The Power of Corruption and Unbridled Ambition in Macbeth
Very few producers of art can actually let their works claim the appellation 'classic.' For to create a piece of work - literature, art, or poetry, that stands the test of time, that proves the author's premise relevant not just in the period when he created it, but also in the generations that follow, is not an easy task. The works of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) have, more than once, proved worthy of the title 'classic.' Not only does his work hold up, as he wished, a mirror to his own society, but manages to reflect what is going on much later, and indeed, may be relevant well into the next millennium, if civilization continues to peruse Shakespeare's writing. A study of the character of Macbeth, essentially reveals the parallels that Shakespeare draws with the human condition through the creation of Macbeth, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Shakespeare's choice of characters is significant. Steeped in the theatrical tradition, "Shakespeare was a historically minded, backward-looking man, much interested in the memorials of a previous past, as by its chronicles and its folklore." Holinshed's Chronicles and the works of Plutarch provided much fodder for Shakespeare's plots. But though the characters and facts were borrowed, it was Shakespeare's treatment that brought historical figures alive. Elizabethan drama frequently focused on politics, and the audience was used to the tradition of oration, particularly those delivered by kings, generals and figures in commanding positions. As John Palmer points out in Political and Comic Characters of Shakespeare, "...Elizabethans expected to find upon the stage, kings, princes, and gener...
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Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more
In Macbeth, Shakespeare succeeds in showing power of corruption, and also of unbridled ambition. The way he chooses to do this is in a brilliant flash of poetic philosophy, giving Macbeth a universal appeal that will remain undiminished in time to come.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, W. Macbeth, (Edited by A W Verity), Macmillan India, 1985
A L Rouse. Shakespeare the Man, Macmillan UK, 1973
Political and Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Macmillan UK, 1962
Dyer, T. Folklore of Shakespeare. Griffith & Farren:London,1883 (First Edition)
Elliott,G.R. Dramatic Providence in Shakespeare. Princeton University Press, 1958 (out-of-print Title)
Bindoff,S.T. Sr Tudor England, Pelican Books.1959
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In Dunbar’s poem, “Sympathy,” Dunbar repetitively states how he knows how the caged bird feels. He is able to associate his life experiences with the caged bird, who is suffering and wishes to be autonomous. This is shown when Dunbar states: “I know what the caged bird beats his wing… I know why the caged bird sings (Lines 1,8,15).” Evidently, Dunbar sympathizes with the bird’s emotions and desires to be free. Dunbar pity’s the caged bird instead of writing about how it would be like to be free. The quote shows how Dunbar is aware and can relate to what the bird does. On the contrary, in the poem “Caged Bird,” Angelou writes about the comparison between the caged and free bird. The way Angelou writes about both birds lifestyle is a manifestation of her views of her trials. Maya Angelou states: “The free bird thinks of another breeze/ and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees… But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams… his wings are clipped and his feet are tied (Lines 20,21,24,26).” In this quote the author writes how she was feeling imprisoned due to the racial issues between the whites and African Americans. Just like the caged bird, ANgelou relates to it because she too feared to speak her mind without being punished. Moreover, in “Sympathy,” Dunbar relates his segregation issues and lack of freedom to the caged bird
The essence of Macbeth lies not only in the fact that it is written by the universal talent William Shakespeare; the royal-conspiracy, the political unethical activity, the killin...
In Laurence Dunbar’s poem, “Sympathy” he points out the lifestyle of a caged bird and the bird’s desire for freedom. For example, Dunbar neglects in the second stanza, “I know why the caged bird beats his wing… Till it’s blood is red on the cruel bars.” The caged bird has to stay in his cage when he could be perched on a swinging tree branch. The sights the caged bird sees
There are many different ways someone is considered to be free, the direct definition is to enjoy personal rights or liberty, this can be interpreted in different forms. In their poems “Caged Bird”, and “Sympathy”, Maya Angelou and Paul Laurance Dunbar use caged birds to represent what it means to be free. They both use birds to convey a better image for the reader. Birds are used in both poems of “Caged Bird” and “Sympathy” as a central image because the caged birds are metaphors for true freedom and hope.
Walker, Pierre A. Racial protest, identity, words, and form in Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Vol. 22. West Chester: Collage Literature, n.d. Literary Reference Center. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. .
Odysseus is very wise; he is able to get out of any situation he finds himself in and can also deceive anyone he finds the need to. Odysseus has the sort of cunning that one may expect to find in an action hero. However, Odysseus is able to do almost anything he wants with these skills of his. He is able to make up stories on the spot, such as when he told Athena that he was in fact not Odysseus but instead a weary traveler from Krete. Said he, “Far away in Krete I learned of Ithaka- in that broad island over the great ocean” (XIII, 327-328), and Athena knew it was Odysseus only because she was a goddess. Odysseus is very resourceful: he uses the things that are available to him. One instance of this trait is when he devises a plan to escape Polyphemos’s cave alive. Using the sheep as escape mechanisms is very clever. If he was not with his men in the cave, there would have been no way for them to get out. Also calling himself Nohbdy to trick Polyphemos into saying that no one hurt him is an ingenious idea. No one else would be able to execute his plan the way he did- with swiftness and bravery. O...