Search

Only show content I have access to (0)

Chapters (1)

Over 3 years (1)

From year:

To year:

Apply

Psychology (1)

Cambridge University Press (1)

1 results

Chapter 10 - Macbeth
from Part II - Thought Experiments and the Power of Context
Fathali M. Moghaddam, Georgetown University, Washington DC
Book:

Shakespeare and the Experimental Psychologist

Published online:

10 June 2021

Print publication:

10 June 2021, pp 150-169
- Chapter
- - Get access
    
    Check if you have access via personal or institutional login
    
    Log in Register
- Export citation
Summary

The play Macbeth has traditionally been interpreted through mainstream psychological concepts that are reductionist and dispositional. That is, characteristics within Macbeth, such as his “ambition,” seem to explain the play. From another perspective, this play is a thought experiment on the power of scaffolding, constructed around Macbeth through various agents (mainly the Three Witches and Lady Macbeth). Vygotsky’s concept of scaffolding is applied to interpreting the play Macbeth, through a distinction between “M” (”Micro”) and “E” (”Extended”) components of personalty. “M” personality refers to the intrapersonal, fixed, causal agents that are assumed in mainstream psychology to cause certain behavior patterns. “E” personality refers to the contextual factors that shape behavior. The play Macbeth represents a thought experiment demonstrating the power of “E” personality.