Explained, Ending & Review Of ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ (2021) Movie

By
Stephan Gibbs
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The Tragedy of Macbeth Movie Ending Explained

The black-and-white movie ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth,’ directed by Joel Coen, is about an army general’s thirst for dominance.

The drama film, based on William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, portrays Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s psychological struggles as they commit horrible acts in order to capture the throne.

Denzel Washington, Alex Hassell, Frances McDormand, & Bertie Carvel star in the Joel directed film, which pulls from German expressionism’s ideals and portrays a fascinating slow-burning tale of ambition and remorse.

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You’ve come to the right site if you’re seeking an explanation of ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth‘ and the ending.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

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The Tragedy of Macbeth Plot Synopsis

Plot Synopsis for “The Tragedy of Macbeth” [2021] Movie

The video begins with the Weird Sisters discussing their plans to meet Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, and a general in Duncan, King of Scotland’s army.

Then we witness King Duncan being notified by Ross, a Scottish nobleman, and courier, that Macbeth has won the fight against Ireland’s and Norway’s invading troops.

King Duncan orders the Thane of Cawdor’s execution and the awarding of his title to Macbeth in recognition of his valiant achievements in the war.

Macbeth and Banquo, Thane of Lochaber and a general in King Duncan’s army, are soon seen travelling across a heath.

The Weird Sisters address the Thane of Cawdor, who had been waiting for Macbeth.

“Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, I salute you. Macbeth is to be praised. Thane of Cawdor, I salute you.

Macbeth is to be praised. “That shalt be king hereafter,” say the three witches, meaning that Macbeth will rise through the ranks of Thane of Cawdor to become King of Scotland.

The Weird Sisters then warn Banquo that he will sire a line of monarchs when he approaches them sceptically.

Ross later informs Macbeth that he has been appointed as the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth immediately begins to consider the prophecy, concerned that his ambition is starting to trump his morality & loyalty.

Lady Macbeth soon receives a note from her husband inside which he reveals the Weird Sisters’ prophecy. She is delighted that, despite their advanced age, they may experience true power.

Lady Macbeth learns that her husband and King Duncan are on their way, and she immediately begins plotting the King’s killing in her head.

She then persuades Macbeth, who is distraught, that he must kill the King in order to claim the throne for himself. Macbeth, on the other hand, feels remorseful because he is the King’s kinsman, subject, and host.

He tries to back out of the murder plot, but Lady Macbeth assures him that if he follows through with it, he would be a “greater man.”

She goes on to say that they will mourn King Duncan’s death after the murder so that no one will suspect them.

The Tragedy Of Macbeth' star Kathryn Hunter

‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’s’ Final Scene: Does Macbeth Kill King Duncan? Will He Be Crowned King of Scotland?

As a result, Macbeth travels to King Duncan’s room at night, where the grooms are inebriated as a result of Lady Macbeth’s intoxication, and tumbles a knife into his ruler’s throat.

Lady Macbeth is enthralled by the murder, but Macbeth is visibly disturbed by his actions. He starts to hear voices telling him that he “killed sleep” and that he will no longer be able to sleep, as well as a loud thudding sound.

We can see the beginnings of Macbeth’s journey into madness as sounds, murmurs, and black ravens reflect his guilt.

The Thane of Fife, Macduff, then arrives at the castle. When he goes to see King Duncan, he discovers that he is dead.

While the others are engaged, Macbeth quickly murders the two drunken grooms, making it appear as if they were the killers.

There is soon a ruckus in the castle, and Macbeth acts as if his King’s death has greatly upset him. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, realise they are in danger and decide to flee to England and Ireland, respectively.

Later, Macbeth will be anointed King of Scotland in Dunsinane. As a result, the prophecy of the Weird Sisters comes true.

Of course, we could argue that Macbeth simply required some supernatural or non-supernatural encouragement to conduct a political assassination in order to obtain the authority he had desired for years.

Meanwhile, Macbeth learns that Banquo and his son, Fleance, are threats to him as a result of the Weird Sisters’ last prophecy, and he resolves to put their long-standing military and personal ties aside for the sake of self-preservation.

The Tragedy of Macbeth 2021 Black And White Movie

As a result, Scotland’s King hires two goons to attack the Thane of Lochaber and his son. At this time, we see Macbeth, blinded by his greed, sinking deeper into the pit of immorality.

In another moment, Macbeth is enraged at the prospect of Banquo’s descendants inheriting the throne in the future as a result of his hard work (read: murder).

To Lady Macbeth, he rages that he didn’t shed blood for a “fruitless crown.”

As a result, we can see that the royal couple is incapable of thinking beyond their own interests.

Banquo is killed by the goons, but Fleance manages to flee. In truth, Ross assists the son of the Thane of Lochaber in fleeing to safety.

We discover that Ross has only ever served himself, shifting his allegiances depending on who is on the winning side.

Macbeth is haunted by Banquo’s ghost and the ravens at the royal feast. Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth down as he loses his head and shouts about the killings in front of the court.

The burden of guilt appears to be heavier on the King’s shoulders than on the Queen’s. This could be because Macbeth, an army man, is having trouble being disloyal, whilst the Queen is just admiring what she perceives to be their right.

