(1)Whatdoesthestorytalkabout?(atleast5fulllines)
Macbethwastheking'srelative,hegotarewardfromkingbecausehedefeatedalliedOneday, threewitchescametomeetMacbeth,andtellhimtheprophecies.WhenMacbethwasthinking aboutthepropheciesistrueornot,suddenly,thefirstprophecycametrue.Macbethgraduallytrust whatthreewitchessaid,andleadhimhasanappetencytobecomeanewking.AfterLadyMacbeth knewthetruth,shestimulatedMacbethtokilltheking.Macbethwasworriedaboutwhathesawin thephantomHowever,MacbethstilldecidedtokillthekingHesuccessfullykilledtheking,and thenhebecameanewkinginScotland.Thesecondprophecybecamethetruth.Macbethstarted worriedaboutthethirdprophecy.ThethirdprophecywasimplythatBanquowoulddeprivehis power,whichmadehimsuspiciousInaddition,MacbethsawtheBanquo'sspiritinthefeast,which madehimgotcrazy.Macbethcannotunderthepressure...showmorecontent...
Inthestory,itisimplythatwitchesisthemostevilpersonintheworld.Ifthreewitchesdidnottell thepropheciestoMacbeth,Macbethwillnotkillthekingorbecametoaviolentperson.Maybe someofthereadersdidnotnoticeaboutthethreewitchesaretheinstigators.Inthemiddleage, clergywouldburythegirlwhohassuspectedofbeingwitchSomeofthemarenotarealwitch Theyjustmadealittlemistake,thenpeoplestartedfalselyaccusedshewasawitch.Actuallythey areinnocent.IthinkWilliamShakespearecannotcreatewitchestoacttheevilpersoninthisplay.It isakindofFemale
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InWilliamShakespeare'sMacbeth,themaincharacter,Macbeth,isabraveandloyalsubjecttothe KingofScotland,butastheplayprogresses,hischaracterbeginstochangedrastically.Eviland unnaturalpowers,aswellashisownpassiontobecomeking,takeoverhisbetterhalfand eventuallyleadtohisdownfall.Thethreemainfactorsthatintertwinewithoneanotherthat contributetoMacbeth'stragicendarethepropheciestoldbythethreewitches,LadyMacbeth's influence,andfinally,Macbeth'sexcessivepassionandambitionwhichdrovehisdesiretobecome kingtotheutmostextreme.Theprophecytoldbythethreewitcheswaswhattriggerstheother factorsthatcontributetoMacbethsdownfallInthefirstact,thewitchesshowmorecontent LadyMacbethprovidesaschemeforMacbethtoassassinatetheKing.Sheismanipulativeand persuasiveincorruptingMacbethsjudgement."Whatbeastwas'tthenthatyoubreakthisenterprise tome?Whenyoudurstdoit,thenyouwereaman;Andtobemorethanwhatyouwere,youwould besomuchmoretheman."(ActI.Sc.VII)Inthisquote,LadyMacbethisagitatingMacbethby sayingheisnotamanifhedoesnotdowhathesaysheisgoingtodo,whichistomurdertheking ofcourse.
ThisangersMacbethandenableshimtofollowLadyMacbeth'sschemetokilltheKingeasier. Macbeth'sfirstmurderisdefinitelyatryingexperienceforhim.However,astheplayprogresses, killingseemseasyandtheonlysolutiontomaintainhisreignofthepeopleofScotlandMacbeth becomesincreasinglyambitiousastheplaygoeson.
ThewitchespropheciesandLadyMacbeth'sinfluenceintensifieshisambitionanddrivesMacbeth toobtainandmaintainhistitleofScotlandbywhatevermeans,evenmurderinghisbestfriend, Banquo."Uponmyheadtheyplacedafruitlesscrown,...nosonofminesucceeding.If'tbeso,for Banquo'sissuehaveIfiledmymind;ForthemthegraciousDuncanIhavemurder'd;...Tomake themkings,theseedofBanquokings!(ActIII.sc.I)AtthispointMacbeth'spassionbecomesmore andmoreextremetothepointwherenoonestandsinhiswayHisgreed,violence,andhungerfor powerdrasticallydeclineshis
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WhoisultimatelyresponsibleforthetragedyofMacbeth?
ItcouldbesaidthatMacbeth´sstriveforpoweraffectseveryaspectofhislife,andthismotivation eventuallyleadstohisdemise.Manydifferentfactorsplayapivotalroleindecidinghisill–fated futureWithhiswife´scajoling,andthethreewitches´foretellingofhisfuture,Macbeth,willstopat nothingtogainpositionasKingofScotland.
