Gender, Guilt, and Fate - Macbeth, Part 2: Crash Course Literature 410

This week on Crash Course Literature, John Green is continuing to talk about Shakespeare's dark, bloody, Scottish play, Macbeth. This time around, we're looking at the play's characters operate, how the play deals with gender, and the Macbeth as an early anti-hero. He's no Walter White, but you can definitely love to hate him. Or hate to love him. Or both!

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[MrJonLott]

When I was in my senior year of high school, I played Lady Macbeth in our production of Macbeth.  It was an all boys school.

[JosephClayson]

"I was a c-section baby"
- boring
- generic
- unoriginal


"I was from my mother's womb untimely ripped"
- metal as hell
- much cooler
- could be the fulfillment of a witches prophecy

[vickymc]

I always thought that lady Macbeth's kids must have been infant mortalitys, as she never talks about them as older than "babes". And it was really common for children to die before the age of 5.

[muhetojess]

the way your words flow is just, its just beautiful, its just.

amazing

[anthonyhinkel]

The Wyrd Sisters - Wyrd is an old norse term very similar to fate. If something was 'wyrd' it was 'fated to happen'. Just, putting that out there. They are the fate sisters, but I think that's the original debate anyways...

[BrianHutzellMusic]

There is something fascinating about watching a character—real or fictional—slowly (or sometimes rapidly) cross over to the dark side. Literary examples include Clyde Griffiths (American Tragedy), Michael Corleone (The Godfather), and of course Frankenstein’s monster. In film, a recent famous example is Anakin Skywalker.

[ryanalman]

I really enjoy Shakespeare’s plays being analyzed

[purpandorange]

I actually really like how Macbeth continues to fight when he realizes he will not survive his fight with Macduff, like even after he realized that he no longer has a hope he continues to fight. To me, that shows he is still a warrior despite becoming a butcher and losing everything.

[bb]

Macbeth is the 17th century's "Breaking Bad." Both Walter White and Macbeth, starting out as maybe good people, resort to violence and killing to achieve their goals. White becomes "Heisenberg" and Macbeth becomes king. It doesn't end well for either of them.The will to power corrupts.

[stacysilver]

Even though I had to read this for school, I enjoyed every minute of it. We acted out the play in my class and I got to read the "out out damn spot" speech. My favorite Shakespeare play out of the four I've read. I'm planning on reading more Shakespeare for sure though.

[milliern]

This is the most tasteful and unoffensive discussion of gender roles I have ever encountered, and I feel the forum of literature was a fantastic place for it. Excellent job.

[ravencloud]

Lesson of the day:
Dont convince people to kill the king of Scotland

[gardenhead]

I think it's more accurate to say that Jamie Lannister went from Villain to Anti-Hero

[ILikedGooglePlus]

Your mention of Jaime Lannister made me realise the extent to which Stannis parallels Macbeth

[asphaltpilgrim]

Shout out to all those who agree that the C-section reveal is a cop out. Dude still had a mother, are we saying that C-section babies aren't 'born'? But y'know, that's just like, my opinion man.

[sststr]

Babylon 5 also dealt with the forgiveness issue, both in a big picture way with Londo, in a very Macbeth kind of way, feeling he cannot change his course after he starts dealing with the Shadows, and in little picture ways like the episode "Passing Through Gethsemane" where Edward explicitly asks if there is enough forgiveness for his sins.

[AlexPope]

Thanks, John, those were great vids - especially this one. Nailed all the salient points as far as I'm concerned. Interesting that the concept of manliness (and womanliness) was complex even then. And yes - it is shocking how many recent shows mirror the Macbeths and their difficult rise to power. It's a powerful story.

[rachelelizabeth]

I just LOOVE these videos!!! That you guys so much for doing what you do! 💕☺️💕

[rainydaylady]

I've always thought that if Macbeth hadn't run into the witches that none of the rest would have happened. Or did their predictions just speed things up? Would Macbeth's success have gone to his head and made him think he was good king material anyway?

[kewakl]

THE SCOTTISH


"Hot potato, orchestra stalls, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, off his drawers, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, orchestra stalls, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, off his drawers, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, orchestra stalls, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, off his drawers, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, orchestra stalls, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, off his drawers, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, orchestra stalls, Puck will make amends!"
"Hot potato, off his drawers, Puck will make amends!"
Sense and Senility