The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play
opinion Essay
1549 words
The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play
The Task: Discuss Shakespeare’s presentation of Lady Macbeth in Act 1
Scene 5 and Act 5 Scene 1 of ‘Macbeth.’ Account for the changes and
differences you notice and suggest how a contemporary as well as a
modern audience might respond to these scenes.
Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest tragedy, Macbeth tells the story
of a brave Scottish general (Macbeth) who receives a prophecy from a
trio of sinister witches that one day he will become king of Scotland.
Consumed with ambitious thoughts and urged to action by his wife,
Macbeth murders King Duncan and seizes the throne for himself. He
begins his reign wracked with guilt and fear and soon becomes a
dictatorial ruler, as he is forced to commit more and more murders to
protect him from hate and suspicion. The bloodbath swiftly propels
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to arrogance, madness, and death.
Macbeth’s wife is a deeply ambitious woman who desires for power and
position. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and more
ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan and seize
the crown. After the bloodshed begins, however, Lady Macbeth falls
victim to guilt and madness to an even greater degree than her
husband. Her conscience affects her to such an extent that she
eventually commits suicide. Interestingly, she and Macbeth are
presented as being deeply in love, and many of Lady Macbeth’s speeches
imply that her influence over her husband is primarily sexual. Their
joint disaffection from the world, occasioned by their partnership in
crime, seems to strengthen the attachment that they feel to each
another...
... middle of paper ...
... with her eyes wide open. Shakespeare
uses constant reference to act 1 in act 5. As Lady Macbeth washes
away an imperceptible spot, this signifies to the audience what
happened in act 1 when she tells Macbeth to wash as bloodstain.
Additionally Lady Macbeth is thought to be the more corrupting
character through the play as she is confident to murder the king, but
as the play ends she is identified to be more ruined than Macbeth and
is driven into insanity. Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth to portray a
strong message to the audience. Lady Macbeth is exposed as a manly
character, who wishes to have masculine features. She was driven to
kill herself by guilt and we think that she executes herself by
suicide. The play reveals many moral and religious issues; there is
comparison and reference to biblical stories.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that it is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest.
- Analyzes how she uses her poetic skill to make the spell flow.
- Opines that at one point, she wishes she were not a woman so that she could.
- Analyzes how in act 1 scene 7 we see that macbeth is still two minded in killing.
- Opines that guilt is never easy, but she has found out the hard way.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the character of macbeth in william shakespeare's play.
- Opines that if the murderer wasn't being led by his wife, motive or not, he would have been murdered.
- Analyzes how macbeth still has a conscience at this stage because he is very hesitant about killing the king but his weak nature over comes him.
- Opines that as soon as there is a time and place, he is all for it.
- Analyzes how the macbeth hears the bell that signals the end of act 2 scene 1.
- Opines that macbeth regrets killing king duncan, but that doesn't stop him killing innocent people to maintain his reign over the people of scotland.
- Narrates how banquo decides to kill him when he thinks that his plan is on.
- Opines that lady macbeth fainted when she found out that she had killed the guards.
- Explains that macbeth falls deeper and deeper into an evil spiral with each new vision. this is from the witches' first prediction of macbeth being king.
- Analyzes how at the end of act 4 scene 1 the actor explains what he is going to do.
- Analyzes how macbeth's growing character deteriorates from a noble man who graciously served the king, to violent and evil character.
- Analyzes how macbeth shows some good towards the end of the play when his wife has died and the battle is drawing closer. he wishes for a normal life but recognises that he has denied himself.
- Narrates how wood rejects the idea of macduff coming to dunsinane, and fights on until he realises that the man wasn't born in a natural birth.
- Narrates how he realizes that it is useless and fights on only to be defeated.
- Analyzes how macbeth is strong, brave, noble, loyal, and fights for the king without mercy, but the character we get to know doesn't reflect these qualities.
- Analyzes how macbeth's curiosity is aroused by the witches' prophecies as he thinks about becoming king of scotland. his superstitious nature corrupts his character.