ItcouldbesaidthatLadyMacbethisresponsibleShebullieshim,emotionallyblackmailshimand knowsheismorallysensitivesohemustbepushed.Shemockshisbraveryandknowsheisa warriorandwillbeinsulted.WhenMacbethishavingdoubtsshesays:
'Whenyoudurstdoit,thenyouwereaman; Andtobemorethanwhatshowmorecontent Heisdriventothemurderbecauseofthethoughtofbeingking.Itistheambitioninhismindthatis crucial.
Thethreewitches,or"weirdsisters"aretheyarereferredtothroughouttheplay,itcouldbesaidthat theyaretheinstrumentsofmalevolentforces,whichseektoleadmenawayfromgoodnessAs representationsofmischiefandevil,theyareoftenaccusedofbeingresponsibleforMacbeth's destructionandthemurderofmanyinnocents.However,whenfirstintroducedinActI,SceneI, theyseemtoberidiculouslyclichéthattheycouldevenbesaidtobecomicalThisishowthey appeartousnow,inthisdayandage,astheynolongercreatesignificantfearinoursociety.In Shakespeare'stimehowever,theaudiencewouldhavebeenreallyafraid.Couldsuchcharactersof reallybeenresponsibleforthetragedyofMacbeth.
Shakespearepromptstheaudiencetoponderwhetherthewitchesarecrazedhagswhoareexcluded fromsocietywhomonlyspeakwhattheyknoworaretheymanipulative.Itcomesapparentthatthey cantellthefuturewhenoneofthewitchessays
Belion–mettled,proud,andtakenocare Whochafes,whofrets,orwhereconspirersare; Macbethshallnevervanquishedbe,until GreatBirnamWoodtohighDunsaineHill
ActIV,SceneI
ThisofcoursebeingapredictionoftheattackfromEngland.Thiswasmisleadinginformation becausetheytellMacbeththattheonly
Shallcomeagainsthim"
WilliamShakespeare'sMacbethasaTragedy
Whatisatragedy?ThedictionarystatesthatinTheatreLiteratureatragicplayorstoryisaserious play,withatragictheme,ofteninvolvingaheroicstruggleandthedownfallofthemaincharacter. ThisdescriptionofatragedymatchesthestoryofMacbethsuperblyThroughouttheplayMacbeth strugglestokeepagriponhislife,hebecomesparanoidandinsecureastheplayprogresses.
ItallbeginswhenMacbethandBanquomeetthethreewitchesandtheybothfindouttheirfutures Oncethewitcheshavefinishedtheirprophecies,Macbethisoblivioustoeverythinggoingon aroundhim,thisisoneofthemainreasonsforhisdownfall.Macbethshowmorecontent
InthemorningwhenMacduffcomestospeaktoKingDuncan,heenterstheKingsroomonlyto findhimdead,herunsoutshouting;
"Ohorror,horror,horror, Tonguenorheartcanconceive,nornamethee"
MacbeththengoestochecktoseeifMacduffiscorrectandfindstheservantsjustwakingupwith bloodallovertheirfacesandpersonaldaggers,inamomentof'anger'Macbethslaysbothofthe servants,thisishisfirstmistake,bykillingtheservantsitmakestheotherpeopleinthecastle wonderandquestionwhyhediditandmanybecomesuspiciousthatMacbethhassomethingto hide.WeknowthatMacbethkilledtheservantsbecauseheknewthattheywouldblameitonhim notbecausehewasangeredbywhathappenedandbecausehecaredfortheKing.
"O,yetIdonotrepentmeofmyfury
ThatIdidkillthem"
TheonlytwopeoplewhoaretrulysuspiciousandfrightenedofMacbethafterthisdeedisdone,are theKingssons,MalcomandDonaldbain,wholaterfleeScotlandshiftingsomeofthesuspicionoff ofMacbethandontotothemselves
Nowwithtwooftheprophesies,trueandnowrealitynotjustchance,Macbethbecomesevenmore troubledandparanoidaboutthepeoplearoundEspeciallyBanquo,asthewitchespromisedBanquo that;
"LesserthanMacbeth,andgreater...
