Jeremy Keeshin

MACBETH: LIVING THE LINES

PART I

“Naught’s had, all’s spent, / Where our desire is got without content” (3.2.6-7).

My first impressions of the words are feelings of loss after dissatisfaction. The strongest
words in this stanza seem to be “naught,” “spent,” “desire,” and “content.” This evokes a
strong feeling in the reader. At first observation I also notice the rhyming pattern at the
end of the two lines with “spent” rhyming with the word “content.” The tone of the quote
seems to be negative after nothing is had and everything is spent. “Naught” is an
inherently negative word and helps suggest that mood to the reader. This line appears to
mean that after some sort of action, the speaker has spent all of his or her energy and now
has nothing. However they have achieved what they desired but still are not happy as to
the outcome. This quote suggests a few certain themes and main ideas. It suggests the
theme of desire and human want, and possibly the shortcomings of the characters after
much effort.

PART II

These very important lines of the play were spoken by Lady Macbeth; who as we know
so far, is a very conniving character that puts her selfish motives into action through her
husband. This line is dialogue between Lady Macbeth and a servant prior to Macbeth
entering on the night of the feast and Banquo’s planned murder in the Macbeth castle. My
interpretation is very similar to that which I predicted before, but the vague terms are
much clearer now. It is still negative, as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are not content with
Macbeth being King. Their “desire [reached] without content” is that he has become
King, but they are still now happy. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are worrisome about the
prophecy regarding the fact that Banquo’s children were predicted to be kings. This is
unsettling to them and that is why although their energies have been exhausted while
trying to make Macbeth the king, they are still not satisfied. These lines add much to the
story regarding the character development of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. We see the
extent of their great ambition to fulfill the prophecies and make Macbeth king with the
least obstacles in his way. This also has implications regarding the plot, because since
they are not pleased with the current state, it foreshadows the future murder of Banquo. A
possible theme that this suggests is still desire and planning because the Macbeths are
taking all precautions to ensure the safety of the king, and Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
My original thoughts were mostly correct; I just did not have the quote in context. I knew
something was spent and that they still desired something, but now I have been able to
fill in the blanks.