1470 wordsRead More - Macbeth is a Tragic Hero in Shakespeare's Macbethanalytical essayMacbeth is a Tragic Hero in Shakespeare's Macbeth A tragic hero is said to be doomed from his beginning. Though courage and loyalty dwell in him, the temptation of superior life can be unsurpassable, and a civil person can display vicious, primitive attitudes and carry out evil deeds. Macbeth was an unfortunate man, who seemed insatiable, pitiless, and power-hungry, but really just attempted to cover up a tiny weakness he obtained through incidences beyond his control.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth is a tragic hero in shakespeare's macbeth. though courage and loyalty dwell in him, the temptation of superior life can be unsurpassable. he was an unfortunate man who seemed insatiable, pitiless, and power-hungry.
- Analyzes how macbeth is presented with a new, more respectable title after the fierce victory over sweno.
- Analyzes how macbeth reacted to the visit from the witches with surprise and interest, and wished the prophecy true.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth and the witches were obvious perpetrators in the situation, presenting him with a tempting prophecy lacking any explanation.
- Analyzes how macbeth seemed undeniably cruel. he killed the king of scotland, held his loyal guards responsible, and threw a banquet, creating an atmosphere of happiness.
- Analyzes how duncan's bad nature can be justified to a certain extent. he would not have gone through with the murdering of duncan if it wasn't for the pressure from his wife.
- Analyzes how macbeth's last tyrannical characteristic is capriciousness. he acts instantly, without sympathy or consideration.
- Analyzes how macbeth reassures himself and the doctor that he has nothing to fear yet and promises a dignified battle despite the outcome. he could have easily backed down and given up his reign by choice.
- Analyzes how macbeth, a tragic hero, is doomed from his beginning because of his ambition and moral weakness. his obsessive belief in the prophecies impaired him.
861 wordsRead More - The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play The Shakespearian play ‘Macbeth’ is one the four greatest tragedies, encompassing witchcraft, crime and punishment, evil temptations, guilt, remorse and above all, greed for power. ‘Macbeth’ was probably written in 1606 when Shakespeare was in his early 40s. His other three great tragedies had already been written, and his reputation was established. King James ruled England, having assumed the throne when Queen Elizabeth died in 1603. Aspects of ‘Macbeth’ seem to be calculated to flatter King James.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the character of macbeth in william shakespeare's play, which encompasses witchcraft, crime and punishment, evil temptations, guilt, remorse, and greed for power.
- Analyzes how james assumed the throne when queen elizabeth died in 1603. macbeth's vision of the line of kings implies that the stuart dynasty will continue to rule indefinitely.
- Explains that the role of women in society was significantly low and they were much less powerful than men, who held all public and political votes. the women's sphere of legitimate power was located in the home.
- Analyzes how women assumed control outside the domestic sphere during shakespeare's time. lady macbeth is presented as an evil and cruel woman yet at some points, she is portrayed as pitiful and pathetic.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth's view of her husband is weak, cowardly and timid. he is too kind and caring to commit evil but does not lack ambition.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's "macbeth" focuses on the changing character and his increasing greed for power, which causes the character to deteriorate from a man with nobility and good intentions.
- Analyzes how the audience decides whether macbeth is influenced by witches' prophecies, the manipulating of his wife, or his own ambition.
- Analyzes how shakespeare introduces the witches and the elizabethans believed strongly in the supernatural, and associated the devil with this.
- Analyzes how macbeth and banquo meet the witches and tell him that he will have two changes of title.
- Analyzes how macbeth receives this information with disbelief, reminding the witches that he is already thane of glamis and unaware at this point of their prophecies are wrong.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses soliloquies to reveal a character's inner thoughts, hidden feelings, and utmost intentions in "macbeth."
- Analyzes how the above quote is part of macbeth's speech, which is said in soliloquy. it implies that he already has plans of evil towards duncan who is obviously the obstacle preventing him from taking the throne
- Analyzes how lady macbeth possesses ‘fiend like’ qualities right from her first appearance in the play even though she is not yet ‘queen.
