...Macbeth's prophecy states that he will be king, but Macbeth doesn't know how that will occur. He thought about killing Duncan, "My thought, whose murder yet is fantastical", but he is horrified by this quote which "Shakes so my single state of man." (I.iii, 152-153). "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir (I.iii, 157-159)." This quote means that Macbeth prefers for fate to crown him king. Lady Macbeth is much more responsible for Duncan's murder than Macbeth is. When she receives Macbeth's letter in Act 1, scene 5, she decided right away that they should kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth wants to gain power as soon as possible. In order to do this evil deed, Lady Macbeth wants to be a man so she can do evil deeds because ladies are usually not strong or capable of doing evil. The exerpts "unsex me here" and "take my milk for gall" show how she wants to become a man (I.v, 48 and 55). She tells Macbeth what to do, and how to act. ("Look th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't (I.vi, 76-78)." This means to hide the evil by acting normal and innocent.) When Macbeth contemplates killing the king, Lady Macbeth convinces him to do it. She asks him if he is a man or a coward. She calls him a coward because of the way he acted and that if she had a baby, she would "While it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this," to show Macbeth how committed she was...
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...At the start of the play, Macbeth is viewed as a loyal and honest men by the public and even his allies. After Macbeth and Banquo receive their prophecies from the three witches, Banquo and Macbeth discussed about how they felt about the prophecy. According to the three witches, he will be crowned as king without his ¨stir¨ (I.iii.20). Macbeth is reluctant of becoming king because he believes that he does not deserve that title. At the Macbeth household, Macbeth has King Duncan over as a guest for a feast. When having Duncan over at the castle, Macbeth makes him feel like home by telling Duncan ¨safe toward your love and honor.¨ (I.iv.27). By showing these characteristics, Macbeth will be remembered as a sincere man to the public eye. As the...
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...In the play “Macbeth” written by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth was faced with Misplaced Ambition. Shakespeare's character Macbeth was a brave and faithful soldier. King Duncan was very fond of Macbeth who admire his bravery and consider Macbeth and outstanding general. The prediction that was preordained by witches was that one day Macbeth would be King and the mistake of confiding to Lady Macbeth about his destiny drove her to become power hungry. This mistake lead to Macbeth killing his cousin and close friend King Duncan. Macbeth’s decision to kill the king drives him mad and eventually leads to his timely demise. William Shakespeare uses Irony and Satire to show how Misplaced Ambition can lead to the rise and fall of...
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...In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the murder of King Duncan is not so easily culpable as many characters hold a certain level of responsibility. While it is easy to hold Macbeth responsible, as he was the one that committed the act, Macbeth is not the only one that played a hand in the inevitable downfall of Duncan. Upon a closer look at the events leading up to the murder, other influences in Macbeth’s decision emerge. While some were more influential than others, it still cannot be ignored that Duncan’s death may not have ever occurred if it weren’t for these other characters. The Weird Sisters, also known as the three witches, are ultimately the ones that unfolded these long series of events leading up to Duncan’s murder and even the events to follow....
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...At the end of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are described as ‘the dead butcher and his fiend like queen’, and this is all they are. Do you agree? The play “Macbeth” is based on the exploration of the two main protagonists, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, as they deceive and manipulate others to fulfill the witches’ prophecies. As a result of their heinous acts to achieve their desire for power and position, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are labeled by the people of Scotland, at the end of the play, as ‘the dead butcher and his fiend like queen’. The description of the Macbeths as the ‘butcher’ and ‘fiend’ coincide with their attitude, actions and character throughout the play. The prophecies the witches’ made highlights that Macbeth is responsible for his own demise as well as reveal his true corrupted character. Secondly, Lady Macbeth’s ‘fiend like’ profile is evident when she pressured Macbeth to commit murder instead of preventing him from doing so. Lastly, the Macbeths’ denial of fault, even though their actions manifests in their guilty conscience, shows that they are nothing more than ‘the dead butcher and [the] fiend like queen’. The prophecies the three witches’ made highlights that Macbeth is responsible for his own demise as well as it reveals his true corrupt character. The transformation of the Macbeths’ initial portrayal as valiant, strong, good natured and loyal characters into villainous and evil characters is a revelation of their true identities, it also...
