to ensure or strengthen the firm loyalty of Duncan’s lieges. Macbeth answers by saying that “your Highness’ portion is to have our duties…safe toward your love and honor” (Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4, ll. 26-27).
This dialogue itself illustrates a subtle ‘exchange of vows’ described by Galbert, as it is the equivalent of a contemporary written contract. Breaking the oath of loyalty given during the coronation ceremony is a severely punished act of treachery.
Hence Macbeth ponders the immorality of his assassination plan: “He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed” (Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7, ll. 12-14). Lastly, the rules and personalities of the characters themselves are feudal (for example, the various “Thanes”) – clearly portraying a stable feudal world.
However, Shakespeare, as a dramatist in monarchial England, intelligibly exposes and illustrates the basic defects of the feudal system. The feudal pyramid consisted of “many knights…with a little fief” above them, their royal lieges “who held larger fiefs,” and “over all…the king” (W. H. Section 9-4, pp. 215).
Keeping order among the powerful lords was a hard undertaking for any ruler; only a strong monarch would be able to exert authority and keep any rebellions or rebellious acts to a minimum or at least in complete check. On the surface, Duncan seems to fit this description.
According to Macbeth, he is “so clear in his great office…that his virtues will plead like angels” (Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7, ll. 18-19). However, both Macdonwald and the Thane of Cawdor start a rebellion against the King, who depends on his other loyal thanes to suppress the rebellion and capture the traitors; apparently, he personally does not participate.
Feudal lords and lieges were expected to participate in war (Bertran de Born, Origins, Section 7-7, pg. 217), and Duncan’s inability or unwillingness to direct his armies is a weakness. (If the thanes decide to remove him from his throne, there is little the King can do against it.)
This shows the primary “loophole” in the feudal system: if the King of a host of lieges is weak, then he becomes a figurehead rather than a real leader, and the entire country becomes further decentralized and isolated as lieges become more independent. Although this defect is usually inevitable, Macbeth presents an even more critical view of the matter – the assassination of Duncan by Macbeth, who replaces him.
The events following that act lead to more chaos, blood, and war: “A swift blessing may soon return to this our suffering country, under a cursed hand” (Macbeth, Act 3, Scene 6, ll. 53-55). Shakespeare clearly demonstrates the problems with the feudal system.
In the end, Macbeth portrays the decline of the feudal system and the rise of greater centralization as a welcomed change. Shakespeare usually includes and comments on the historical events happening around the times in which his plays are set.
Eleventh-century Scotland was experiencing a transition from the Age of Feudalism to the Age of Kings, as powerful lords gained increasing amounts of land and “began to strengthen their control over their own lands” (W. H. Section 10-3, pp. 233). In Macbeth, the form of government is in practice entirely feudal, yet the first hints of impending change begin to appear.
Duncan is constantly referred to as the ‘King of Scotland’ instead of as a lord, and the crown is inherited by birthright: “Our eldest, Malcolm […] we name hereafter the Prince of Cumberland” (Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4, ll. 44-45). The great fortified castles of Scotland, the seats of power of Duncan and his lords, demonstrate centralization at a small level, possibly suggesting the future strength of monarchs.
However, the most obvious example of historical foreshadowing is the final speech made by Malcolm as he regains the throne. He gives the thanes a new title – that of Earls – “the first that ever Scotland in such an honour named” (Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 8, ll. 72-88). This change symbolizes the dawn of a new era of royal power and central government.
Obviously, Macbeth portrays the feudal world predominant in Europe, emphasizing its shortcomings, and foreshadows the historical transfer of power from feudal lords to kings. In fact, most of the play is either historical or political.
England’s King James I strongly supported Shakespeare, and he claimed he was a descendant of Banquo. Therefore, although the historical Macbeth was a noble and just ruler, in Shakespeare’s play, he is depicted as an ambitious and ruthless autocrat, while Banquo is humble and modest. Clearly, William Shakespeare wrote many plays with historical significance behind them, influenced by his ideas or opinions. Macbeth is one of them.
**References refer to the Folger Library edition of ‘Macbeth’, the primary source book ‘Sources of Western Civilization’, and the book ‘World History: Perspectives On The Past’.
