Killing the King in William Shakespeare's Macbeth
William Shakespeare was born on April 23rd 1564 in Stratford, England.
In the 1590's Shakespeare joined a touring theatre company in London.
He was the lead actor of the company, which was called " The Lord
Chamberlain's Men." By the late1590's Shakespeare became a well know
writer.
In 1599, he founded the Globe theatre, an open playhouse in London,
with six other friends and called themselves "The King's Men" with
King James 1's permission in 1603. On April 23rd 1616 Shakespeare
died.
As a lover of the theatre, King James became patron to the troop of
one of his most favourite subjects who was William Shakespeare, the
playwright. Shakespeare and the king held a special relationship as
they both loved literature and plays.
During Shakespeare's time, most people were very superstitious because
they believed in the supernatural. This was shown in the language from
that time in the play "Macbeth". Shakespeare's Macbeth explores the
change in character from a kind, respectable warrior to a murdering,
lying "fiend", through desire and greed.
We see the true Macbeth as "brave, valiant and heroic". The captain
describes Macbeth's personality by saying, "for brave Macbeth, well he
deserves that name." This creates the image of a hero and warrior. To
the audience they see a patriotic figure that is highly regarded by
the captain. Macbeth and his friend Banquo were said to be "cannons
overcharged with double cracks." This is a metaphor that describes the
passion of Macbeth and his college. It shows that he works twice as
hard as others do, giving the effect that he is more loyal....
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...m and also intriguing which makes
him want more. He wonders after the first two prophecies come true
whether it is luck but immediately knows that the witches are telling
the truth, therefore he will become king. The witches tell him that he
will become king so Macbeth decides to kill the king in order to speed
up the process.
His wife is the other main factor, although after receiving the letter
from Macbeth about the witches she wants Macbeth to kill the king for
her own desires. She uses lots of emotive language as well as
blackmail in order to quicken the process, as she knows that they will
become monarchs sooner or later.
Overall the witches have an impact on Lady Macbeth as they cause her
to try and persuade her husband to assassinate the king and therefore
be sentenced to a life of misery and damnation.