Macbeth ends when Macduff presents Macbeth's severed head to
Malcolm, who celebrates by inviting everyone to his coronation
party. Fun! Well, what did you expect from a play about
regicide? The thing is, though, Shakespeare's tragedies are also
always interested in reestablishing a sense of political order
and continuity. So, while Macbeth has been running amok
throughout the entire play (killing kings, ordering the murders
of children, hanging out with witches, and putting his own
selfish needs before the good of the kingdom), we're left with a
sense that Malcolm's rule will be a time of healing and
restoration…or will it? After Macbeth's severed head is
delivered to the soon-to-be-king, everyone in the vicinity yells
out "Hail, King of Scotland" (5.11). Now, where have we heard
that before? Oh, we know: that's what the witches call out to
Macbeth at the play's beginning, just before all hell breaks
loose. In fact, the witches say "hail" to Macbeth no less than
ten times, which makes that word a loud and cre