...both Macbeth and Hamlet. Guilt is defined as the remorseful awareness of having done something wrong. It was not unusual for Shakespeare to feature a lot of conflicted emotion in his plays, a favourite emotion for Shakespeare to right was guilt and therefore features heavily in his plays; Hamelt and Macbeth included. The use of guilt is often used to make the audience feel sympathy for the character or to change their perspective on the character as a whole; it is also used to drive the plot of the play and to create an atmosphere within the play. Macbeth showcases a lot of guilt to change the tone and atmosphere of the scene and to show how guilt affects religion and beliefs. For example in Act 2 Scene, after Macbeth has killed King Duncan, the audience finds him struggling with the guilt he feels. Shakespeare shows Macbeths guilt through his inability to say ‘Amen’ which would have previously come easily from him. But after killing Duncan Macbeth believes God has turned his back on him because he committed the biggest sin- Regicide- and have gone against the divine right of kings and so would no longer be under the protection of God. Furthermore, in his mini-soliloquy in Act 3 Scene 1 Macbeths says the murder of King Duncan “put rancours in the vessel of my peace”. This shows he is being tormented with a constant reminder of his crime and sins and this can be perceived as guilt coming out by the audience. Another line from one of Macbeth’s soliloquies after killing Duncan...
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...Name Institution Professor Date Macbeth: Character and Synopsis Review At the start of the Shakespearean play “Macbeth” the character Macbeth; also, the protagonist features a dichotomy in strength and weakness. This is though conformity that several characters in the play are emotionally unstable and tortured. Macbeth, like other characters, has his mind pulled in to conflicting directions consequential to compelling desires, obligations, ambitions, and desires. Three attributes that cause a strain in Macbeths life are ambition, self-doubt, and bravely. Shakespeare uses Macbeth in showing how personal ambitions and guilt terribly affect people who lack a strong personality. The aforementioned three attributes illustrate the struggle for mastery of Macbeth through the play. We first hear of Macbeth in the wounded captain’s description of his battle boldness hence get an impression that he is a capable brave warrior. His nobility and rank are valuable aspects that make him seem fit for his status. However, his encounter with three witches provokes a deep impatient ambition. Soon after the first prophecy on being Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth gets a nasty image of the murder of King Duncan in his mind. This would open a room for him to assume the throne (Bloom 8). Macbeth is though not solely and ambitious as seen in his fright of the murder image that thoroughly defiles his loyalty. Macbeth is portrayed as deeply thinking about being the king. He is though undecided whether...
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...even the person making the decision can’t make up their mind. For example in the story Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth, is highly influenced by three Witches and his wife to do terrible and unforgettable deeds. Therefore the three Witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth all share blame for the mysterious tragedies that are afflicted on various characters. “Double, double toil and and trouble,” the three Witches cackled as they persuaded and foreshadowed Macbeth’s future empire and mistakes. As of this quote this is the first time that the Witches have appeared and told Macbeth about various actions and foreshadowed prophecies. The three Witches state, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!/ All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/ All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (Act I, sc 3...
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...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, from the crown...
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...Institution Professor Date Macbeth: Character and Synopsis Review At the start of the Shakespearean play “Macbeth†the character Macbeth; also, the protagonist features a dichotomy in strength and weakness. This is though conformity that several characters in the play are emotionally unstable and tortured. Macbeth, like other characters, has his mind pulled in to conflicting directions consequential to compelling desires, obligations, ambitions, and desires. Three attributes that cause a strain in Macbeths life are ambition, self-doubt, and bravely. Shakespeare uses Macbeth in showing how personal ambitions and guilt terribly affect people who lack a strong personality. The aforementioned three attributes illustrate the struggle for mastery of Macbeth through the play. We first hear of Macbeth in the wounded captain’s description of his battle boldness hence get an impression that he is a capable brave warrior. His nobility and rank are valuable aspects that make him seem fit for his status. However, his encounter with three witches provokes a deep impatient ambition. Soon after the first prophecy on being Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth gets a nasty image of the murder of King Duncan in his mind. This would open a room for him to assume the throne (Bloom 8). Macbeth is though not solely and ambitious as seen in his fright of the murder image that thoroughly defiles his loyalty. Macbeth is portrayed as deeply thinking about being the king. He is though undecided whether...
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...quotes that Lady Macbeth says, this is said before they kill King Duncan, Macbeth is having second thoughts about murder and Lady Macbeth tell him that it will make him a better person, stronger, and more manly. Lady Macbeth may look like a pretty, sweet, innocent woman, but in truth, she is strong willed and ambitious. Throughout the play her mental state changes and can relive that she does indeed have a heart. Lady Macbeth changes throughout the play from willing to kill and then to having a guilt that overcomes her. Lady Macbeth at first is the one very eager to kill Duncan. She is the one to push and persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan. When Lady Macbeth first hears...
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...pushover husband, and a treacherous plan to be king into the mix, it can lead to divorce…or in this case, death. In the play Macbeth, gender roles and relations are a prominent theme throughout the play. This recurring thematic element is especially illustrated in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's actions as individuals as well as a couple. Their perception of gender specific roles for male and females, as well as their personal adaptation to unforeseen situations in the play, caused them to reexamine the preconceived notions of acceptable male - female relations and ultimately led to their demise both as individuals and as a couple. During the opening acts of the play, specifically acts I and II, Macbeth’s persona could be described as timid and humble; on the other hand, his counterpart -Lady Macbeth, had ruthless, devious, and manipulative character traits. From the beginning, Lady Macbeth was undoubtedly not a typical wife. She broke the status quo of the stereotypical 11th century wife of the soon-to-be Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. She did not stay in her castle and perform mundane wifely duties; on the contrary, she was a go-getter, and her robust nature often made her seem more manly than her husband. In fact, she wanted to become a man, so she could do the things her timid husband would not. She knows Macbeth is ambitious, but fears he is too “full o th’ milk of human kindness” to take the necessary steps to make himself king. “...come you spirits that tend on mortal...
