Extraordinary And Ordinary In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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As early as the Medieval period, distinguished from the literature structure in the Anglo-Saxon period, an obvious focus on the idea of "ordinary" has been highlighted in the stories and epics. During the Anglo-Saxon period, the literature seem to follow the idea of "heroic epic" in order to illustrate the greatness and unity of the nation. The kings of Anglo Saxon, are described as demigod. However, in the literature of the middle age, the attention of humanity has shift: by depicting the weakness and the struggle of the noble men, the concept of "extraordinary" within "ordinary" unraveled. The characters, for example, the Knights Gwen and the greatest King of England, King Arthur, infer the idea of extraordinary and ordinary in the story. …show more content…

According to the three witches, Macbeth shall one day be "King hereafter", and Banquo shall "get King", though himself would"be none [king]"(I. iii. 50, 66). After hearing this astonishing prophecy, Banquo manifests with neither ecstasy nor fear, but with rational cautiousness. He exhorts Macbeth that sometimes "the instruments of darkness tell truths"and "[w]in [them]with honest trifles" in order to "win [them] to [their] harm"and "betray [them] In deepest consequence"(I. iii. 124-125). However, the struggle of Macbeth is much more complicated. He falls into an absolute situation of controversy. He seemingly believes in fate, since he claims that "[he] 'd chance [would] have [him] King, the chance may crown [him]"(I. iii. 144-145). Even this might indicate that he doesn 't regard the witches as the voice of fate, but of "chance", Macbeth eventually decides he would assist his"chance" by murdering Duncan(The Witches of Macbeth: Fate, Free Will, and the Influence of Evil.). With a simple gibberish from the wired sisters, the characteristics of Macbeth, the warrior of the great nation, is able to be shaken. With a tiny crack of weakness in Macbeth 's soul, the entire structure of his morality and ration collapses. Since the prophecy causes a sense of connection between the witches ' predictions and Macbeth 's desire, it makes Macbeth recognizes the prophecy as the confirmation …show more content…

His struggle between morality and ambition leaves him in a quandary. He knows the act of killing Duncan is morally sinful, and yet he promises he would fulfill his words. Macbeth represents a figure who devotes to evil, but yet his soliloquies of struggle are eloquent with pathos that arouse empathy. Thus at the heart of the play lies a tangle of uncertainty("The Witches of Macbeth: Fate, Free Will, and the Influence of Evil."). As the king 's "kinsman" and " host"with "double trust", Macbeth "should against [the king 's] [murderer] with protection" rather than "bear the knife [himself]"(I. vii. 12-16). But as a man who"dares [to] do all", the expansive power could not be given up. In addition, Macbeth acts irresolute due to his halting attitude towards his destiny. While being afraid that the throne might be "stolen" by Malcolm, Macbeth is puzzled by his remaining faith. He even considers himself "[would] proceed no further in [murder] business" since "[the king] [has] [honored] [him]" for his loyalty (I. vii. 31-35). Even Macbeth reveals strong desire to reach the more noble pride and honor, his anxiety of losing the "golden opinion" and betraying the virtuous King Duncan holds him back from his vicious conspiracy. With the great struggle of emotion and values, Macbeth eventually goes insane and start to see illusions such as the ghost of King Ducan and the phantom of Banquo. Under

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