Thoushaltgetkings,thoughthoubenone"
RevisedInClassEssayonTheTragedyofMacbeth
Intheplay,TheTragedyofMacbethbyWilliamShakespeare,Macbethisaverystrongmaninthe throughouttheplaybutduetosomeofhisdecisionsintheplay,manyactionsbackfireonMacbeth. Thoughtheplay,MacbethwantstobecomeKingandtriestodoanythinghecantobecometheman thatwillruleeveryoneHefightsinbattleswhichproveshisnoblenessUnfortunately,thereisa downfallinthestoryinwhichwouldbewhenMacbethdoesn'tprovehisfortune.Macbethmeets withthreewitches.Thewitchestellhim,"AllhailMacbeth!Hailtothee,thaneofGlamis,thaneof Cawdor,thatshaltbeKinghereafter!(I348–50)"ThewitchestellMacbeththathewillbeThaneof CawdorandKing
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Theportrayalofthedownfallofanopulentandwelllikedindividualisoftenreferredtoasa tragedy,butisthisdownfallalwaysatragiceventorcanitbejustifiable?Thisessaywillnowdefine theAristoteleanideaofplotstructureFurthermoreitwillanalyseanddiscussif"TheTragedieof Macbeth"appliestosaidplotstructure.
Towriteandperformtragediesdatesbacktoshortlybefore500BCIttookplaceattheannual GreatDionysia,adramaticfestivalthepeopleofAthensorganisedinhonouroftheGreekgod Dionysus.ThegreatpoetsofAncientGreececompetedagainsteachother,tryingtowritethemost devastatingtragedy,buthowdoesonedothat?
According...showmorecontent...
"Ihaueseeneherrisefromherbed,throwherNight–Gownvpponher,vnlockeherClosset,take foorthpaper,foldeit,writevpon't,readit,afterwardsSealeit,andagainereturnetobed;yetallthis whileinamostfastsleepe"(ActusQuintus,ScenaPrima).HereitisrevealedthatLadyMacbethis walkinginhersleep,andasadoctorandagentlewomanexchangeinformation,itisalsorevealed thatLadyMacbethrepeatedlywashesherhands,whichcanbeseenasanacttryingtoridherselfof thebloodonherhands,namelythebloodofKingDuncan,butalsoofBanquoandMacduffe's family,forifitwasn'tforherpersuadingherhusbandtokilltheking,hewouldnothavehadtokill thethreatshefacedwhilstonthethrone.ThesethingshaunttheLadysomuchthatintheend,sheis driventomadnessandcommitssuicide,earningthepityofthe
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Accordingtotheclassicalview,tragedyshouldarousefeelingsofpityandfearintheaudience. DoesMacbethdothis?
Tragedyhasmostdefinitelyinfluencedtheviewer'sthoughtsonMacbethwithinthisplay.In Shakespeare'sMacbeth,theaudienceseesagradualbreakdowninthecharacterofMacbethhimself, duetothetragiceventsthatunfoldduringtheplay.Thishasadirecteffectontheaudience'sviews andthoughtsofMacbeth,thuscreatingpityandfearwithintheaudience.Macbeth,beingamanand ahumanbeinghimself,isin–clinedtosomeformsoftemptation,towhichmanhimselfhasquite oftensuccumbed.TheguiltthatMac–bethexperiencesafterthedeathofhisbelovedKingDuncan alsoexperiencedineveryhuman'sshowmorecontent
BySinel'sdeathIknowIamThaneofClamisButhowofCawdor?ThethaneofCawdorlives,A prosperousgentleman;andtobekingStandsnotwithintheprospectofbelief" Macbeth[Iiii70–74]
TheaudienceseeshowMacbethisintroducedintotakingoverthethroneofhisgreatfriendDuncan. Thisunleashespityandfearwithintheaudience,becausetheyfeltforamansuccumbingto grievoustemptation.TheeventsinwhichtookplaceafterthisincreaseourpityofMacbeth.The audienceseesagrown,nobleandmightyofficerdegradedintoapoolofimmenseguilt
Macbethwas,shortlyafterthemurderingincident,driveninsanebytheimmenseguiltproducedby hiswitheredconscienceThedaggerthatwasusedinthekillingofKingDuncanhauntedhimbefore themurdertookplace.Thistragedyintheplaygivesusbothfearofwheretheswordcamefromand pityforMacbeth'scharacterthathaddegradedtosuchapointthathehasbecomeparanoid.