Macbeth resolves to speak with the Weird Sisters again the next day. The witches, perched on the roof, allow him to speak with their master.

Macbeth sees the faces of infants — the future rulers — in the water on the floor beneath his feet (which serves as the cauldron).

One child warns him that Macduff is a danger, while another advises him to be “bloody and firm” because “none of the women born shall harm Macbeth.”

“Macbeth will never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood, and high Dusinane Hill come against him,” says a third child.

We realise that Macbeth is feeling comfortable at this time, yet it is impossible for a man to be born without a woman; hence no one can kill the King.

Furthermore, the trees themselves are unable to reach the castle, reassuring Macbeth that he is unstoppable. We soon discover, however, that he is only hearing what he wants to hear.

He also wants to be reassured that he would not have to bear the consequences of his horrible deeds.

Is Ross responsible for Lady Macbeth’s death? Who is the killer of Macbeth?

Lady Macbeth visits her husband to inform him that Macduff has escaped to England (where we know Malcolm is).

As a result, Macbeth chooses to attack the kingdom of Fife, despite Macduff’s evident allegiances.

In truth, Macduff suspected Macbeth of being the murderer shortly after King Duncan’s death but did nothing about it.

Lady Macbeth soon begins to pluck her hair and neglects her personal hygiene. The psychological toll of being a part of political assassination has also taken its toll on her.

Plus, the Queen is wounded from witnessing her husband devolve into a rage-filled shadow of his former self.

Does Ross Kill Lady Macbeth

Then, just before Macbeth’s forces slaughter Macduff’s wife and children, we see Ross meet them.

Ross comes to meet Malcolm and Macduff and informs them that the Thane of Fife’s family has been killed after learning of their plans to declare war on Dusinane.

Ross is clearly doing this to save his own neck and curry favour with people who are most likely to win.

With Siward, the Earl of Northumberland and King Duncan’s brother, and 10,000 warriors, Malcolm plans to invade Macbeth’s fortress.

As a kind of retaliation, Macduff swears to kill Macbeth himself.

Lady Macbeth, meanwhile, has lost control of herself in Dusinane. She walks around the corridors in her nightgown, holding a candle aloft and ruminating about the murders.

The doctor is informed by the Queen’s maid that she walks in her sleep the majority of the time.

Lady Macbeth likewise wails and washes her hands (imagining them to be bloody). Guilt, anguish, and a profound sense of loss had clearly taken over her soul.

Malcolm’s warriors are approaching, as Seyton, the King’s senior servant, and others inform Macbeth.

Meanwhile, Ross approaches Lady Macbeth, who is bemusedly standing at the top of a stairwell. Seyton informs Macbeth that the Queen has died in the next scene.

Ross clearly shoved her down the steps, as her limp body is later discovered at the bottom. This is a significant deviation from Shakespeare’s original piece, in which Lady Macbeth is encouraged to commit suicide.

Ross’ actions, on the other hand, demonstrate how destructive politics can be. He ensures Macbeth’s demise by killing the Queen.

Then Macbeth learns that the woods are starting to move. Macbeth had been stupidly unafraid of the conflict up to this point because he believed he was invincible.

However, we see that the Weird Sisters’ prophecy is meant to be taken literally: Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff’s warriors are carrying lush branches and marching towards the castle, creating the impression that an entire forest is on its way.

When Siward enters the castle, he discovers Macbeth sitting on the throne. He strikes the King with a sword, fuming, but Macbeth deftly avoids him.

He inquires as to whether Siward was born of a woman; his tone suggests that he is still convinced that no man has been born of a woman and thus that he cannot be slain. Macbeth dispatches Siward in a flash.

Macbeth goes out and meets Macduff, who has come to seek vengeance for his family. The two fight ferociously with swords, and the Thane of Fife decapitates Macbeth in a single sweeping swoop.

In reality, Macbeth lost his head when he leans down to pick up his fallen crown. As a result, in a horrible twist of destiny (or perhaps justice), Macbeth dies while attempting to wear the crown for which he killed.

Despite the fact that it is not mentioned in the movie, the play emphasises that Macduff was born via Cesarean section.

As a result, the witches’ prophecy must be interpreted literally – Macduff was not naturally born from a woman’s body and is thus the one who would kill Macbeth in the end.

malcolm in The Tragedy of Macbeth

After Macbeth, Who Will Be The Next King of Scotland? Fleance, Where is Banquo’s son?

As King Duncan’s oldest son, Malcolm is now the new King of Scotland. Ross takes Macbeth’s head and crown and brings them to Malcolm, who is now King of Scotland.

Later, Ross meets the Old Man (who is actually the Weird Sisters in disguise) and realises that he has been cooperating with otherworldly forces all along.

The Old Man gives Fleance to Ross, and we learn that the Scottish nobleman intends to take Banquo’s son to court in order to fulfil the witches’ prophecy.

Thus, the late Macbeth’s well-planned mass killings are futile because the prophecy comes true thanks to the King’s incapacity to look beyond his greed and humiliation.

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