...represent Macbeth, throughout the play Macbeth became heartless after the murders he had committed. Macbeth became a danger to everyone by his actions and deeds. He chose to cut his emotions off because he knew that it would be the only way for him to successfully do whatever it took to fulfill the prophecies that the witches had told him. He did whatever he had to do in order to get what he wanted. When Lady Macbeth committed suicide Macbeth took it in a nonchalant manner; however he pitied her for her weakness. He was evil itself, he was darkness, like a nightmare come true. This quote relates to Lady Macbeth, throughout the play Lady Macbeth so desperately wanted Macbeth to become king. She wanted him to become king so much that she convinced Macbeth to kill King Duncan. She was so corrupt that she even helped to finish the cover up of King Duncan’s murder by taking the daggers back to the room. Lady Macbeth wanted to be on top, she wanted to rule Scotland. She, like her husband was willing to do whatever it took to get what they wanted. Her wish for Macbeth to become king came true, but the guilt of the murders made her horrified and she committed suicide. This quote reminds me of Malcolm, after the death of his beloved father he fled in fear that him or his brother would be next. He knew that evil was among Scotland, but never understood why someone so evil and malicious would want to kill his father. He couldn’t live his entire life not knowing who did it...
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...ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” -James 4:1-3 Macbeth wanted fame. He wanted to be the highest in the land. Not just one of the the highest, as he and Banquo were, but the supreme. He wanted the Kings place. Or did he? When we first read the Macbeth play, written by the great Shakespeare, we don’t read into Macbeth's inner wants and demons. We first read of the Three Witches, not of Macbeth. So then, how can we tell of Macbeth's motives, when we don’t even hear of his motives till the Witches prophesy? After all, the whole theme of this book is based upon his motives of self-fulfilment. So how is it we find the theme through motives we don’t see till later? That is a question, we shall answer together. “34-40 DUNCAN Dismayed not this our captains,...
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...1. Banquo poses the threat of essentially taking away the throne from him. Although the witches stated that Banquo himself would not be king, his sons will be and that in turn poses a threat to Macbeth and soon, his kingship. Because the witches’ prophecy about Macbeth becoming king came true, he questions whether they were going to be right about Banquo and his legacy. Although, Macbeth in this scene is too worried, he does not realize that he was the one who fundamentally caused the series of events to occur after killing King Duncan. Banquo might decide to keep the information he learned from the witches to himself because if he spoke up people might think that he was a part of Kind Duncan’s murder, because they may believe that he did this just to become king. Also, he probably does not want to sabotage his chances of his sons becoming kings if someone else finds out. 2. Macbeth might be curious about where Banquo is going because he wants to keep an eye on Banquo for two reasons. One reason being that he wants to kill him so that his sons are not the reason that he loses his thrown. He uses this as a safety mechanism and later on in the act we find out that Macbeth hires three murders to kill Banquo in order to carry out his plan of staying king. He also wants to keep an eye on Banquo so that way he does not find out that he was the one who killed King Duncan for the thrown. Banquo may have already been suspicious of the murder because he was with Macbeth and heard the...
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...mind factor greatly in his capacity to murder Duncan and his guards and then subsequently Banquo. Is it the devolution of Macbeth’s criminal mind combined with the means, motive and opportunity that all contribute to Macbeth’s murderous actions towards Duncan and Banquo? As a criminal mind did Macbeth possess the means to carry out murder? The witches’ prophesy provides the trigger to Macbeth’s criminal mind. They unleash the means that gives Macbeth thought to killing Duncan to become king. He states “I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know” (1.7.79-83). In his heart Macbeth knows that he is capable of killing Duncan to satisfy his ambitions. Empowered by his murder of Duncan Macbeth soon realizes that he can eliminate Banquo and Fleance too. His character is devolving with each act of violence. He has killed three why not two more? The motivation of a criminal often responds negatively to stressors in their environment. Where the witches were Macbeth’s trigger he experienced stress from Lady Macbeth and his guilty conscience. When Lady Macbeth learns of the witches’ prophesies she pushes Macbeth into murdering Duncan. She insults his manhood by saying “but screw your courage to the sticking-place and we’ll not fail” (1.7.60-61). So Macbeth kills Duncan. He then kills Duncan’s guards to throw suspicion away from him. However,...