"IsthisadaggerwhichIseebeforeme,Thehandletowardmyhand?Come,letmeclutchthee.I havetheenot,andyetIseetheestillArtthounot,fatalvision,sensibleTofeelingastosight?Orart thoubutAdaggerofmind,afalsecreation,Proceedingfromtheheat–oppressedbrain?" [II.i.33–39]
TheeventsbeforethemurderofDuncan,whichincludeMacbeth'sfearofkillingDuncan,thetiming at–whichitwilltakeplace;allofwhichthesethingsmadetheaudiencefearfulMacbethseemed nervousina
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Theplay,TheTragedyofMacbeth,writtenbyWilliamShakespeare,isbasedonatruestory.This storyisverysimilartothereal11thcenturyScottishking,MacBethadmacFindláich,orMacbeth asit'stranslatedinEnglish.
ThehistoryofMacbethstartswhentheclanshadbeenatwarwitheachotherforhundredsofyears VikingwereattackingScotlandandin1018,KingMalcolmofScotia,kingoftheScotsandPicts tooktheAnglesofLothianintotheBattleofCarham.Hewasthenconsideredthemostpowerful maninScotlandWhenthekingdiedwithoutissue,Duncan,Malcolm'sgrandson,becamethenext inlinethroughmarriage.
Macbethdecidedhewantedtobeking,andhebelievedthathedeservedtobekindwhenhekilled Duncanin
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AmbitionforgreatpowerleadstothedownfallofLadyMacbethandMacbeth.Contributingtothe downfallanddemiseofMacbeth,threesinisterwitchesplantofoilMacbeththroughtellinghim propheciesofhisfuture.But,throughthefreewillofLadyMacbethandMacbeththeypavedtheir ownroadtodestruction.LadyMacbethisawomanwhoisnotmentallystrongenoughtocommita murderbutismentallycapableofpersuadingsomeoneintocommittingthecrimeforherMacbeth isgullibleatfirstjudgment,butsoonbecameamanonamurderousrampagetokeephistitleasking ofScotland.StartingwithmurderingKingDuncantoBirnamWoodadvancingtoDunsinane,Lady MacbethandMacbethinitiateMacbeth'sdownfall
Startingwiththe...showmorecontent...
Sheprovesthatshecanbethemastermindbehindaplanbutcannotdothedirtyworkherself. FollowingKingDuncan'sdeathisthedeathofBanquo."Thoushaltgetkings,thoughthoubenone" (Shakespeare1.3.67),saysWitchestoBanquo,revealsBanquowillnotbeking,buthewillfather thefuturekingsofScotlandBanquoaccompaniedMacbethastheybothreceivedtheirprophecies fromthewitches.Macbeth,knowingBanquoknowsthesameinformation,soonplanstomurder Banquoduringhiscrowning.Insceneone,actthreeofTheTragedyofMacbeth;Macbethstartsto makehisowndecisionsastowhatheshoulddotokeephistitleasKingofScotland.
SoonMacbethsuccumbstoevilandhisinabilitytorecoverhislostinnocence.Hebeginstocare lessaboutlifeitself,consideringthefacthehasalreadydamnedhimselftohellbymurderingKing Duncan.NeitherMacbethnorLadyMacbethcanenjoytheirtimeasrulerbecauseoftheirevil doings.Macbethsoontakesmattersintohisownhandsandgoestothefurthestextenttokeephis titleHeapproachesthewitcheswithademandingattitudecommandingthemtotellhimmoreofhis future."Hownow,yousecret,black,andmidnighthags!/Whatis'tyoudo?"(Shakespeare4.1.47–48),saysMacbethtoWitches,symbolizestheshiftinMacbeth'sattitude.ItshowsMacbethhas takencontrolinthedecisionshemakesastoapproachingtheWitchestolearnmoreofhisfate,and ifpossibletriesto
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ThetragedyofMacBethhasadisappointingending,thatruinsthewholefilmandpoem.Ithasa greatstorylineuntiltheend.IthypesbutthisbigendingaboutthemaincharacterMacBethdyingto someonewhois"notbornfromawomen"andthathewilldiewhentheforestmovesintohiscastle. Attheend,theauthorrevealsthatallhemeantwasthattheforestwasgoingtogetchoppeddown bytheenemy'sarmyandbeusedascovertosneakintothecastleMacBethstillknowhecanonly bekilledbysomeonewhois"notbornfromawomen"sowhenhegetsconfrontedmyMacDuff,he doesn'tfeelthreateneduntilhefindsouthewasbornthroughaCsectionwhichmakehimnotborn fromawomenWhichleadstohimgivingupandjustletsMacDuff
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"TheTragedyofMacbeth,writtenbyWilliamShakespearein1604,portrayswomeninavarietyof strengths.InElizabethansociety,womenwereconsideredthe'weakersex'butinmanyofhisplays Shakespeareappearstoquestionthispatriarchalsociety.Shakespearewrote'Macbeth'intendingto flatterKingJamesI,therulerinthisera.JamesIhadverystrongopinionsregardingwomenand, particularly,witchesHesawWomenasinferiorandexpectedthemtobehousewivesandmothers Shakespeareportraysthewitchesasevil,worthlessandcompletelymad.Thisfitsintotheviewof witchesinShakespeare'stimethattheywerepoor,elderlywomenwhodidn'tfitintosociety.