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...In different periods of time, the lives of humans and nature were thought to have a connection, and this is emphasized in William Shakespeare's play MacBeth. In this play, unnatural events in nature foreshadow bad or unnatural occurrences in the lives of humans. Through out the play, Shakespeare continuously proves this point. When Ross said "As sparrows eagles or the hare the lion" (I.ii.35), it proves this theory. Common knowledge says that sparrows do not classify as eagles does a hare classify as a lion. They may have similarities, such as they are both birds or mammals, but they are opposites. After the quote is spoken, Ross reveals that the Thane of Cawdor has betrayed his country and Macbeth shall take his place. Macbeth becoming the Thane of Cawdor was an unusual event and not expected. When Macbeth finds the dagger in front of him, it alludes to this point even more. The foreshadowing of Macbeth's choice becomes evident when he says, "Nature seems dead" (II.i.50) For nature to seem dead would be the complete opposite of living because nature is thought to be continuously growing and changing, not dying. This is an unnatural event, that again foreshadows something bad, which is Duncan's death. Other unnatural occurrences happened prior to Duncan's death but were not explained until afterwards. When the old man says "'Tis unnatural / Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing hawk killed"...
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...Macbeth dramatizes the effects of political ambition on those who seek the ultimate power; power to be king. Although, who can we blame to bear the lion’s share of responsibility of the tragedies that took place in that time? Most characters involved in the play could be placed as responsible but some characters are also more guilty than others might be assumed to be. The three witches of Macbeth’s fate, Macbeth himself, as well as his wife, Lady Macbeth can be seen as holding most of the responsibilities of the problems. The witches were the ones that inspired the first evil thought of killing King Duncan into Macbeth’s mind, Macbeth acted upon the vile thoughts and, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to even remotely act on those vile thoughts of his, so who is actually the most liable for their actions?...
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...William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth addresses the threats to his kingship then further explains his plan for action to Lady Macbeth. Although, in this excerpt, Macbeth expresses his fears to suggest that the threats to the kingship are “[the] frames [that] disjoint [and that] both of the world[s] [that are] suffering” (Line 2). Utilizing connotative diction, figurative language, and death imagery, Shakespeare reveals Macbeth’s deep desires, but also suggests a fear that he has to remain in power as king. In the beginning of the excerpt, Macbeth reveals that there might be a threat to his kingship because the “prophecy” that the witches made up is coming true. Therefore, Macbeth declares his plan to...
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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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...Macbeth is presented as a suffering victim, who then plummets into a downward spiral where he becomes a symbol of evil. When we first encounter Macbeth, the witches have just foretold the three prophecies. Macbeth is enamored with the idea of becoming king one day. Looking for advice Macbeth confided in his wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth’s immediate reaction is that she has always pinned for the throne and was going to find a way to obtain it. Ultimately Lady Macbeth conjured up the idea to kill King Duncan. She later presents her matoltocal plan to Macbeth. At first Macbeth is not willing to go through with her plan. He thinks it is unjust and that there are other ways to obtain the throne. However Lady Macbeth uses her power of persuasion and lores her husband into a trap. She does this by stating, “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”(Shakespeare 1.7.49) Lady Macbeth tries to take away Macbeth sexuality by saying in the quote that if he does not complete this deed he will be less of a man in her eyes. She continues to go into more depth and say that she will no longer love him either. Lady Macbeth picks apart Macbeth until there is nothing left. She took away Macbeth...
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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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...Macbeth: The Murder “To me, this world is nothing but evil, and my own evil just happened to come out cause of the circumstances of what I was doing.”- Aileen Wuornos. Aileen Wuornos was an american serial killer that killed over seven men. She was driven through how she saw this world as evil and how circumstances let her evil side come out. This is exactly like how Macbeth see his world in the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare is about a Man that who became a murderer after a series of influencing events. The First one was with the witches and the prophecies that were told to him. This one is Important, but not the main reason for Macbeth's actions. It was The agitation of the king that cause him to kill him and not though his influenced by his wife. He also show agitation in the play which leads him to kill King Duncan....
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...Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, readers witness this exact situation; ambition is what leads to Macbeth’s destruction. This trait can also be referred to as his hamartia. The dangerous growth of ambition begins when the witches present to him a prophecy, continues when Lady Macbeth pushes him until, finally, he has built up enough to drive himself to destruction. To begin with, the first instance in which ambition presents a danger is when Macbeth gets encouraged by the witches’ supernatural promises. After he hears the witches declare that he will be named Thane of Cawdor and “shalt be king hereafter” (I. iii. 48), a spark is lit and his darker side comes out. This is especially noticed when he says, “my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single slate of man that function / Is smother’d insurmise, and nothing is / But what is not.” (I. iii. 138-141). It is visible at this time that ambition is just beginning to drive him in the wrong direction and away from moral consciousness. This battle of conscious vs excessive ambition is central to the story. It is referred to by Lady Macbeth, upon welcoming Macbeth home after hearing of his title as Thane of Cawdor, when she states, “Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without / The illness should attend it”. (I. v. 17-19) Here, she is afraid that Macbeth is ‘too kind’ and does not have enough ambition to become King. We later find out she is wrong. Later on, Lady Macbeth encourages the...
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