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...With each drop bringing us closer to the room of the Macbeths. In the room you can see Macbeth sitting down on the bed. He was wearing a distinguished black robe with black attire under it for the funeral of Banquo. As Macbeth was rubbing his fingers through his hair he began to talk to himself. "I can't believe he's gone," he said. "my best friend was killed and it’s all my fault!" Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth was waiting on her dress to be tailored across town and was held up because of the bad weather. "Could you work a little faster peasant?" Lady Macbeth said. "I'm going as fast as I can your heiress." said the tailor. Now going back to Macbeth who's been walking all through the castle battling his thoughts. Out of the blue he feels a cold breeze smother his body while the room shakes. As he tumbles over he sees Banquo standing right in front of him. Macbeth sits on the floor in shock as he sees his best friend for the first time since his death. "How can this be?" Macbeth said. "you're supposed to be dead!" Banquo begins to laugh profusely. "Clearly I am dead fool," said Banquo. "you made sure of that." "I am sorry Banquo I’ve been feeling awful ever since." said Macbeth. "Feeling awful isn't enough Macbeth," said Banquo. "if you want to make amends for what you did you must tell the truth." "Tell the truth?" said Macbeth. "that's ridiculous I couldn't confess everything that I've done." "You must confess Macbeth," sad Banquo. "telling the truth will free you of the guilt inside...
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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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...The witches of dangerous things, which Macbeth is indeed thinking, killing the king is the only way for him to become king, he thinks it but doesn’t want to do it. He doubts his own thoughts but he is also confused as it is as if the witches can read his mind, he has fear of his own thoughts and how he could think of such things. Macbeth becomes exited by the witches words, and know he knows he is Thane of Cawdor he knows the witches tell the truth and can be confident in the fact that he will be king, but that means he has to kill the king and he will, but he doesn’t want to. Macbeth is a vulnerable person and the witches got to him at the right time, he is full of glory from the battle. This also shows that he is brave and confident, as he was very good at killing and he didn’t care about it, he just did it without thinking, it was his job. The excuses show that he does still really want to be king, he is happy with being famous but know he wants the crown; he is jealous and is confident that he can kill the king because he needs the crown and he will please his wife. He submits to Lady Macbeth showing how even though he had some doubts about it, the want and need outweighed the doubt and he in fact would get the crown and could kill the king he just needed the persuasion and for his wife to tell him that it is the right thing to do. He then takes over the planning himself and he loses his fear and doubt for a while. He shows fear and shock after the murder he is edgy and...
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...The Tragedy of Macbeth implements the idea of kings ruling by divine right. Shakespeare limits the belief of divine right by presenting the character of Macbeth as a traitor and supports it by giving his intemperate ambition a consequence. From Princesses to Kings, any person emerged in royalty entails a divine source of power. In Shakespeare's day and age, whether known for their tyranny or their loyalty, Kings and Queens were always the most authoritative and idolized figures. Shakespeare Shakespeare provides his writing with an efficient amount of historical context; his opinions on the Gunpowder Plot, Great Chain of Being, supernatural powers and witches all hold a substantial amount of importance in Macbeth. This play, written during...
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...[pic] When Duncan the Meek reigned King of Scotland, there lived a great thane, or lord, called Macbeth. This Macbeth was a near kinsman to the king, and in great esteem at court for his valour and conduct in the wars; an example of which he had lately given, in defeating a rebel army assisted by the troops of Norway in terrible numbers. The two Scottish generals, Macbeth and Banquo, returning victorious from this great battle, their way lay over a blasted heath, where they were stopped by the strange appearance of three figures like women, except that they had beards, and their withered skins and wild attire made them look not like any earthly creatures. Macbeth first addressed them, when they, seemingly offended, laid each one her choppy finger upon her skinny lips, in token of silence; and the first of them saluted Macbeth with the title of thane of Glamis. The general was not a little startled to find himself known by such creatures; but how much more, when the second of them followed up that salute by giving him the title of thane of Cawdor, to which honour he had no pretensions; and again the third bid him "All hail! king that shalt be hereafter!" Such a prophetic greeting might well amaze him, who knew that while the king's sons lived he could not hope to succeed to the throne. Then turning to Banquo, they pronounced him, in a sort of riddling terms, to be lesser than Macbeth and greater! not so happy, but much happier! and prophesied that though he should never reign,...
