Macbeth and the “Process of Knowing”

1.   Perceiving

Perceiving is the first step in the “Process of Knowing”. It is defined in the textbook as a taking in of data from the senses. This is the first step to knowing anything. As for how this applies to Macbeth, while he is traveling the Three Witches come and prophesy to him and Banquo. Macbeth knows they are there because he can see them and he can hear them. They are described as ugly and tell Macbeth he is Thane of Glamis, will be Thane of Cawdor, and will be king.

2.   Categorizing

This information gained from the senses is then put into categories by the brain. The result of categorizing information too quickly results in stereotyping, which is broad or incorrect categorizing. After Macbeth hears that he will be king, he sees everyone else in the world as unimportant, save Lady Macbeth. He has to kill King Duncan. King Duncan is no longer a person to Macbeth, but more as an obstacle between him and the throne. Banquo has now gone from longtime friend to a possible threat, because the witches said he would be greater than Macbeth.

3.   Evaluating

There are three main components to evaluating. First, you assign value to the objective information based on your subjective relationship to it. In other words, you decide what information is important and what information you can do without. Second, our own feelings can grossly distort our thinking. Third, we can fall victim to herd need, where we let other do the thinking and evaluating for us. Macbeth decided that he being king was the important information and that killing people in order to get that title was less important. Macbeth’s feelings for being king so overtook him that even when his wife kills herself, he shows no pain or remorse. Finally, when Macbeth was confused by the witches’ prophecy, he let Lady Macbeth take the reigns and do the thinking and acting for him.

4.   Symbolizing

Symbolizing is very important to the “Process of Knowing”. It is very difficult for someone to understand you if you do not use the proper terms to convey your thoughts. This is also difficult when information is being presented to you. As for Macbeth, he made a grave mistake in his interpretation of the Three Apparitions. The Second Apparition tells him, “for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” Macbeth, knowing all people are born from women, assumed no one could hurt him, but he did not consider a Caesarian like Macduff. The Third Apparition tells him he shall not die until “Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane.” Again, he assumed that forests could not get up and walk, but attacking soldiers could carry the trees.

5.   Testing

After the first four steps of the “Process of Knowing” are complete, it is time to put what we learned to the test. Remember, our thoughts are not always going to be correct, as is such the case with Macbeth. He put all his eggs in one basket and assumed that his interpretations of the Three Apparitions to be true. However, when he sees Birnam Wood approaching his fort on Dunsinane Hill, he still has not figured out that he is wrong. He kills one challenger and still believes he cannot be killed. The testing of Macbeth’s knowledge is proven wrong when Macduff reveals to Macbeth that he was taken directly from his mother’s womb. Therefore, Macduff is able to kill Macbeth. Even though Macbeth did follow the five steps to the “Process of Knowing”, there is still a chance we could be wrong. Macbeth is a perfect example of that.