The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play
analytical Essay
634 words
The 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.” Macbeth creates an alter-ego to help hide the truth. Macbeth becomes a power-hungry, determined man with no emotions, all he cares about is becoming King and making sure that the throne will remain in his family. Macbeth’s determination develops from the three predictions presented to him by the three witches. Macbeth strives to make the predictions true after much persuasion from his wife Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth on the other hand, first appears a strong, evil and forceful woman determined to get what she wants , which is for the predictions to come to pass. As the play progresses we see Lady Macbeth change, she becomes weak, haunted and guilt-ridden by her actions throughout the play. By studying Lady Macbeth’s character we can look at how her strength deteriorates gradually. Lady Macbeth’s first appearance in the play, Act 1 Scene 5, consists of her reading a letter from Macbeth informing her of the three witches and their predictions. Lady Macbeth gives the immediate impression that she is already considering murder, her biggest worry is that Macbeth is too soft-hearted to kill Duncan. She says: “It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way.” This reveals Lady Macbeth’s true desire to kill the King in order to become the Queen. When L... ... middle of paper ... ...at, will these hands ne’er be clean?” What Lady Macbeth says here is ironic, as in Act 2 Scene 2 after Duncan’s murder she told Macbeth to wash his hands, they would be clear with a little water. Lady Macbeth’s language reflects her own and Macbeth’s words about the murders: Duncan, Banquo and Lady Macduff. In this scene we see Lady Macbeth at her weakest, she has become insane with guilt, her past haunts her sleep. Lady Macbeth tried to be strong for Macbeth but only grew weaker as the play progressed. Lady Macbeth told Macbeth to hide his deadly intentions behind welcoming looks, this is something she could do before the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth told her husband to be normal, this was something Lady Macbeth found herself unable to do. “Look like th’innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.”
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.
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- 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 Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayThe Character of Macbeth in Shakespeare's Play Shakespeare uses the Aris Totle tragic pattern in many of his plays and Macbeth is no exception. Using the Aris Totle tragic pattern the audience witness Macbeth's downfall from his height of happiness and power (Hubris) to a low bloodthirsty killer (Nemesis). The Audience of that era and even today love to hate the villian, in this case Macbeth.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the aris totle tragic pattern in many of his plays and macbeth is no exception.
- Analyzes how the audience sees macbeth as a 'brave' and loyal warrior, who had just defeated the nowegians, everyone was celebrating.
- Opines that conversation just made things truelly bad. 'all hail macbeth thane of glams, all hail cawdor,' was the prophecy of which the witches spoke.
- Analyzes how macbeth and his wife hatch a plan to kill! king duncan and become rulers of scotland, which starts with the king going to dunsenain to 'celebrate the victory.
- Analyzes how the audience sees macbeth's soliloquay, unsure of the plan. he is here in double trust, first, as his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed.
- Analyzes how macbeth is unsure, for the judgement would be terrible if he was caught but not only that duncan is his family and his king.
- Analyzes how macbeth is so ambitious that he even sees an imaginary dagger before his eyes, lady macbeth signals that duncan has retired to his chambers.
- Analyzes how macbeth and his wife are now king and queen only one can who suspects anything is banquo for he was there when the prophecies were made.
- Analyzes how the audience believed killing a child or women was evil! for they were innocent and pure. macbeth sees the ghost of banquo in the chair placed for his wife.
- Narrates how macbeth confronts the witches, who give him three visions: 1. a severed armoured head.
- Analyzes how macbeth's curreent state of mind causes him to commit terrible deeds.
- Narrates how macduff joins the english army to defeat macbeth and uses the tree branches of the donalbain forest to disguise the army and with the element of surprise wage war upon dunsenain.
- Explains that macbeth was a sucessful play because he knew what the audience wanted to see which was plays about kings, witchcraft, heroes falling and becoming villians.
- Analyzes how shakespeare knew macbeth was a scottish king in the 13th century and spiced it up.
- Analyzes how macbeth's themes worked well because the elizbethans were blood-thirsty and everyone loves to hate a villian.
- Analyzes how macbeth's power hungry search led to him killing a king, his best friend, women and children, and countless innocents.
- Opines that macbeth was 'evil' and got what was coming to him. some will argue that it was his fate or that the witches "poisoned" his mind.
970 wordsRead More - The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playopinionated essayThe 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.
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.
1549 wordsRead More - The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Modern day society defines tragedy as life’s bitterness and defeat. In the time of Macbeth, tragedy involves a great man from fortunate success falling to utter defeat, a state of chaos, and eventual death. The horrific tragedy of Macbeth captures the audience as they feel pity, sympathy, horror and fear. The supernatural is showcased and deaths are shown throughout the play.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the character of macbeth in william shakespeare's play captures the audience as they feel pity, sympathy, horror and fear.
- Analyzes how macbeth's bloody downfall relieves the audience of its tension, and the tragic hero from his burden.
- Analyzes how macbeth's downfall was a direct result of his character flaws. these hamartias are his greed for power, his ambition and his thirst for killing.
- Analyzes how macbeth, the thane of cawdor, is in touch with both the supernatural and the evil and wants to become king at all costs.
- Analyzes how macbeth's greed to constantly become all-powerful led to his defeat. he challenged that which he could not defeat and saw himself as the superpower.
- Analyzes how macbeth's thirst for killing fuels his need for power and his ability to think logically as the seconds slip away on a clock.
