...Lady Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous and frightening female characters. As she is Macbeth’s wife, her role is significant in his rise and fall from royalty. She is Macbeth’s other half. During Shakespearean times, women were regarded as weak insignificant beings that were there to give birth and look beautiful. They were not thought to be as intelligent or equal to men. Though in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is the highest influence in Macbeth’s life. Her role was so large; in fact, that she uses her position to gain power, stay strong enough to support her unstable Lord, and fails miserably while their relationship falls apart. Everything about Lady Macbeth is enough to create the perfect villain because of her ability to manipulate everyone around her. It appears that even she can’t resist the perfect crime. Lady Macbeth is a dominant character as soon as she is introduced into the play. A.C. Bradley wrote about her as “…the most commanding and perhaps the most awe-inspiring figure that Shakespeare drew” from his article titled Lecture X. She became a image known for her ambitious nature. Her thirst for power and disregard for life was shocking to the audience, as to her own husband. The moment she learns of the prophecies, she decides to stand behind Macbeth and see him to the throne. She is immediately set on her quest for more power. As it reads “Glamis thou art, and Cowador, and shalt be/ What thou art promised (1.5.13-14) This moment is...
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...denotes that because every human being has a brain, they also possess the ability to think and act in a malicious and inhumane manner. Considering this, William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies, illustrates that uncivil behaviour will prevail on the adult-free island. In a like manner, Macbeth by Shakespeare gives insight to the lengths people will go to so that one can achieve personal profits at a rapid pace. Through similar fashions, both novels depict the true nature of human beings. Similarities between the characters of Jack from the Lord of the Flies and Macbeth from Macbeth reveal that power and greed is the root of all evil. In addition, the use of knives and representation of blood in both novels plays large roles in the quests for power. Also, similarities in plot structure help to further establish the sinful nature of humans. One can conclude that both Macbeth and Lord of the Flies give insight to the fact that human nature is predominantly evil through the characterization of Jack and Macbeth, symbolism of knives and blood and similarities within plot structure. Initially, the predominantly evil aspects of human nature show through the characterization of Jack and Macbeth. In the Lord of the Flies, the society the boys live in begins to crumble as Jack becomes less and less civil while the others follow. Jack quickly turns from an innocent young boy to an uncivil animal, “He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an awesome stranger… the mask was...
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...Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the early 1600s. When the play was written is relevant because it is during a time of transition in England. The play focuses on the “hero” Macbeth and his quest for power. Macbeth is helping win the war for King Duncan. Three witches appear and tell Macbeth that he will become King of Scotland, and that Banquo’s descendants shall be kings. The duo is suspicious of the witches until the previous Thane of Cawdor is found to be a traitor, therefore, Duncan places Macbeth in his place. While the King sleeps, Macbeth murders King Duncan and frames the guards. Macbeth, fearing his descendants will lose the throne, sends assassins to kill Banquo and his son. The assassins kill Banquo, but his son, Fleance, escapes. The witches tell Macbeth that no natural born man...
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...Macbeth Analytical written response ‘Macbeth achieves the power he has longed for, but it comes at a terrible price’ What does the play have to say about this? ------------------------------------- Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a character study of a man who, through his own relentless quest for power and the influence of others, loses everything he loves and eventually, his own life. After Macbeth’s success in battle against the King of Norway, glowing reports of his bravery are given to King Duncan, who prepares to promote ‘noble Macbeth’ to Thane of Cawdor. Before Macbeth hears of the king’s decision, he and his fellow general, Banquo, are told by a group of witches that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and “King thereafter”. They also predict that some of Banquo’s offspring will be kings. Both men wonder if they should take these “imperfect speakers” seriously, but their doubts are swept away when Macbeth is declared Thane of Cawdor. Remembering the second part of the prophecy, thoughts of murder enter Macbeth’s mind. There are two factors that cause Macbeth’s thoughts to develop into a plot. He reasons that if part of the witches’ prediction has come true, there is a chance that the rest of it will too. When he confides in his wife who is described as being “top-full of direst cruelty” Macbeth, who she likens to “an innocent flower”, falls under her evil influence and together they hatch...
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...in his play Macbeth to show the cycle of violence that repeats throughout the play. Shakespeare first introduces the character of Macbeth as a brave hero. In the first act messengers tell Duncan about Macbeth’s bravery in war. The bloody images used in this act show Macbeth as the hero of war who should be rewarded for his bravery. Thoughts of heroism and bravery fade quickly as plans to murder Duncan for Macbeth’s benefit and power gain arise. Blood quickly changes to a motif of guilt and fear because of the murder that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have committed. Surprisingly Macbeth keeps killing to calm his fear but sheds more blood in the process. The killings result in meeting the unnatural and bloody Macduff, who wants revenge and ends the cycle of violence....