- Analyzes how the woman condemns 'the milk of human kindness' in her husband and is the driving force towards the murder of duncan and the denying of her womanly nature.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth thinks that her husband is too good a man to be able to become king. she seizes the opportunity to plan his murder.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is convinced that her plans to kill duncan will work, but he still has doubts and is hesitant over the situation.
- Analyzes how macbeth and lady macbeth carry out the murder together as 'cruel ministers' and cover up by making it seem like it was one of the king's guards who killed him.
- Analyzes how macbeth's first impressions on the audience are heroic, brave, and loyal, but these qualities disintegrate as the play progresses. the murder of duncan is the initial sign of greed for power in
- Analyzes how macbeth downplays the importance of their meeting with the witches', but banquo warns him about the evil that could come of the prophecy.
- Analyzes how macbeth feels guilty about the murder and his inner feelings are shown through this phantasm.
- Analyzes how macbeth sees his ghost, which only he can see, after banquo's murder at their first banquet as king and queen.
- Analyzes how macbeth portrays himself as a ‘butcher’ and ‘cruel minister’. he orders his murderers to murder macduff’s family for his disloyalty.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth reappears in act 5 as a weak, guilt-ridden woman, broken down from her former confident self.
- Analyzes how macbeth's tortured imagination is recalling memories from the past that she cast from her mind. she is afraid of the very things she summoned previously.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth imitates his words concerning his bloodstained hands and how all of the oceans could never wash them clean.
- Analyzes how she recalls conversations with macbeth consoling him from banquo s ghost. she repeats the phrase "to bed" five times, though her sleep is tormented and so will never sleep peacefully again.
- Analyzes how macbeth repeats what she has said to her but is also reassuring herself in her madness. psychoanalytical audiences would say that the source of this change is due to repression of feelings, memories or trauma.
- Analyzes how lady macduff possesses typical female attributes and is a mother figure.
- Analyzes how the woman represents all the good people murdered by macbeth. she loves her family and is distressed at her husband's departure.
- Analyzes how macbeth's second encounter with the witches confirms that he will have no invasion.
- Analyzes how the third apparition informs macbeth that he will rule scotland ‘’until great birnam wood to high dunsinane hill shall come against him’’.
- Analyzes how the witches' prophecies have made macbeth more steadfast in his actions. he is prepared to fight macduff because he knows that no man born of woman can kill him.
- Analyzes how shakespeare added short scenes to create dramatic tension while everyone was preparing for battle. macbeth is victorious at the start of the battle by killing lord siward, but macduff was less successful.
- Analyzes how the witches' prophecies seemed impossible, but macduff was not a man ‘’of woman born’’, so he murders macbeth.
- Analyzes how macbeth's ambition conspires with unholy forces to commit evil deeds, which generate fear, guilt, and even more horrible crimes.
- Analyzes how macbeth is a 'butcher' when he murders duncan, the present king on the commands of his wife.
- Analyzes how macbeth is the source of power in the murder of duncan. in her sleepwalking scene, she utters her remorse and talks about her blood stained hands.
- Analyzes how macduff's flight to england was a threat to his position according to the witches' prophecy that no man of woman born could harm him. macbeth was responsible for many crimes and how power hungry he was.
2138 wordsRead More - The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ is a play about murder and tragedy. When we first meet Lady Macbeth’s husband, Macbeth, we see him as a loyal and honourable man, however as we read further into the play his character changes. Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth: “False face must hide what the false heart doth know. ”
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the character of macbeth in william shakespeare's play about murder and tragedy.
- Analyzes how macbeth's determination develops from the predictions presented to him by the three witches.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth becomes weak, haunted, and guilt-ridden by her actions throughout the play. by studying her character we can look at how her strength deteriorates gradually.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth reads a letter informing her of the three witches and their predictions. her biggest worry is that she is too soft-hearted to kill duncan.
