THE MACBETH COUPLE IN THE GRIP OF NIHILISM AND DESPAIR

Abstract

Macbeth is one of the great tragedies of Shakespeare. Its two central characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth at last turn out to be nihilists in the play. Because of the execution of their evil design, their commission of crime, morbid psychology, frailties, sheer oscillation, losing convictions, breaking order and natural human instinct and above all the condition of their being childless, they succumb to political, ethical and existential nihilism and despair. With regard to this, various crises and problems arise out of their evil ingenuity, wrong motivation, ‘vaulting ambition’ and unnatural imagination. In fact, a lot of valuable criticism on Macbeth from different angles has already been poured in, but the treatment of the present theme of the play appears to be slim. Therefore, relevant criticism has been consulted for exploring this present area properly and presenting the new vistas convincingly. As the topic has a new dimension with great critical interest, the efforts have been made to deal with it in the article elaborately and penetratingly. Ultimately this study tries to prove that the Macbeth couple cannot withstand the universal order of existence and at last, bereft of all values and beliefs, become the victim of profound despair and nihilism and are destined to invite their final unfortunate doom, as tragic as harrowing, as an isolated couple, in their autonomous world of meaninglessness.