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...In Macbeth, ambition is characterized as a dangerous quality. Ambition is the downfall of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, which triggers the murders that take place in Macbeth. Although, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is ambition, it is the driving force of the play which is influenced by Lady Macbeth and the three witches. Lady Macbeth plays a major role in the downfall of Macbeth. She influenced and convinced Macbeth to commit the murder about Duncan, believing that the power would bring both of them happiness. Lady Macbeth says “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise thee with the valour of my tongue. (Shakespeare 353)” It is as though Lady Macbeth is Macbeths bad conscious. She remarks, that she will solve his dilemma by poisoning his mind with her evil plan of murdering Duncan. Unlike her husband she is made of sterner stuff and has no moral scruples because she is evil to the core and decides to convince Macbeth to murder the king. This is the first murder victim of Macbeth. After the death of King Duncan, Lady Macbeth commits suicide which it is another breaking point of his down fall. Macbeth’s quest and desire for the power caused him to become a man of no emotions. Macbeth is an easy person to persuade and convince. Since the three witches gave him his prophecies, Macbeth’s character changed gradually over the course of the play. He became obsessed with making sure the prophecies come true as well as having a strong desire for power as...
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...Danger of Ambition The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tragedy set in medieval Scotland about a ruthless thane and his quest of greed and power. Given a prophecy foretelling his rise to power as king he decides to kill his king and take the throne by force. Macbeth is overthrown by his fellow thane Macduff because of Macbeth’s belief in the supernatural. Macbeth’s obsession with his prophecy leads to his untimely demise. While the witches gave Macbeth his prophecy, it was he who let the idea consume him. The witches, who represent chaos and conflict, use Macbeth’s fear of superstition to plant an idea in his mind. The witches twist and manipulate his mind to the point of no return causing Macbeth believe he is invincible because of the witch's apparitions. Insisting that he cannot be killed by Macduff because of what the apparitions said, he boldly marches into battle confident of his prophecy until Macduff tells him that he was not born of woman but, “from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (V.iiiiiiii.15-16) Macbeth realizes too late that the witches had tricked him and he himself had made the prophecy come true. The witches are responsible for influencing Macbeth, but the idea of the prophecy is what drove Macbeth to fulfil it. Macbeth let the idea of him as king devour his rational thought. He becomes so obsessed with power and becoming king that he finally decides to act on what the witches told him and kills Duncan. Macbeth only shows curiosity to what the...
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...Macbeth can be considered a tragic hero because he exhibits most of the defining literary characteristics of a traditional tragic hero. Tragic heroes are typically members of the power class, and Macbeth is no different. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is already the Thane of Glamis (presumably as a reward for earlier performance in combat), and throughout the course of the story he earns the title of Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Not only do tragic hero's have a high social standing, but they also tend to show extraordinary personal abilities. In Macbeth's case, this ability is an exceptional prowess in battle, as we learn from a wounded Scottish Captain in Act 1. He and Banquo alledgedly defeated Macdonwald and his Irish army...
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...Macbeth Essay William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is about a tragedy that takes place in Scotland. Macbeth murders Banquo, a good friend of his, King Duncan and Macduff’s family because of his greed for wealth and power, and his desire to become king. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses symbols that represent different ideas and concepts. Although there are many, the most vital concept is the feeling of guilt. There are many instances that show the power guilt has played on the main characters, but there are three examples that show it the best. Firstly, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are overwhelmed by the visions of blood after the murder of King Duncan. The blood is seen as the guilt they cannot overcome. Secondly, the Ghost of Banquo indicates the remorse Macbeth feels over killing his good friend. Although Banquo’s ghost may not exist, Macbeth’s guilt is making him see it. Lastly, Lady Macbeth begins sleepwalking, and then later commits suicide, all because of the burden of her guilt. The guilt is the consequence both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth will have to live with until they go to their graves. Once Macbeth and Lady Macbeth accomplish their quest to kill King Duncan, their feelings of guilt become conspicuous. The blood from killing King Duncan indicates their guilt, and they begin to feel that the murder will stain them and that they will be unable to be washed clean. The blood covers their hands, bodies and clothes, and as they try to wash it away, their...
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...Conrad. The play Macbeth is written around the centralized idea of ambition and the consequence of guilt that one bears after their deed. Macbeth by William Shakespeare; Shakespeare presents a man and wife hungry for power living in 1600s dark Scotland. One day Macbeth encounters three wicked sisters who reveal a prophecy which leads Macbeth on a murderous quest for power. The power of guilt can ultimately lead to one's demise; Furthermore the desire for power driven by Macbeth's impulsive actions. Shakespeare presents this idea heavily on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth along with providing symbolic references throughout the entire play....
