compare the way two different literary characters are disturbed and the effect of their contextual audience on this aspect of their character

In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as being a 'noble' and obedient subject as he is introduced to us after his recent victory for the king. However on his journey home from battle he happens upon three witches who's prophecies both intrigue and unnerve him with their beguiling promises of power ' thou shalt be king hereafter!'. His attitude towards these predictions although initially apprehensive 'why do you start and seem to fear?' soon transform into longing 'he seems rapt withal' this would have considered irrational behaviour to the Jacobean audience at the time who treated the supernatural with fear and suspicion. Macbeth's natural inclination to evade the witches is thwarted by his overruling desire for power and position ' stay,you imperfect speakers tell me more', this demonstrates his eagerness for power, which is an indication that although he is a hero there are latent flaws in his character such as his ambition which he allows to dictate his actions. His reactions contrast with Banqou 's can the devil speak true' which epitomises the Jacobean attitudes at the time and serves to further highlight the irrationality of Macbeth’s response.

Contradictorily, In the beginning of sir author Conan Doyle's novel Sherlock is described to be 'the most perfect reasoning and observing machine the world has ever seen' , his comparison to a machine and his abhorrence to emotions gives us the distinct impression of a 'cold' and calculating character. However in direct contrast to this Watson provides us with a description of his mood swings ' alternating between cocaine and ambition' this as well his initial behaviour 'pacing the room swiftly, eagerly' challenges this previous impression of his 'perfection' with his v...

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...ntal unbalance is made clear to the audience by his impatience for the battle to begin, ‘creeps in this petty pace from day today’ the use of personification by the word ‘creeps’ suggests Macbeth's feels that each minute is tedious and eternal now that he is devoid of reasons to live it. Furthermore this impression is strengthened by his later self-exclaimed longing for death ,’Out,out brief candle’ which signifies to the audience his final acknowledgement of all he has done in his ambition fuelled endeavour for power and his subsequent rendition of life being nought ‘but a walking shadow’ is used to imply that he now believes that life is transient and inconsequential and that all his sacrifices, such as his afterlife, where for something of little significance. To the contextual audience this would represent his final descent into a irrefutably disturbed character