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Evils in the plays of Shakespeare
How does shakespeare present the theme of evil in the play
How does shakespeare present evil in the play as a whole
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Perhaps one of the most controversial characters in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the third murderer is a character that has puzzled people for centuries. Given no identity of the third murderer, the reader is left to his own devices to analyze who this culprit might be. In an article, Michael Baird Saenger possesses a theory, in which he states that the third murderer is none other than Satan himself. Contrary to Saenger, in another article, Henry Irving describes the third murderer as being a trusted attendant of Macbeth. Although both articles are well thought out, the third murderer is more likely another suspect who often is overlooked. However unlikely it might be, Michael Baird Saenger proposes the theory that Satan is in fact the third murderer …show more content…
Irving explains that “Macbeth utters what little he does say to this attendant in a tone of marked contempt” suggesting that this attendant is close to Macbeth and is trusted (Irving 147). He also explains that if there was enough time, this break could “afford the opportunity for Macbeth to communicate to him the undertaking of the two murderers and give him instructions to follow and observe them” (Irving 148). Although not mentioned in the play, the time that elapsed between scenes could allow Macbeth to send out an attendant. Macbeth could have explained what he wanted his attendant to do and sent his attendant to watch over the murder to see that all goes as planned. It is also proposed that “the exact familiarity with which the third murderer shows with the surroundings of the palace and readiness with which his information is accepted suggests that he must have been somebody quite conversant with the palace usage and approaches” (Irving 149). Irving rightly claims that the third murderer must have been knowledgeable of the castle paths and surroundings to have known where exactly the murder was taking place. If a human, the murderer must have certainly been close to Macbeth and knowledgeable of the grounds surrounding the castle; however, these obvious requirements also point to another more likely character as being the third
Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, portrays Macbeth as a kinsman, subject and trusted friend to King Duncan I of Scotland. A trusted friend, that is, until Macbeth has a chance encounter with the “three witches” (Shakespeare) or the “Weird Sisters”. The witches predict that Macbeth will become the next King and that his fellow companion, Banquo, will be the father of a line of kings. A change comes over Macbeth after his meeting; he is no longer content to be a follower of the King, he will “be” King at any cost. After killing the King and his friend Banquo, losing his wife to madness and ordering the execution of many, Macbeth is killed in much the same fashion as he has killed. But does this really reflect the real King MacBeth of Scotland? While examining the characteristics and actions of the two Macbeths and decide if Shakespeare’s writing was historically sound or was it just “double, double, toil and trouble” (4.1.22-26) playing with MacBeth’s character.
When a hero dies it is always sad, but when a hero dies for the betterment of his country, it isn't always, that is what sets Macbeth and Edgar Allan Poe apart. Macbeth, a character created by the famed William Shakespeare for the play The Tragedy Of Macbeth, is the thane of Glamis and Cawdor during the 1600s in Scotland. Edgar Allan Poe, on the other hand, was not created by a poet but infact was one himself. While Macbeth and Poe had very different upbringings, they both did great things in their lives to benefit society but also committed immoral deeds which ultimately led them to their tragic deaths. Both men rising to acknowledgement later in life, they started to commit their deeds after slight recognition of their talent. These deeds, Macbeth’s being the murder of his king and Poe’s being his addictions,
In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the lead character of the same name is not sufficiently happy with the high social position he occupies and the honored status he has acquired. Viewing the play simplistically, one may conclude that Duncan is murdered due to the ambition of Macbeth. Ambition is a sin, of course, and therefore Macbeth is punished for his sins. If one does not care to probe more deeply, this evaluation of the play is almost entirely satisfactory, because it is very simple and neat. Yet, this approach converts the work from an extraordinarily complex study of evil into a straightforward morality play and closes off discussion of the most interesting aspects of the play.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Shakespeare’s Macbeth are two texts who have stood the test to time. Despite the years passing by, the values expressed in those two classics continue to be important nowadays. Granting that these two books are quite different, in settings, writing style and general plot, there are also some elements that ties these two pieces of literature to each other. For instance, the characters of Tom Robinson and Lady Macduff. Both of the characters embody the theme “evil touches especially the innocent”. Tom Robinson, a black man, first becomes acquainted with evil when he is accused of raping a white woman. Whilst Lady Macduff is mercilessly assassinated due to being wedded to Macduff. These two characters both suffered the consequences of being in contact with uncontrollable evils:
The tone Macbeth uses alludes to the idea that Macbeth is confident that the Attendant will do as he commands no matter how demeaning the task. This arrogance demonstrated by Macbeth shows how little he cares about what the Attendant tells others. Irving also believes the Attendant “was ordered to watch [the other two murderers]” (148). Irving’s point is an example of the practical application for the Attendant being the Third Murderer. Since Macbeth has control over the Attendant, Irving’s argument makes sense that Macbeth “secures himself a check upon the two murderers in the person of this attendant who is made as an accomplice, and whose lips are sealed” (148). In addition to Macbeth’s control over the Attendant, Irving also mentions that the Third Murderer is said to have been highly familiar with the palace grounds (149). This description of the Third Murderer makes it even more likely that the Attendant, who is well versed in the palace grounds, is the Third Murderer. Therefore, from a logical standpoint, the Attendant fits the role of the Third
Macbeth is an epic tragedy inspiring pity and remorse because the hero, though flawed, is also shown to be human. The play portrays a journey of self-discovery and awareness as both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth pass from happiness to misery. Their punishment is well deserved, but the retributive price is enormous. Evil, both internal and external, corrupts their minds, distorting their positive traits and exaggerating their worst. Both fall victim to ‘vaulting ambition’, pride and greed, tempting them to acts of treason and betrayal of friends, kinsmen and the nation itself.