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...‘[Macbeth Aksar JanMacbeth Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds. Yet he deeply desires power and advancement. He kills Duncan against his better judgment and afterwards stews in guilt and paranoia that there are others who will come next in heirs as he has no child to carry on the monach. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, pursues her goals with greater determination, She spurs her husband mercilessly to kill Duncan and urges him to be strong in the murder's aftermath. But she is eventually driven to distraction by the effect of Macbeth's repeated bloodshed on her conscience. In each case, ambition-helped, of course, Prophecies of the witches is what drives the couple to ever more terrible atrocities. the problem, the play suggests, is the once decided to use violence to further one's quest for power, it is difficult to stop there are always potential threats to the throne. Quote 1 Third Witches: All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! (A1.S111.L 51) The witches prediction that Macbeth will become monarch and that Banquo's heirs will be future kings sets the plot in motion. Up until this point, Macbeth doesn't seem to have kingly aspiration. Banquo was strong minded and laughed off the witches, but the witches spoke in riddles to Macbeth and told him very little. They addressed him as an upcoming king. This intrudged Macbeth. As we’ll find out that Macbeth had already had evil aspirations in his head. ...
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...A savior and doctor to Scotland, he provides an antidote of ten thousand men to the miserable country in order to overthrow Macbeth. Not only a supplier of salves but also a worthy remedy himself, King Edward nurses back to health “a crew of wretched souls/ That stay his cure” (IV.iii.141-142). This malady that he cures is called “the evil” (IV.iii.146) and is commonly referred to as “the king’s evil,” which is quite ironic since King Edward assists Malcolm in ridding Scotland of the evil king enthroned. Once Macbeth is defeated, Malcolm commences a pleasant reign and reconciles Scotland and England—something King James I, for whom the play is performed, did upon ascending the throne of England. Since James I was formerly known as King James IV of Scotland, Shakespeare incorporates into Macbeth the kind-hearted, life-saving Edward the Confessor to ease the heart of the new English monarch. Knowing that James I is a king of not one, but two countries, Shakespeare also employs the wickedness of Macbeth as a means of pandering James I by writing of a cruel, punishing fate for a deceitful man who usurped power that was not rightfully...
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...Macbeth Literary Essay Submitted By: Zachary McGregor May 1st, 2012 I believe that Macbeth is fully responsible for his own destiny because whether or not it was fated, he still chose to do everything he did. We obviously know that Macbeth made some pretty bad decisions over the course of the play. He should be held responsible and forced to pay the consequences of his actions for the following reasons. We know that Macbeth still had the choice of whether or not to murder Duncan, although he was encouraged by the witches’ prophesies and Lady Macbeth he didn’t really have to go through with the murder. We also know that the crimes Macbeth commits are becoming increasingly sinister and evil, as he continues to do these terrible deeds it becomes easier and easier for him to commit them. Finally, Macbeth acknowledges his guilt for the crimes he commits and is therefore fully responsible for his actions. It seems that the witches’ predictions insinuate Macbeth’s desire to become king, however, no one actually forces him to kill Duncan. Even though Macbeth’s decision was most certainly influenced by the witches’ prophesies and Lady Macbeth, he still made the final choice regarding the murder of Duncan which is wrong. Macbeth’s ambition causes him to question his loyalty to the king after hearing the witches’ prophesies. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my shingle state of man that...
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...One of the main ideas in the Shakespearian play Macbeth is deception, which is not only practiced by the villains but by other characters as well who have to rely on this at the time of disorder and distrust. However, Malcolm’s deception in testing Macduff’s loyalty and in deceiving Macbeth about the number of his troops is far less crucial as the central motif of the play, for it is the deception conducted by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that grapples the interest of the audience with its resounding morals about human nature. It is one thing to be deceived by another person and quite another to “fool yourself” by engaging in self-deception. Of all forms of deception, I think it can be argued that self-deception is perhaps the worst. In the words of Bemos Thenes, “Nothing is easier than self-deceit for what man wishes he also believes to be true.” Self-deception is a human weakness. It means that even though something maybe wrong and untrue if an individual believes it enough it will come to pass. No matter what someone may say, it is hard to change ones opinion because that is what the person truly believes. This is portrayed in William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, through the actions of various characters. Shakespeare clearly shows the idea of self-deception through their actions and how this self-deception leads to moral disorder. Deception is introduced to the play right from the beginning when the three witches meet to talk, the mood being nothing is quite as it seems...
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...Deceit A typical characteristic one can observe in many of Shakespeare’s plays is how people deceive one another, so their own personal desires can be met. “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” “The Tragedy of Orthello, the Moor of Venice,” and “Macbeth” all consist of characters that are not what they appear to be. In the plays Claudius, Iago, and Macbeth present to the public a wholesome image; however, each of them possess a hidden agenda that creates chaos in the plays which one can observe through their spoken lines and their influences. These three characters are antagonists who cause demise in their respective plays. These villains are willing to fight for what they want, even if the death and destruction total is high. Claudius, Iago, and Macbeth will not be undermined at all. These plays illustrate how much planning and work takes place when they plan their attacks against those who are oblivious to their deceit. Shakespeare’s evil doers are not simple people. Claudius’s character in “Hamlet” epitomizes what extent people go to, so their plans work as they intend. For example, King Claudius’s speech to the council and a few other people in Act I, scene ii seems to be a normal speech one would give after the death of a ruler to rally everyone together. He says, “To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom/ To be contracted in one brow of woe,/ Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature/ That we with wisest sorrow think on him/ Together with remembrance...
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