- Narrates how lady macbeth, when she receives the news that king duncan is coming to stay, cannot believe it. she calls on the evil spirits to defeminise her.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth conjures up the powers of the evil spirit world to strengthen her.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth, in act 2 scene 2, has completed her deed in the murder of duncan and waits impatiently for her to return. she appears strong and resolute but that is only a result of the alcohol.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth shows a human side to her personality. she would have killed duncan if he hadn't resembled her father.
- Compares lady macbeth's strength and weakness to that of her weak counterpart.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is sleepwalking and talking about the murders in act 5 scene 1. she tries to wash imagined blood from her hands, "what, will these hands ne’er be clean?"
- Analyzes how macbeth's words about the murders of duncan, banquo, and lady macduff.
634 wordsRead More - The Character of Lady Macbeth by William Shakespeareopinion essayThe Character of Lady Macbeth by William Shakespeare We are introduced to the character of Lady Macbeth in Act.1 scene 5, after she reads the letter from Macbeth, and from the start you can see that she is going to be evil. (Act.1 scene.5), " Yet do I fear thy nature ,
In this essay, the author
- Opines that they see that she is going to be evil. (act.1 scene.5).
- Opines that if she were a man, she could kill the king.
- Opines that they would be able to do it without showing any pity for the king.
- Opines that he should do and say all the right things to make him feel welcomed.
- Analyzes how she says that when they had just spoken, they were a man.
- Explains that if she had sworn to kill the king to him then, she would have done so.
- Opines that even when it comes to the murder scene, she is not as strong as she was.
- Opines that she is not as evil as she made out to be at the start.
- Opines that after she finds out that macbeth has killed him, there is a lot of summary:
- Opines that he will go mad if this takes over him. "these deeds must be done."
- Narrates how he could never get rid of the blood on his hands.
- Analyzes how she tells him when she gets some blood on her hands.
- Opines that she still has time to stay calm and think of what to do.
- Explains that she was the one who thought of how and when to kill king duncan.
- Analyzes how the way she said it to macbeth made him think that she was really loyal to him and so he changed his mind to killing the woman.
1219 wordsRead More - Analyzing the Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play This Essay will focus on the tragic tale of 'Macbeth', and by doing this I should be able to come up with both his villainous and redeeming qualities, which are shown from the very start of this play. He is a strong warrior along with the fact that people think highly of him, but in addition he is associated with the witches, as in one of the first lines a witch proclaims, "There to meet with Macbeth", which to the reader gives a sign of potential evil with Macbeth.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth is acting as if he has known the witch's words.
- Opines that both duncan and duncan go to see duncan. duncan has to make a very important decision.
- Analyzes how duncan has used his powers as a king so humbly.
- Narrates how the fish doesn't want to get its feet wet.
- Opines that he wants to be come king but in order to do so.
- Analyzes how macbeth tries to lie to himself, which is an evil quality.
- Narrates how they used their magic to put a spell on macbeth so that he could slay him.
- Opines that macbeth is kind at this stage or even has a bit of goodness.
- Opines that he has lived a good life until now, but has come to an end.
- Opines that he is doing what lady macbeth did to try and make her feel like a
- Describes the characters in the play.
1841 wordsRead More - Macbeth as a Tragic Hero in William Shakespeare's Play The play ‘Macbeth’ gives us many opportunities to consider the reasons for Macbeth’s actions. In this essay I will be considering the factors that have made Macbeth behave in such a way that he goes as far as killing his King, his companions, his companions’ families and drove his wife Lady MacBeth to commit suicide. I will also be talking about the techniques that Shakespeare has used to write this play. Shakespeare uses lots of similes, which is a technique that gives the audience a direct access to the characters inner thought as the other characters cannot hear him. Macbeth has three main soliloquies in the play, which are all related to someone being murdered.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth's behavior has made him go as far as he can.
- Analyzes how macbeth has faith in him and says that you can never trust a
- Describes james i, king of england and scotland, who was on the throne.
- Opines that it is hard to sympathise with macbeth since he isn't really shown as a character.
- Analyzes how his fall does not work very well in the play.
