An Analysis Of Macbeth With Criminological Theories

Shakespearian dramas have been commented for centuries. A great many critics have made their unique comments. However, this does not mean that with the passage of time and the rapid development of the society, there will not be any new interpretation. The truth is on the contrary.Macbeth, the protagonist of one of the four great tragedies by Shakespeare, has much in common with everyone in our society in the aspect of human needs. Therefore, as the corpus of criminological study, Macbeth can be better understood and a new interpretation may come into being.This thesis intends to apply some basic criminological theories to the interpretation of Macbeth. According to criminological theories, there are basically three phases before an actor performs a crime: the formation of criminal motivation, intent and determination. Likewise, the thesis is arranged in three chapters, which are in line with the sequence of the three phases and also the plot of the play. In addition, in each chapter, the related criminological and psychological theories are firstly presented in detail and then are applied to the interpretation of each concrete mental or physical activity of Macbeth.Chapter I is mainly about the formation of criminal motivation and intent. Criminal motivations are caused by the unsatisfied human needs and when the criminal motivations combine with the idea of violating social rules, criminal intent is formed. If Macbeth is viewed in this way, his criminal motivation, in essence, is the result of his needs for power, higher status, which are to gain esteem and realize all potentials. Gradually, with the intensification of the needs, his criminal intent is formed.Chapter II discusses the formation of criminal determination and all possible transformations before a crime. Either positive or negative transformation of criminal psychology will take place before a crime. When positive transformation occurs, the criminal motivation is repressed. When negative transformation takes place, criminal determination is formed, with the external sign that the actor prepares for the crime. For Macbeth, he is influenced by Lady Macbeth so that he carries out his wife's plan and commits the crime.Chapter III concentrates on the transformation of criminal psychology after the first crime. Negative transformation leads to repeated crimes and eventually, the actor becomes a habitual criminal. Macbeth is a good example. He commits the same crime again automatically and as a habitual criminal, he loses his emotions to his wife.After analyzing the formation of Macbeth's criminal motivation, intent and determination and the negative transformation to a habitual criminal, Shakespeare's profound understanding of criminal psychology is revealed and with the concrete behavior of Macbeth combined with criminological theories, we may develop deeper understanding of the occurrence of crimes, so as to further put forth some suggestions about the prevention of crimes.