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...Shawn M. Henry Mrs. Berger The play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare takes place mainly in Scotland, this is the place in which the late King Duncan ruled and he was killed by his former general Macbeth, over power to rise as king of Scotland. Macbeth however was never intending to kill the king, it all started when Macbeth and his good friend Banquo meet three strange women who they later found out to be witches, they told Macbeth of a prophesy that he will be given the title of Thane of Cawdor and soon after be crowned king of Scotland, and as for Banquo his children will become kings. Even though the two wish to hear more the three witches disappear and as predicted King Duncan proclaimed Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. Lady Macbeth hears the news of her husband becoming the Thane of Cawdor, when Macbeth reaches home he tells his wife of the prophesy of the three witches and this enables the wife to produce a plan in order to kill the king in their own home and make it look as if they were the witnesses to the crime rather than the doers of the crime by framing the kings guards and claiming it on the fact that they had too much to drink making Macbeth the King of Scotland and making Lady Macbeth Queen of Scotland. This however introduces the themes of the play which is corrupting power and destiny/ prophesies. Lady Macbeth elaborates on corrupting power when she speaks to the doctor “I still have the smell of blood on my hand. All the perfumes of Arabia couldn’t make my little hand...
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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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...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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...The story Macbeth is like no other in plot and poetry. It sets itself apart from the rest by having a protagonist becoming evil. What makes Macbeth such a complicated character is the way his outlook keeps on changing throughout the play. This essay will prove that Macbeth is an evil man and was not overpowered by ambition to get what he wanted. This essay will also determine that certain characters like the witches did not force him to do evil; they simply triggered it. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is shown as a hero in the Scottish army that is ironic because Macbeth has defeated a traitor and he will become one. We feel that a person of his loyalty could never commit evil unless he had a good reason or if he would be provoked. After Macbeth's first meeting with the witches, we learn from his aside that he has thought about killing Duncan " My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical" 1(Macbeth 1.3.152). Macbeth also says " If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir." 2(Macbeth 1.4.157-159) which means that maybe he does not have to murder the king to gain that title. Luck has been very generous to him and might continue and make him king. Macbeth's true evil thoughts about being king are first shown when he finds out that king Duncan has named his son Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland. He now shows his evil and his true feelings. " Stars, hide your fires; Let not night see my black and deep desires. The...
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...leads to a choice that is morally wrong, followed by betrayal of other people in order to advance their own greed or power. Throughout the play of Macbeth three themes are present. Ambition, betrayal, and retribution are evident in the play in numerous different scenarios. Ambition is the source of most, if not all of the problems in this play. It all started with the witches prophecies “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee Thane of Glamis/All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee thane of Cawdor/” (at this point Macbeth does not know he is the Thane of Cawdor, so when it happens he believes firmly in the witches prophecies). “All hail Macbeth! Shalt be king hereafter (Act 1:3:49-53)”. Macbeth is fascinated to a point where becoming king becomes an obsession for him. Furthermore, this ambition leads him to not only think about being king, but how to eliminate Duncan in order for him to become king. “If it were done, when ‘tis...
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...To what extent is masculinity associated with evil and violence in Macbeth? Evil is a theme widely explored by Shakespeare in his plays and “Macbeth” is no exception. This play demonstrates violence in relation to evil and evil in turn is a reflection of the desperation and anxieties of the characters in “Macbeth.” The question of whether masculinity is associated with evil and violence is easily answered as the main character in this horrific tragedy is Macbeth himself, who commits a range of heinous crimes from murder to dabbling with witchcraft. However, the extent to which masculinity is related to evil is more obscure. In this essay I am going to show that evil and violence in “Macbeth” is not monopolised by masculine characters. To show this I will be analysing female characters who demonstrate strong evil qualities and personalities such as Lady Macbeth, The Witches and Hecate. I will also discuss Banquo, Macduff and King Duncan because these characters represent chivalry, nobility and honour of human characters, even though they are male. The first character I will be looking at is Macbeth himself. This is because he is the central character and focus of the entire play. From the outset Macbeth is depicted as a fierce war hero: “Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements.” (Act 1: Scene 1: Lines 22 – 23) The captain using the...
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