MacbethwasalsowrittentopersuadeKingJamesItoreopentheshowmorecontent
Witch–huntswerepopularandmanyexecutionstookplace.ThiswasbecauseKingJamesI consideredhimselfanexpertonwitchcraftandthereforeShakespeareportraysthewitchedassub–standardhumanandmysteriousinordertowinfavourwiththeking.Whenpractisingwitchcraft,the witchesappeartobestrongandaggressive.However,it'ssuggestedthattheyhavetomeettogether tobepowerfulandstrong:
"Whenshallwethreemeetagaininthunder,lightningorinrain?"
Thisalsoshowspatheticfallacyasitinsinuatesthatthewitchesareevil.Badweathersuchas thunder,lightningandrainisassociatedwithunhappinessor,inthecaseofthewitches,evilThe factthattheyhavetomeetindicatesthatthewitchesareweakindividualsandrelyononeanother forstrength.Thisagreeswithbeliefsofthetimethatwitcheswerepoorandelderly.InPolanksi's film'TheTragedyofMacbeth',thewitchedfirstappearonadesertedbeachatdawnTheybury itemssuchasaseveredhand,whichcreatesamysteriousatmospherearoundthem.Thisis emphasisedbythescreechingofthegulls,theunpleasantmusicandthefog.Furthermore,the rhythmandversecoupletscausethewitchestosoundcompletelyinsanethismakesthemseem weak.Italsomakestheirspeechsoundlikeacharmorspell.Thewitches'abilitytoforetellthe futureillustratesthemassupernaturalTheirpropheciessettheballrollingandcauseMacbethand Lady
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MacbethMacbethisatragedywritteninthe17thcenturythatshowswhatthedesireforpowercan dotoaman.Macbethisexpressedasbeingthevillain.But,Macbethisinfactatragichero,doomed byfatefromthebeginningintothemadnessheputhimselfin.Ifitnotbeenformeetingthewitches andpersuasionofhiswife,theplaywouldhavehadaverydifferentending.Likeeverytragichero, MacbethsufferedfromaflawInhiscase,hisflawwashisstrongambition,combinedwithathirst forpower.Ambitionaloneisnotabadtrait,butwhenaddedwithalustforpower,thisambitioncan becomedangerous.AtthebeginningMacbethwasseenasbraveMacbethandshownasaloyaland bravesolideronthebattlefieldThatambitionalwaysresidedwithinhimbutdidnotcausea problemuntiltheprophecywasmadebythewitches.Itwasthemomentthatthewitchesfirstcast theprophecyoverMacbeththatsealedhisfateforever.Withoutthewitchesforetellinghisriseto powerasThaneofCawdorandasthefuturekingofScotland,theideawouldhavenevercameto him.Hewasamodestcharacter.OncethewitchesputthosethoughtsinMacbeth'smind,they startedtobotherhimashekeptthinkingaboutitandtheideasoonconsumedhimHedidnot believewhattheysaid,oncehewasgrantedthetitleThaneofCawdor,hestartedtoconsiderthatit couldpossiblybetrue.Thereisaobviousdifferenceinhisattitudeabouttheprophecybeforeand
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WilliamShakespeareisthenotedauthorofavastarrayofplays,rangingfromcomediestohistories totragedies.PerhapsoneofhismostfamousinthetragedygenreisMacbeth.ThoughShakespeare canbeconsideredasascholarinthesensethathewasbotharenownedandprolificplaywright, lookbackafewhundredyearstofindAristotle,oneofthemostfamousscholarsandphilosophers ofalltimeInhistreatisetitledPoetics,hedefendspoetryagainstcriticismaswellassetsstandards fortragediesin"TheNatureofTragedy,"asectionofthePoetics.IsMacbethfittobe includedinthetragedygenreaccordingtothestandardssetbyAristotle?
AccordingtoAristotle,atragedyis"animitationofanaction...showmorecontent...