- Opines that macbeth is going mad and is scared at the start of the play.
- Opines that if the witches hadn't told him, it would have taken its place at its own time.
- Opines that we may feel sorry for a fellow soldier at the end.
- Opines that the ideal tragic hero should be the sort of man that is not too sinful or to virtue and whose fall is due to an error.
1363 wordsRead More - The Evils of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Macbeth The question that I have been given is to evaluate Shakespeare's characterization of Lady Macbeth and to decide on an correct description of her character, as I think Shakespeare intended it to be - is she a cruel, calculating, cold blooded killer; or is she just a confused and distraught lonely woman? Throughout the play, she shows qualities and performs actions that point to both of these possible outcomes, and I, through searching the book and picking up all possible leads (all quotes in Italics), will attempt to decide on which of these Lady Macbeth really is and if possible why she might have been this way. The first scene that Lady Macbeth appears in is Act 1 scene 5. In the beginning of this scene, we are inside a room in Macbeth's castle, and she is reading a letter that we think she has just got from Macbeth. The letter tells her of his victory in battle, and of his meeting with the witches and their predictions.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that lady macbeth appears in act 1 scene 5.
- Explains that she thinks of macbeth as being too soft at heart to do.
- Opines that their keen knife will not see the dunnest smoke of hell.
- Opines that this is a very good line, and it clearly shows how lady macbeth has no ego.
- Opines that this is another question that hangs in the air for a lot of people.
- Describes act 1 scene 6, which is set at the front of act 1.
- Concludes that duncan is such a good king and that he has ben such an iq.
- Opines that the same in one's act and valour as thou art in desire?
- Opines that one who dares to do more is a man.
- Narrates how they would love the babe that milks them, while it was smiling in their face.
- Analyzes how explains that the book is foolproof, and outlines it in detail.
- Narrates how an owl shrieks at the sound of 'hark! - peace!
- Opines that this creature is a good one to use, as it shows her being nervous of.
- Explains that the guards were unable to say amen when they did. this was believed to be a sign.
- Opines that it could mean that she is worried by it and is pushing it to the back.
- Opines that we have seen her as a more normal person with her most evil.
- Opines that since she is no longer a key decision maker, she has nothing left.
- Narrates how act 2 scene 2 was filmed in a very small way.
- Analyzes how she makes it known in act 3 scene 2 that she is pregnant.
- Opines that lady macbeth is the only time in the entire play where she hasn't been a key part of outlining the plans.
- Analyzes how she seems to be unable to get the fact that she assisted in the murder of duncan.
3809 wordsRead More - Defining Macbeth of William Shakespeare's Playopinion essayDefining Macbeth of William Shakespeare's Play A hero is a man who is idealized for possessing superior qualities in any field. A villain is a main evil character and antagonist to the hero. (Collins Shorter Dictionary). This essay will explore whether Macbeth was a villain or not.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that macbeth can be called both a hero and villain.
- Opines, "i dare do all that may become a man."
- Explains that macbeth's murders became easier because he got used to it.
- Analyzes how macbeth shows a lot of bravery, despite knowing he is going to die.
- Opines that the man is saying he will fight until meat has come from his bones.
900 wordsRead More - View of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayView of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play The ' Play Macbeth' gives the audience plenty of opportunities to consider the reasons for the main characters actions. In this essay, I will consider Macbeth as a brave, courageous noble warrior who shows his ambition to become a king, with the cold-blooded murder of king Duncan. However, in doing so, he has upset the natural peaceful condition and cannot hope to succeed. The play begins with the brief appearance of the three witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish king Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated a separate invading army from Norway, which was led by the rebel Macdonald.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how he is so meek and loyal to his kinsman.
- Opines that if you did it, then you were a man in act two, scene 2.
- Analyzes macduff's plan in act four, scene 1 of the play.
- Opines that life is a taleâ€told by an author. there is no meaning in life.
- Analyzes how the roman fool asks him to die on his own sword.
1353 wordsRead More