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...Shakespeare's Macbeth, the titular of the play is a great example of a tragic hero. Firstly, Macbeth is already of high status from the beginning of the play, and is brave in battle to win the war for Scotland; surely this makes him a hero. Next Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his, that is a desire for power and to be king. These flaws play an important role in the outcome of his life. Finally Macbeth’s obsession with the prophecies, and the murders he commits mainly leads to his downfall or periopetria. Although, a hero usually lives a triumphant life their personality can lead to their downfall and death. Too start off with Macbeth’s bravery and courage won the day for Scotland in defeating Norway and Macdonowald. First, brave and loyal Macbeth storms through the battle with Banquo defeating Sweno, in an insane fight for which his, “brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution.” Macbeth fought so courageously that the battle “ memorized another Golgotha.” In this case Macbeth is definitely a hero. Second, in the beginning of Act 1 scene 2 Duncan is in Awe of how valiant and noble of a soldier Macbeth is. “ O valiant cousin! Worthy gentlemen.” Even though Macbeth is Duncan’s cousin he is till filed with absolute joy about Macbeths accomplishment. Third, the king promotes Macbeth to thane of Cawdor. “ And with this former title greet Macbeth.” As Duncan takes this title away from the traitor and awards it to Macbeth, he becomes even more suspicious with the prophecies. As brave...
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...his demise.(Tragic Hero as Defined by Aristotle). Macbeth had many noble qualities as well as several tragic flaws. Macbeth's degeneration was caused by the prophecy of the witches, lady Macbeth's influence, and his own long time desire to be king. Macbeth's tragic flaws were his ambition and the way he was easily manipulated. The prophecies of the witches bring out Macbeth's ambitious nature. Macbeth was first established as being of great stature, the captain says “For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel”( I.ii. lines16-17). However, after hearing of the prophecy his honorable nature fades. The witches prophecies give Macbeth a sense of security and confidence but prove to be harmful for Macbeth and his interpretation of the truths. In the article “Shakespeare's Macbeth” by Mitchell Kalpakgian she states, “the witches on the heath foretell what Macbeth will gain but never disclose what he will lose or the price he will pay for acting on the insinuations of the witches who only speak half truths.”(Kalpakgian, 2013). Although it is true that Macbeth will become king it is never explained how he will obtain kingship and what kind of life he will lead as King. The witches plant the seed of murdering Duncan in Macbeth's head, but if it were only the witches prophecies that influenced him he would have not committed the murder. Lady Macbeth influences and manipulates Macbeth. She is the driving force that encourages him to...
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...Shakespeare Reveal Character Motivation in the First Two Acts of Macbeth? Shakespeare reveals character motivation in the first two acts of Macbeth through his main characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. All elements of motivation lead up to the climax of the play: the murdering of King Duncan in Act II. What plants the seed of motivation for Macbeth (who later motivates his female counterpart, Lady MacBeth) is introduced first and foremost in Act I, scene i with the three weird sisters. The witches declare they will meet again when the “hurlyburly” (I.i.l.3), or storm, is done upon a “heath” (I.i.l.7), or open land covered in small shrubs, to meet with Macbeth. In Act I, scene iii, the three weird sisters meet with Macbeth as they predicted in scene i. “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (I.iii.l.50) cries the third witch, announcing the prophecy of Macbeth to Macbeth himself. This prophecy proposed is similar to the prophecy in the Harry Potter series that motivates the infamous antagonist, Lord Voldemort, to kill the protagonist Harry Potter in order to fulfill the prophecy that stated a boy was born (Harry) with the power to vanquish Lord Voldemort and his power. Like Macbeth, Voldemort had to eliminate (or attempt to) Harry so he could get what he wanted: to be an unstoppable evil force. Macbeth had to eliminate King Duncan to get what he wanted: to be king. The three weird sisters telling Macbeth that he is destined to be king is what plants the seed of motivation...
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...cannot be changed by mankind. The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare displays ambition, fate, deception and treachery. Fate is a supernatural force that controls the actions and choices of others. In Macbeth fate plays an important role in the lives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo. Macbeth’s fate is unavoidable and unchangeable. Macbeth’s fate is sealed as soon as he meets the witches’. Macbeth’s fate is tragic. Macbeth and Banquo are together...
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...Abd Elabd Mrs.Johnson-Smith English 3 AP, 2nd Period April 18, 2016 Macbeth Monologue Explication, 1.3.140-55 Macbeth begins this monologue by proclaiming that, thus far, two of the witches’ prophecies are truth - himself being Thane of Glamis and becoming Thane of Cawdor -, and that both lead toward the manifestation of the third prophecy: Macbeth becoming king. Next, comes an aside in which Macbeth thanks Ross and Angus for delivering the King’s message to Macbeth. Macbeth then returns to his original speech and notes that this prophecy cannot be good, but cannot be bad either (an allusion to the “fair is foul and foul is fair” theme of the play). He wonders: how could a prophecy that promises him so much success be evil or bad? At the same time, how could a “good” prophecy conjure so many evil thoughts in his head of murdering King Duncan (implied) and stepping to the throne himself?...
