3 ecocritical ideas in Macbeth | Top grade Shakespeare analysis

[@bakirathethirukumaran]

Hi Jen! This was so fascinating and you've introduced so many compelling ideas that I would have never thought about. But, I was wondering that perhaps the notion of the witches being physical embodiments of air pollution may not extend to them 'creating' it as such, but they are instead left marginalised into an atmosphere of 'fog' and 'filthy air' since they do not conform to 'healthy' or 'natural' societal gender expectations. Maybe it is this forcible ostracisation that has left them feeling bitterly vindictive, causing them to take part in perverse acts of environmental destruction which we can see when they chant 'fire burn and cauldron bubble'. So, when Macbeth says 'Infected be the air where on they ride', he may not be explicitly claiming that the witches 'infect' the air themselves, but their name and actions are synonymous with such infection, and so use it as a tool in their pursuit of revenge (they only 'ride' on the 'infected air', they don't seem to necessarily 'create' it). So, in other words, maybe they don't cause the air pollution, they are simply associated with it (and rather unjustly, if I might add). Or, perhaps, if we focus on what quantifies 'fog' in itself, that being condensed water vapour, I believe that it paints an image of the gender expectations on Jacobean women to be powerless and submissive - something 'gaseous' and inherently expected to fuel all women - condensing and liquifying into these transgressive women who reject these aforementioned gender norms. If we take it a step further, 'fog' obscures and hides, but at its core, the water vapour and therein, the initial water molecule, will always be there (it is only in a different state), just like the true 'essence' of women will always be there in these witches, despite their admirable efforts to hide and transform it into 'filthy air'. 'Air' also invades and penetrates through everything in its grasp, and so does 'fog' which envelops everything in its clutches, which could draw to your own interpretation that the air pollution that the witches' ostensibly embody, penetrate the confines of Macbeth's ego, completely distorting his perception of morality, but also his id, bringing forth desires in his subconscious that should preferably be left untouched. Furthermore, the 'filthy air' and 'fog' can cause undeniable harm for sure, but air pollution is mitigable and is ephemeral, which could suppose that the witches' power and evil essence is temporary - just like air pollution, it can be reverted back to its healthy state which is achieved through Macbeth's demise, and therein the dissolution of 'fog' and cleaning of the 'filthy air'. Thank you so much for your interpretations and as a GCSE student, they've really made me enjoy literature and open my mind to how engaging archaic texts can be :)

[@JenChan]

This is fantastic stuff, Bakirathe! I love your interpretation. Yes, your point about the witches being marginalised by the moral 'fogginess' of the broader environment - and being triggered into creating environmental destruction through 'fire burn' etc. makes total sense. Also insightful of you to pick up on the association air pollution and the witches' power, although perhaps I'd suspect a more hardline ecocritic may challenge your view that (the impact of) air pollution is ephemeral...! Thank you for engaging with my interpretation so thoughtfully, though - you're most definitely a literary scholar in the making 🤩

[@bakirathethirukumaran]

@@JenChan Thank you so much! 😊I honestly wouldn't have been able to ruminate about criticism in this way without your help. Even if it is only behind a screen, you've done so much for students immersing themselves in literature (which initially does seem really intimidating), so thank you :)

[@hamnaali4977]

Wow, I'm mind-blown by your perceptive and exploratory interpretation!

[@bakirathethirukumaran]

@@hamnaali4977 Thank you :)

[@nicholasshmicholas2637]

Perhaps an example of Macbeth's own destruction towards nature, could be after he murders Duncan. Where thee natural order tear itself down. "Darkness in Daytime" "And Duncan's horses- Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out"

[@JenChan]

Oh yes, love this! Thanks for suggesting :)

[@jovialneha]

Hello and i am grateful to this extravagant video on Macbeth and its interconnection with Ecocriticism.Can you please make a video on how to write a research paper and identify research gaps? Thank you ❤

[@JenChan]

Thanks for watching! Research paper writing isn't my forte or the focus of this channel, though.

[@floraleuphoria241]

thank you so much for this! have my exam tomorrow and i’m hoping i can mention some of this :))

[@JenChan]

Thanks for watching! And all the best with your exams xxx

[@christiangirltalk070]

how did it go

[@lamlamco275]

Become your fan rn :DD!! interesting vid !

[@JenChan]

Thanks :) I appreciate you!

[@srr7674]

Amazing video

[@JenChan]

Thanks for watching!