Shakespeare 's The Tragedy of Macbeth, set in Scotland,tells a story of a Scottish general who, afflicted by malicious prophecy, kills the king to claim the throne for himself. Emphasizing the murderous pattern exhibited by Macbeth and his wife, the play tragedizes the devastating consequences of political ambition and murderous intent. The pattern, however, ends with Macduff 's fulfilling of the witches prophecy and claiming Macbeth 's life. This essay aims to explore such pattern by examining the assassination of king Duncan, the attempted murders of Banquo 's sons, and the slaughter of Macduff 's family that would eventually drive the thane to take the life of Macbeth himself.
One Writer; two tragedies and two really different murderers. William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth are generally common tragedies. Hamlet and Macbeth successfully deal with the need for royal power and its bad after effects.This essay examines the probable corollary that a tragic villain may possess and or including characteristics that may be passing on the same level with the tragic-heroes. Being hero-villains, Macbeth and Claudius present similarities.Both of them are magnanimous, driven by ambition, suffer internally, lack conscience and smart.
The play ‘Macbeth’ was written in the early seventeenth century, in a time when the English people believed very strongly in the existence of witches. A range of powers were certified to these evil beings, including the ability to see into the future, control the weather, fly and become invisible at will and communicate with the devil. The witches were believed to enjoy making human beings suffer, by causing livestock to get ill and die, for example. From the outset of this play, when three witches appear on stage, the contemporary audiences would have anticipated a plot that demonstrated just how evil such creatures could be.
The ambition that drives Macbeth also drives the play’s storyline, prompting him to commit an act that initially horrifies him: killing Duncan, a man both kin and king to him. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical shakes so my single state of man that function is smothered in surmise, and nothing is but what is not,” muses Macbeth, a line that marks the first moment that roiling ambition beneath Macbeth’s surface is revealed to the reader. (I. iii. 137-138). His words foreshad...
Macbeth is a brave general who fights for his country Scotland, defeating the King of Norway. He is loyal to his king Duncan, but Macbeth has ambition to take over the kingdom for himself. He has lots of doubts of if he is doing the right thing, but still murders Duncan and then Banquo who is another general who fought with Macbeth. These murders and guilt about his treason are leading Macbeth to become insane. This essay shows that although Macbeth’s strong desire for power is influenced by the three witches in the play and also the planning and ambition of his wife Lady Macbeth, in the end he is responsible for his self-destruction.
The question remains unsolved, and the play is open to the reader's interpretation, but the fact remains that the Third Murderer is a mysterious character who shows up for one scene and is gone. No other information is known other than sheer speculation. But the fact remains; Mystery and suspense along with the other three elements mentioned make up for a great play. Macbeth truly is a literary masterpiece.
The very first murder in this story was committed on Duncan. This crime was planned by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The actual murder was done by Macbeth, making him more guilty of the crime. Lady Macbeth just talked about committing the crime, but she never actually went through with it nor would she ever, and that is all that counts. Talking about committing the incident is very different from actually doing it. Lady Macbeth did a little more than just talk about it though. She also urged Macbeth into doing it and that is what makes her part of this crime, but she is not as guilty as Macbeth. He really didn't have to listen to what his wife said. Macbeth had a mind of his own and he could make his own decision. The other murders that Macbeth was involved in were not committed by him, but were ordered by him. The people who did the killing had no choice, they had to do it, because they worked for Macbeth. Macbeth knew this and was a bit more guilty in these murders then lady Macbeth was when she urged him.
The characters Macbeth and Satan both share a number of qualities with each other. Both portray the corrupting influence of power, or the want of it. Both possess inordinate ambitions. Despite these similarities, however, the disparities between the two of them, in the conception of their evil, are apparent.
Macbeth’s story highlights the inherent goodness found in all of us, but also the evil that lurks within us, unnourished. Although there is no redemption for Macbeth’s evil sins, he finally comes to acknowledge his crimes and thus can provoke pity in the eyes of the audience. Macbeth’s psychological journey from a courageous general to a “ dead butcher” (5.9.41) is one that truly merits to be called a tragedy.