NowMacbethhastoacceptthatfactthathewillyield,andindoingso,dies.Anotherpartoftheplot istheSceneofSuffering,whichis"adestructiveorpainfulaction."Inthecaseof Macbeth,theSceneofSufferingcouldbethebloodymurderofDuncanbyMacbeth.
Asstatedin"TheNatureofTragedy,"thechangeinfortuneshouldbefromgoodtobad ratherthanfrombadtogood.AlthoughthesequenceofeventsthatoccurthroughoutMacbethmay notappeartodocumentachangeinfortunefromgoodtobad,theyallconstituteofachange becauseitshowsMacbeth'smoraldownfall.Also,accordingtoAristotle,themisfortuneshouldbe broughtbythecharacter'sownerrororfrailtyInthecaseofMacbeth,thefrailtythatbringsabout hismisfortuneandeventualdestructionisultimatelyambition.
AnotherimportantaspectofatragedyischaracterInhisPoetics,Aristotlesaysthat"firstand mostimportant,itmustbegood."Macbeth'scharacterinMacbethisnotexactlytheportrayal ofanidealman,butheisnottheworstmaneither.Hemayappeartobewickedandcorrupt throughouttheplay,butheisactuallyportrayedasarelativelygoodmaninthebeginningofthe play.Atthestartoftheplay,hepossessesvalorandbraveryinthewarandDuncanconsidershimto behonorable"WhathehathlostnobleMacbethhathwon"
Tragedy:aplaydealingwithtragiceventsandhavinganunhappyending,especiallyoneconcerning thedownfallofthemaincharacter.Astoryorplaycanachievethetitleofatragedythroughfluent andconsistentheartbreakingandmisfortunateoccurrences.Forexample,inWilliamShakespeare's tragedyMacbeth,themaincharacterisfacedwithanabundantamountofexperiencesthatcanbe classifiedastragic,andhistragedyiscausedbyonemainfactorDespitetheactionsmadebyLady MacbethandthethreewitchestopersuadeMacbeth'sownconscienceandthoughts,Macbeth himselfisresponsibleforhisowntragedyduetohisambitiousnatureandlustforpowerwhich causedhimtoconductactionsthatultimatelyledtohisdownfallItmayseemasthoughthethree witchesareresponsibleforMacbeth'stragedy;however,alleventsthatledtoMacbeth'sdeathwere causedbytheactionsthatMacbethcarriedouthimself,outofpureambition.Macbethhasheardand believedthepropheciesthatweretoldbythewitcheswithoutasingledoubt.However,theyprovide himwithonlyhalf–truths,andforthemostpart,excludemajordetailsandspeakinriddleliketones. Macbethacceptsallthatthewitchestellhim,eventhoughheknowstheyarecreaturesthatserve evil.Thewitcheslurehimonwiththeir...showmorecontent...
"Hark!Ilaidtheirdaggersready/Hecouldnotmiss'em/Hadhenotresembled/Myfatherasheslept, Ihaddone't/...Myhusband/...Ihavedonethedeed.Didstthounothearanoise?"(II.II.14–18).The initialplanwasforLadyMacbethtocarryoutthemurderbutthecombinationofMacbeth'slustfor powerandambitioncausedhimtodisregardtheirplanandmurderDuncanhimselfAfterall, MacbethwastheonewhomurderedDuncan,notLadyMacbeth,whichiswhyMacbethisatfault forthe
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The'TragedyofMacbeth'(alsoknownas'Macbeth')isaplaywrittenbyWilliamShakespeareandit wasfirstperformedin1606.Thisplaypresentsplentyofthemesthroughtheactionanddialogue throughouttheplay.Althoughtheplayisuniversallyandmostcommonlyreferredtoasthedark tragedypresentedbyShakespeare.Themostcommonthemesthatwereintroducedtotheaudience tendtobefemininityversusmasculinity,prideandhonor,theroleofsupernatural,temptationand evilandalotmore.IntheplayMacbeth,thereweremanyinterestingsectionsthatcouldbe consideredastheinvolvementofthesupernaturalmakingitanintegralpartofthestructureofthe plotShakespeare'sdarkthemeswhichincludeguilt,theshowmorecontent
Thewords"fairisfoulandfoulisfair"(1.1.12–13)wereoverusedwords,whichholdsasignificant valueintheplotandemotionsconveyedtoitthroughouttheplay.Thisquoteshowstheaudiencethe evilwithinthewitches.Theevilintheplayissubjectivelythemostrelevantthemeineverysceneof theplay.AnexamplethatshowedevilwithinthewitchesiswhenladyMacbethisaskingtheevil spirittomakeherlessfeminine"Come,yourspirits/Thattendonmortalthoughts,unsexmehere"( I.V.30–31).Anotherexampleofthewitchespromotingevilearlierintheplay,iswhenthethree weirdsisterstellMacbeththathewilleventuallybethekingofScotland.Theinformationthatthe witchesgaveMacbethwereoneofthereasonsMacbethcommittedthecrimeandmurderedthe king.Afterall,inthe'TragedyofMacbeth',thewitchesplayanimportantroleincontributingthe darkandevilaspectsoftheplay
Anotherimportantelementofsupernaturalthatwasintroducedtotheaudienceintheplayisthe floatingdaggerItisaveryimportantthemebecauseitshowsthecharactersthoughtsandambitions throughouttheplay.Intheplay,Macbethstartshallucinatingafterhehadcommittedthemurderof bothKingDuncanandBanquo.Inacttwo,scenetwo,thecharacter,Macbeth,hasavery
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Accordingtotheclassicalview,tragedyshouldarousefeelingsofpityandfearintheaudience. DoesMacbethdothis?