- Analyzes how macbeth's unwise choice of seeking out macduff, his only real energy, led to his death. his hunger for killing people caused a chain of events.
- Analyzes how macbeth's ambition is a snake, it hides stealthy, waiting for its’ pray, and attacks. the actions that he does because of his ambition relate to each other, leading to his untimely death.
- Analyzes how macbeth's reasons for not killing the king were substantially larger than his reasons. his ambition drove him to take drastic measures, and to become the all powerful ruler.
- Analyzes how macbeth's uncontrollable paranoia led him to kill banquo and become haunted by the three witches.
- Analyzes how malcom's false security led to over confidence and not fearing those he should. his downfall comes from his display of over ambition.
- Analyzes how the tragic shakespearean hero macbeth had many tragic flaws that led to the downward spiral into evil. his greed for power, ambition, and desire to kill will be relived for generations to come.
680 wordsRead More - The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playopinionated essayThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Macbeth Macbeth was most likely written in 1606, early in the reign of James I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the English throne in 1603. James was a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under James’s reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright’s close relationship with the sovereign. In focusing on Macbeth, a figure from Scottish history, Shakespeare paid homage to his king’s Scottish lineage. Additionally, the witches’ prophecy that Banquo will found a line of kings is a clear nod to James’ family’s claim to have descended from the historical Banquo.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that gum should be brushed up and held with gum, or it might be curled all over.
- Analyzes how james 1st plays in honour of his new king, and this is no truer than james 1.
- Explains that because of the high level of plays, he wrote his name.
- Explains that it was the only way for them to be educated in this way.
- Opines that if they were to do a shakespeare play in the future, they would do it.
- Opines that when writing their own play, they would try to bear the actors that they had at hand.
- Opines that it is interesting to see that in the play there is a clear message.
- Analyzes how the style of the play and the way isold’s play is clear.
- Describes the genres of shakespeare's style, so that parts of his style can be seen in plays and books.
- Analyzes how one person, or touch them as if they are a character in the play.
- Explains that henry v's "wooden o" is referred to as "this wooden o".
- Explains how a small flat cap like beret with narrow brim continued to be worn by women.
- Opines that macbeth was clever enough to put on a production.
2232 wordsRead More - The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playopinionated essayThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Macbeth is a man, influenced by supernatural powers, a manipulative
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the character of macbeth in william shakespeare's play. he is influenced by supernatural powers and manipulative.
- Opines that the rain and storm is a fore - taste of the storm.
- Describes the good and bad aspects of meeting macbeth on the heath.
- Opines that he is one of the most vivid memories, and we can see him in the same.
- Opines that duncan, and better yet, would he have had a future as king at all? if you refer back to the text, the witches appear.
943 wordsRead More - The Character of Lady Macbeth by William Shakespeareopinionated 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 - Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Playopinionated essayMacbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Our first impressions of Macbeth are that he is a hero, he is brave and fearless, and although we get this impression we also get the feeling that he is ruthless. Macbeth has just been in battle against "The merciless Macdonwald" and a Captain is talking about how Macbeth and his fellow Captain, Banquo, performed in battle. " Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps, and fix his head upon our battlements. " While Macbeth is in battle the Thane of Cawdor is found to be a traitor and executed. The King, Duncan, hears of Macbeth's bravery and grants him the Thane's title.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that macbeth is not a traitor and that he is brave.
- Questions the idea of fate and the role with which it has in the play.
- Opines that sinel's death made them thane of glamis, but how of cawdor?
- Describes the prophecies of the woman.
- Analyzes how the battle in persuading duncan to kill him can be king if he knows.
- Opines that evil is owed in life to her, as she believes.
- Opines that he is happy to dismiss the idea of being king and wants to let what
- Opines that the moral person seems to know what is right and what's not.
- Opines that "i dare do all that may become a man."
- Analyzes how when a man doesn't want to do anything, he feels like making his own choices.
- Opines that to be the same in one's own act and valour, as thou art in desire?
- Opines that if she were a man then she would be no coward.
- Opines that macbeth lies in order for him to be voted king.
- Explains that the witches and lady macbeth are able to sway him to evil.
- Opines that when he does this it is only him who chooses to lose it.
- Opines that they would kill duncan. they would do all that may become a man who dares do.
- Opines that the solution to the war was set out to all be.
2416 wordsRead More - The Character and Role of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Macbeth My coursework is about the role of lady Macbeth in the banquet scene and how she is presented throughout Act 1 and 2 At the start of act 1 we learn that Macbeth and lady Macbeth are in a very close relationship as we are told that they stay in touch by letters. It was in a letter that we get are first impression of just how important she is to him as he tells her all about what has happened and how he is to become king of Scotland. He tells her that the king is coming to their castle tonight and to prepare for him coming.
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how macbeth and lady macbeth are in act 1.
- Opines that she does this to test macbeth and how he will react to the situation.
- Welcomes guests and sits at a table with the king and the lords.
- Analyzes how she appears to be impatient and anxious for him to carry on and do the job.
- Analyzes how the end of act 3 scene 4 signifies that she is making.
- Analyzes how macbeth at the end say 'we are yet but young in deeds' and he says "we"
- Opines that in acts 1 and 2, it was a team work but now she can't.
- Analyzes how scene 5 shows how powerful she really is by the way she makes a plan and tells him to leave it to her.
- Analyzes how the ghost appears and how she calms the situation by making it sound as if he is always like this.
731 wordsRead More - Defining Macbeth of William Shakespeare's Playopinionated 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