Are you a Monster?

As you read Macbeth, it is easy to see the dramatic yet steady incline in Macbeth’s lust for power.  This idea relates very well with Kanye West, and his rise to fame. He started as a up and coming rapper, just like Macbeth was a lower ranking official.  Kanye eventually starts to become obsessed with his music and himself and ends up isolating himself from the rest of the world to make albums, just as Macbeth does numerous times.  One of these instances is in when Banquo describes Macbeth as 'rapt' or lost in thought (Act 1 Scene 3).  This shows how even in times where Macbeth is with others, he still seems to be in his own head constantly. These similarities with Macbeth not only reflect Kanye as a person, but also represent his music, like in the song “Monster” by Kanye West.

So song starts with Bon Iver addressing the audience, asking “Are you willing to sacrifice your life?” (Monster) This shows that Bon Iver is taking the role of a narrator, questioning the life of celebrities and how much they are willing to go through for fame.  Bon Iver’s role in Monster could be compared to the three sisters, testing what lengths Macbeth was willing to go to in order to become king. It also relates to the three sisters and their foreshadowing later into the play.  In the first scene, when they first meet with Macbeth they state “When the Battle’s lost and won.” This is a very logical thing to say to Macbeth at the time, as he had just won a battle, but to the reader, it is obvious that this could also be taken as foreshadowing, which would later be revealed to be a reference to the final scene where Macbeth dies battling Macduff. (Act 1 Scene 3)

When Kayne finally enters the song in the hook, he exclaims, “Gossip, gossip, nigga just stop it.”  Kanye uses vulgarity in this line to help explain the anger he feels for people who judge him and talk about him poorly (Monster).  This ideas of gossip and paranoia are also heavily woven into Macbeth and his fear of being killed by his noblemen. Macbeth even once states that, “This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool.” (Act 4 Scene 1) In this scene, he is attempting to murder Macduff’s family out of fear of one of the children becoming king eventually.  The paranoia shown in this act is a perfect representation of his fear, which has gotten so out of hand that he is willing to kill children to make sure his seat as king is not taken by someone else.

Still in the hook, Kanye chants, “I'ma need to see your fucking hands at the concert

I'ma need to see your fucking hands at the concert.” (Monster) The use of these lines shows Kanye and his demand for respect from his fans, as well as everyone around him. The repetition of this line further stresses the importance Macbeth, in the same way, also demands respect from his people, like said when Macbeth and Banquo are talking and Macbeth tells Banquo “If you shall cleave to my consent, when ‘tis, it shall make honor for you.” (Act 2 Scene 3) This is a scene showing Macbeth trying to convince Banquo to have his back.  He is even willing to bribe Banquo just to have someone on his side.

In the first actual verse of the song, Kanye states that he is, “the best living or dead hands down”(Monster).  Once again, Kanye’s ego is showing, making him believe that he is better than everyone that has ever lived, alive or dead. Macbeth also has been shown numerous times boasting a very large ego, just like when he proudly states, “ The mind I sway by and the heart I bear shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear” (Act 5 Scene 2) showing his ego and confidence in his invincibility.  Macbeth by now feels like he cannot be touched, just as Kanye feels in the line above.

Another verse that shows the paranoia running through Macbeth is Jay-Z’s.  In this verse, Jay-Z talks about how “All I see is these fake fucks with no fangs

Tryna draw blood from my ice-cold veins”(Monster). This could be compared to Macbeth and his opinion of the nobles surrounding him.  He believes that he is the superior, and everyone around him is always trying to use him and take advantage of him.  This is another recurring theme throughout the whole of the play, and this line is a perfect example of when Macbeth’s constant paranoia plays a significant role.

In Nicki Minaj’s verse, there is a shift in narration and character.  Nikki’s part could easily describe Lady Macbeth and her role throughout the story, starting when Minaj mentions how, “You could be the king but watch the queen conquer.” (Monster) This could be compared to Lady Macbeth’s role as a behind the scenes entity.  Through most of the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is the driving force behind Macbeth’s rise to power, starting with her influence in the killing of Duncan.  Though she did not kill duncan herself, she is the reason Macbeth did not back out of committing the murder. By insulting him and saying “When you durst do it, then you were a man” she attacked his masculinity, hoping to strike a chord inside him (Act 1 Scene 7).  She was the one who actually caused things to happen, even though Macbeth was the one who actually murdered Duncan and became king.