Tragedyhasmostdefinitelyinfluencedtheviewer'sthoughtsonMacbethwithinthisplay.In Shakespeare'sMacbeth,theaudienceseesagradualbreakdowninthecharacterofMacbethhimself, duetothetragiceventsthatunfoldduringtheplay.Thishasadirecteffectontheaudience'sviews andthoughtsofMacbeth,thuscreatingpityandfearwithintheaudience.Macbeth,beingamanand ahumanbeinghimself,isin–clinedtosomeformsoftemptation,towhichmanhimselfhasquite oftensuccumbed.TheguiltthatMac–bethexperiencesafterthedeathofhisbelovedKingDuncan alsoexperiencedineveryhuman'slife,showmorecontent
TheeventsinwhichtookplaceafterthisincreaseourpityofMacbeth.Theaudienceseesagrown, nobleandmightyofficerdegradedintoapoolofimmenseguilt.
Macbethwas,shortlyafterthemurderingincident,driveninsanebytheimmenseguiltproducedby hiswitheredconscience.ThedaggerthatwasusedinthekillingofKingDuncanhauntedhimbefore themurdertookplace.Thistragedyintheplaygivesusbothfearofwheretheswordcamefromand pityforMacbeth'scharacterthathaddegradedtosuchapointthathehasbecomeparanoid.
"IsthisadaggerwhichIseebeforeme,Thehandletowardmyhand?Come,letmeclutch thee.Ihavetheenot,andyetIseetheestill.Artthounot,fatalvision,sensibleTofeelingasto sight?OrartthoubutAdaggerofmind,afalsecreation,Proceedingfromtheheat–oppressedbrain?
TheeventsbeforethemurderofDuncan,whichincludeMacbeth'sfearofkillingDuncan,thetiming at–whichitwilltakeplace;allofwhichthesethingsmadetheaudiencefearfulMacbethseemed nervousinaway,forhelovedhiskingandwoulddoanythinginhisstrengthtoprotecthimandhis family:
"Theserviceandloyalty...yourthroneandstate,childrenandservants,Whichdobutwhat theyshouldbydoingeverythingSafetowardyourloveandhon–our" Macbeth[I.iv.22–27]
MacbethknewthatDuncanwasakindman,andDuncanthoughtthatotherswerelikehim(asnoble and
ThroughoutthistragicplaybyShakespeare,Macbethisfacedwiththequestionoffateorfreewill. Whilefateisaforceorpowerthatpredeterminesevents,freewillistheabilitytodecideactions accordingtooneself(Merriam–WebsterDictionary)Throughouttheplay,Macbeth'schoiceswere influencedbymanyothercharacterswhichinturnalterhisfuture.Intheopeningoftheplay,there werethe3witcheswhosparkedhisinitialinteresttobecomeKing.ThencameLadyMacbethwho, bytellinghimheropinionandpersuadinghim,gavehimtheideatokillKingDuncanButinthe enditwashisownambitionwhichresultedinhisdeath,becauseastheplayprogressedMacbeth's charactertookadrasticturnfromgoodtoevil.EventhoughthewitchesandLadyMacbethalso playedagreatroleinhisdecisions,theydidn'tforcehimtocommitanyofthecrimes,andso ultimatelyitwashisownchoicesthatledtohisdownfall.
