...Imagery is an effective tool used by writers to enhance the audience’s experience. This is no exception for the play “Macbeth”, in which Shakespeare spins a web of lies, deceit and treachery as the tragic hero, Macbeth, spurred on by vaulting ambition, overleaps, ultimately leading to his death. Throughout the play, recurrent imageries of clothing, blood and butchery as well as light and darkness are employed, propelling the play to its tragic end. The imagery of blood and butchery is employed when Macbeth is first introduced in the play, gives off the impression of a brave, courageous warrior, who was loyal to his King, and blood carried positive connotations of “valiancy” and other similar virtues, where “his blade smok’d with bloody execution”. However, it becomes clear that Macbeth has darker, more sinister intentions/wants beneath his warrior exterior: his desire to be King, which can be seen through his subscription to the Witches’ prophecy, foretelling that he will be King, and his frequent discussions with Lady Macbeth as they plot to usurp the throne from King Duncan. Blood then becomes a symbol of treachery, such as when Lady Macbeth calls upon the spirits to “make thick my blood” and to carry out the murder with no regrets, and in her plan to frame Duncan’s guards with his murder by “smear[ing] the sleepy grooms with blood”. The meaning of blood further descends into guilt, as we observe Lady Macbeth’s slow descend into madness and her suicide...
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...Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth is a story of power and destruction. The two main characters, Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, are driven by ambition to commit evil actions. Lady Macbeth, a more ambitious person than her husband plots to have her husband murder the king of Scotland so that he can take the throne. Macbeth commits more murders to protect his throne, all the while becoming sick with guilt and paranoia. The guilt that engulfs him and his wife lead to their eventual madness. Blood appears everywhere throughout the work and symbolizes many things. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare creates a sinister mood with blood imagery, which creates suspense and helps to resolve the story. Shakespeare uses blood imagery in Act One of Macbeth to create suspense. The opening battle of the story, between Scotland and the Norwegian invaders uses blood imagery to symbolize honor and bravery. Blood symbolizes bravery because the blood spilled is the blood of traitors and not noble men. The sergeant praises Macbeth for the murder of a traitor, as the king praises the sergeant for his bravery on the battle field. "So well thy words become thee as thy wounds, They smack of honor both." As Macbeth and his wife plot the murder of Duncan, they plan to smear the blood of the king on his chamberlains. They hope the blood will make the chamberlains appear guilty. Macbeth knows, though, that he cannot hide his guilt from himself. He calls the plans"bloody instructions, which...
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...In different periods of time, the lives of humans and nature were thought to have a connection, and this is emphasized in William Shakespeare's play MacBeth. In this play, unnatural events in nature foreshadow bad or unnatural occurrences in the lives of humans. Through out the play, Shakespeare continuously proves this point. When Ross said "As sparrows eagles or the hare the lion" (I.ii.35), it proves this theory. Common knowledge says that sparrows do not classify as eagles does a hare classify as a lion. They may have similarities, such as they are both birds or mammals, but they are opposites. After the quote is spoken, Ross reveals that the Thane of Cawdor has betrayed his country and Macbeth shall take his place. Macbeth becoming the Thane of Cawdor was an unusual event and not expected. When Macbeth finds the dagger in front of him, it alludes to this point even more. The foreshadowing of Macbeth's choice becomes evident when he says, "Nature seems dead" (II.i.50) For nature to seem dead would be the complete opposite of living because nature is thought to be continuously growing and changing, not dying. This is an unnatural event, that again foreshadows something bad, which is Duncan's death. Other unnatural occurrences happened prior to Duncan's death but were not explained until afterwards. When the old man says "'Tis unnatural / Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing hawk killed"...
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...Shakespeare uses the implications of blood and its effects in his play Macbeth to show the cycle of violence that repeats throughout the play. Shakespeare first introduces the character of Macbeth as a brave hero. In the first act messengers tell Duncan about Macbeth’s bravery in war. The bloody images used in this act show Macbeth as the hero of war who should be rewarded for his bravery. Thoughts of heroism and bravery fade quickly as plans to murder Duncan for Macbeth’s benefit and power gain arise. Blood quickly changes to a motif of guilt and fear because of the murder that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have committed. Surprisingly Macbeth keeps killing to calm his fear but sheds more blood in the process. The killings result in meeting the unnatural and bloody Macduff, who wants revenge and ends the cycle of violence....
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...Macbeth wants to gain the throne and is willing to do almost anything for it. Act 2 scene 1 of Macbeth describes Macbeth contemplating killing King Duncan for the throne. As he thinks about the murder, he is overcome with grief and nervousness. Along with being tremendously grieved, he also isn’t completely sure if it is the right thing to do. He has hallucinations and is questioning reality. William Shakespeare uses graphic language and visual imagery convincingly to convey that Macbeth is overwhelmed with fear and anguish. Shakespeare used visual imagery to distinguish Macbeth’s fear. In line 38 of act 2 scene 1, Macbeth says, “A dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” This image of a dagger shows how problemed and grieved Macbeth is about killing Duncan. Shakespeare giving Macbeth hallucinations also tells the readers that he is very afraid about the murder that he is about to commit. In line 49, Shakespeare uses witchcraft and nightmares as one of his tools to create a sense of eeriness. “Now o’er the one-half world nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the curtain’d sleep; witchcraft celebrates pale Hecate’s offerings, and wither’d murder, alarum’d by his sentinel, the wolf…” He uses the word “wolf,” and “wicked dreams” to add an effect of mysticism and to better describe the unsure feelings that Macbeth is having. Shakespeare visual imagery to paint a mental image of what might me happening to Macbeth, and how scared Macbeth...
