[Van Doren presents a broad survey of Macbeth. asserting that Shakespeare's triumph lies in his construction if a strange, dark, and shapeless world which from the outset pits itself against the protagonist Ironically, Macbeth himself represents the ever-changing form and shape if this bizarre world, the critic notes,for his own wavering over whether or not to kill Duncan is a predominant trait of his character. Van Doren also discusses thefigure of Lady Macbeth, arguing that because she is less imaginative than her husband, her mind cannot withstand the torture of guilt as long as Macbeth's does. The critic also briefly examines some important symbols in Macbeth including fear, blood, and sleep-but focuses chiefly on the representation if time and death. According to Van Doren, time-an element fundamental to human experience-goes awry and disintegrates Macbeth 's world. Consequently, the hero develops a pessimistic view if death as...