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...To what extent can Lady Macbeth and the witches be held accountable for the actions of Macbeth? In the dramatic play ‘Macbeth’, written by William Shakespeare, showed us that the King of Scotland, Macbeth was being played and controlled by the people he trusted the most, his own wife, Lady Macbeth and the witches. His wife, Lady Macbeth was very evil, selfish, cunning and manipulating and the witches misguided him with their prophecies, which resulted him losing his sanity and making very bad choices. Therefore, even though Macbeth was greedy and ambitious himself, Lady Macbeth and the witches were to some extent accountable for Macbeth’s actions. What happened to Macbeth was a combination of events that lead him to believe that one day he would be King. He was influenced by the witches, who gave him a prophecy that contained information that he will be King of Scotland. They didn’t know when it was time for him to rule, but they predicted it would happen. (THIRD WITCH: “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter.” Act 1, Sc 3, 52) Macbeth became so thrilled with the witches prophecy, that he thought that he should be King right now. Even though Macbeth was a loyal servant to King Duncan, he became very angry at him when he saw Duncan name his son, Malcolm the next King of Scotland. He was the heir to the throne. He got so angry he killed Duncan with the help of Lady Macbeth. The witches were partly responsible for putting the idea of becoming King in Macbeth’s head. He...
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...personality. William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth shows many incidents resulting in the want for power, or to become powerful. The characters in Macbeth show how the outcome of becoming powerful can be both negative and positive. Macbeth’s personality drastically changes for the worse after hearing the witches’ three prophecies about the power that is ahead. Malcom and Macduff are completely selfless; they have the desire to become powerful to help their people, not for self-gratitude. These events would not have happened if it was not for the three witches and their prophecies. The desire for power itself is not a bad thing. It is the outcome of having power that can be harmful depending on the intentions of the power-holder their self. Macbeth is portrayed as a hero by his fellow soldiers at the beginning of the play; For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel Which smoked with bloody excecution, Like valour’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave;/which ne’er shook hands from the nave to chaps, And fix’d his head upon our battlements. (I.ii.18-25) Macbeth’s character changes not long after his heroic actions had been brought to the attention of others. This happens because of one thing, the desire to be powerful. There are three witches that can tell the future, they gave Macbeth three prophecies saying; he will become Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King hereafter. Macbeth was skeptical about what the witches...
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...supernatural and other characters push Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to become more eager in gaining possession of the crown. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both display a controlling figure, but in aspects that contribute to their desires for power. Lady Macbeth influences and pressures Macbeth, " Must be provided for: and you shall put / This night's great business into my dispatch, / Give soley sovereign sway and masterdom" (1.6.67-70). Lady Macbeth is very convincing when it comes to the drive for power. She provides Macbeth with a great plan and time that the task—killing Ducan can easily be completed without any worries. She also provides him a desire to look up to, in which she describes the benefits that Macbeth will be gaining by completing the...
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...Causes of Macbeth's Downfall Essay Macbeth was a noble and loyal man, who would never harm his King. If it wasn't for the influences of the people surrounding him, he would have lived happily as Thane of Cawdor, an honourable title in itself. The downfall of Macbeth was ignited by the actions by those around him, mainly the witches and his wife Lady Macbeth, and eventually, his ambitions took over. Macbeth never had the intention of killing his king, but was ultimately persuaded that it was the correct thing to do. The three witches planted the seed of ambition within Maceth. They were the driving force behind Banquo and King Duncan's killing. The witches prophesised that his life would completely change, by becoming thane of Cawdor, then king of Scotland. At first, Macbeth dismissed their prophecies, but after he was promoted to Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth wondered if he will be King, too. "If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir." Another prophecy made by the witches was that Banquo's son will be king. Fuelled by paranoia, lack of sleep and visions, Macbeth was thrown into a state of confusion and a belief that the prophecies were inevitable. Lady Macbeth urged her husband to commit murder and it was this action that sparked Macbeth's downfall. When Lady Macbeth heard about the prophecies made by the witches, and how one of them had already come true, she called upon evil spirits to guide her through her task - killing the king. .".. Fill me...
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...Macbeth is a play written for James I after the death of Queen Elizabeth. James was intrigued with witchcraft and the love of Scotland. In order to understand Shakespeare's Macbeth you have to understand the time and historical period which it is set. This is the Elizabethan period which is the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when there was an authoritarian government. In this era the monarchy ruled the governments, they needed to raise strong and loyal armies to protect and rule their counties. Shakespeare chose legends and events in Scottish history to dramatise Macbeth, which he uses from the "Holinshed's chronicles around 1050 AD", that he alters and manipulates these freely to portray Macbeth's loyalty and then his destruction...
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