ThewitchesweretheveryfirstfactorinMacbeth'sprogressiontobecomingapowerhungryand bloodthirstycharacter.Theirspeechwasalwayslacedwithahintoftruthbutmostlyfalsehopeas theywerecreaturesofthesupernaturalTheirhalfpropheciesplayedMacbethlikeapuppet, constantlytryingtolivebytheirwords,thoughtheywerejustillusionstomakehislifelookgood, throughamirageofcarefullyplannedschemesLookingbackattheopeningoftheplay,Macbeth wasportrayedas"brave",ashe,Banquoandhisarmyhadjustwona ...Getmorecontent...
AfterreadingTheTragedyofMacbeth,there'salotIcansayaboutthisstory.Thisstorywasfilled withsomuchdeath!Death!Death!AndevenmoreDeath!Thisstorywaslikearollercoaster,it startsoffasokay,thenit'sdownhillfromthere.Ihonestlyhavetosaythestyleofthisstoryhadmy confuseditwasmakingmybrainhurt,butalongthewayIstartedtogetabetterunderstandingof thestoryandbrainstartedtohurtalittlelessAlongtheway,manyquestionsstartedtocirculate,I startedtothinkhowmanipulativeLadyMacbeth
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MacbethistheleadingcharacterofShakespeare'sTheTragedyofMacbeth,inwhichhestrugglesto dealwiththeconsequencesofhisactions.IsheaTragicHero?Hisbrutalactionsmakeitvery questionable,butyes,MacbethisaHeroinhisownTragedyTherearepositiveconnotationsto beingatragichero,thefirstbeingthatinordertobeone,thecharactermusthaveoneofthestarring roles.ItisobviousthatMacbethhasaleadingpartintheplay,sincenotonlydoesitrevolvearound him,butalsothathisnameisinthetitle"TheretomeetwithMacbeth"(Shakespeare,Ii8)Heis thetopicofconversationbetweenthethreewitchesinthefirstscene,sotheaudienceisawarethat heistheprotagonistofthistragedy....showmorecontent...
Oneofmankind'sbiggestflawsinarguablegivingintotemptation,whichisaflawthatMacbethhas troublewith.Thisissomethingthateveryoneintheaudiencewouldhavebeenabletorelateto whilewatchingtheplayAnotherkeyfactortobeingatragicheroishavingahubris,whichinthe endproveshimorherwrong."Ibearacharmedlife,whichmustnotyieldTooneofwomanborn." (Shakespeare,V.viii.149)Afterbeinggivenambiguouspredictionsbythethreewitches,Macbeth hasacertainconfidenceandbelieveshecannotbekilledOfcourse,atragicheromustsuffer,which againaddstothetragedyofhisstoryandcontinuestoshowhowhumanheis."Whathandsare here?ha!theypluckoutmineeyes!"(IIii59)Macbethsufferspsychologicaltraumaafterhisfirst kill.Heisoverwhelmedwithguilt,somuchsothathedoesnotevenrecognizehimself.Alltragic heroesmusthaveadownfall,somethingtogettheirheadoutoftheclouds.Thisdownfallshowsthe herothattheyarenotinvincible,andthattheyareverymuchflawed"Thewoodbegantomove" (V.v.34).Macbeth'sdownfallwouldbewhenheisunderattack,andanotherofthewitches' propheciesbecomesareality.Atthispoint,theaudiencecanseethatwhatMacbeththoughwas impossible,(beingattackedbyaforrest),wasjustadisguise.Followingtheirdownfall,atragichero mustdevelopanewself–knowledge,
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TheTragedyofMacbeth
TheTragedyofMacbethincludesthecharactersMacbeth,LadyMacbeth,Banquo,Fleance, Duncan,Donalbain,Malcolm,Macduff,LadyMAcduff,3witchesandRoss.Thestorybeginswith threewitchesplottingtomeetwithMacbethascottishgeneral.DuncankingofScotlandawaits newsofthebattleagainsttheThaneofCawdorMacbethandBanquomeetthewitchesinadark heathwhoprophesiedMacbethbecomingtheKingofEnglandandBanquohavingalineofkings, butwouldnotbecomekinghimself.Macbethisintriguedbythethoughtofthewitchesprophecy beingtrueheproceedstotakechargewithhiswifeandkillDuncanDuncan'ssonsMalcolmand Donalbainfledfearingthattheirliveswouldalsobeindanger.Infearof
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