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...This article is a general summary with a miniscule emphasis on the characters that reside in Macbeth. Amanda covers the main intentions of each character from the dark and impulsive actions of Macbeth ending towards the wickedness of the witches. This article is generally captivating of the mentalities of the differing characters and how each one relates to one another. This article is just a general summary on the basis of the main characters but goes into a shallow-deep intricate detail covering morbidity and uses of colorful wording. The article itself was obviously intended for those looking to read Macbeth or those who have yet to read it as it is more of an alongside critique. Mallibard, Amanda “Biblical Imagery in Macbeth” 20 Nov. 2001...
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...In the play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, William Shakespeare develops the theme of hunger for power through the use of irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism. Shakespeare ultimately proves that hunger for power can mislead a person from situations and turn good intentions, to bad intentions all because of there blind lust. Power, as grand as it may be, can always be misleading. William Shakespeare, often called the English national poet, is widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time. Known throughout the world, the works of William Shakespeare have been performed, taught, and studied for more than 400 years. William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to a successful middle-class glove maker in Stratford Upon-Avon, and created the play “Macbeth” in 1606. In 1582 William at the age of 18, married an older woman named Anne Hathaway. They had three children, Susanna, Hamnet and Juliet. Their only son Hamnet died aged just 11. By the early Seventeenth Century, Shakespeare had begun to write plays in the genre of tragedy. These plays, such as Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear, often hinge on some fatal flaw in the lead character, and provide intriguing insights into the darker aspects of human nature. You can now see where this comes into play in other situations Macbeth is a play of contradiction and ambition. Macbeth, a well-known war general driven to become King, killed not only King Duncan to receive his kingship, but also all the heirs to the thrown which happened...
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...presumptuous tone in Macbeth’s dialogue through diction in order to portray how Macbeth had put on airs due to his skewed perspectives. His arrogance is rooted deep early on in his talk of “duties” (I.iv.24) when addressing a king, who ranks higher in status, yet he finds it in him to remind the “highness” of his “part” without fear of going out of line (I.iv.23). A king is of God’s choosing, yet the word choice of “duties” is used when talking about the king and is used again when talking about himself within the same line, who is below him as a thane (I.iv.24). It suggests that Macbeth does not take into account of the king’s ties to heaven, and sees him only as a man that has obligations as well as the next man,...
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...students of Sydney university. I will be lecturing the play Macbeth to you by way of a play as a psychological thriller. Shakespeare’s Macbeth can be depicted as a psychological thriller, through his monotonous use of the themes of death, unbridled ambition and supernatural power. The late Alfred Hitchcock who was an English film director and producer, commonly referred to as “The Master of Suspense”, enjoyed pursuing the themes of murder and psychology. We can all relate to Alfred through the studied play Macbeth and the themes articulated. Right? The motif of death is significant in the play Macbeth and is evident through the excessive portrayal of Lady Macbeth and the significance of her ‘washing her hands’ in a sea of blood symbolizing the themes, fate and unbridled ambition. An example of Macbeth’s ambition is his desire to accomplish anything to anyone and anywhere to proceed as the great king of Scotland. An example of Lady Macbeth with increasing proof of unbridled ambition is, “I have given suck and know how tender tis to love the babe that milks me.” It is noticeable that there is quite a bit of violent imagery here and it gives us an image of this innocent baby with its brains out, which is the complete opposite of a baby being milked by its mother, which is often seen in reality....
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...Explore the way disturbed characters are presented in the text you have studied Shakespeare and Browning both effectively portray disturbed characters in their text to explore greater social issues. Shakespeare explores the issues of regicide in order to inform the reader about the consequences of treason. Shakespeare explores the inequality of woman rights by using the character Lady Macbeth and how she treats Macbeth. Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a manipulative, deceptive woman by Lady Macbeth leading Macbeth into self-indulgence. Shakespeare enforces the importance of 'divine rights of kings' and stresses the kings rights. By Macbeth killing king Duncan, he has committed regicide which is a sin. This goes against the divine rights of kings as Macbeth becomes king after he kills king Duncan and linking to the 'divine rights of kings' her has committed a sin. Also Shakespeare explores the outcome of manipulation and mental control by including the three witches. These three witches filled Macbeth's head with negativity and depravity. This results into Macbeth becoming very disturbed and traumatized. Moreover Browning explores the issues within the Victorian society in order to inform the reader about the different ways of life for others and the thoughts of others. Browning shows the difference in men and woman during the Victorian era and how Porphyria was very light hearted towards the way women were in that time. Porphyria had the image of a mistress other than...
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...A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO THE SIGNET CLASSIC EDITION OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH LINDA NEAL UNDERWOOD S E R I E S E D I T O R S : W. GEIGER ELLIS, ED.D., ARTHEA J. S. REED, PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, EMERITUS and UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, RETIRED A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth 2 INTRODUCTION William Shakespeare developed many stories into excellent dramatizations for the Elizabethan stage. Shakespeare knew how to entertain and involve an audience with fast-paced plots, creative imagery, and multi-faceted characters. Macbeth is an action-packed, psychological thriller that has not lost its impact in nearly four hundred years. The politically ambitious character of Macbeth is as timely today as he was to Shakespeare's audience. Mary McCarthy says in her essay about Macbeth, "It is a troubling thought that Macbeth, of all Shakespeare's characters, should seem the most 'modern,' the only one you could transpose into contemporary battle dress or a sport shirt and slacks." (Signet Classic Macbeth) Audiences today quickly become interested in the plot of a blindly ambitious general with a strong-willed wife who must try to cope with the guilt engendered by their murder of an innocent king in order to further their power. The elements of superstition, ghosts, and witchcraft, though more readily a part of everyday life for the Renaissance audience, remain intriguing to modern teenagers. The action-packed...
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...Symbolism, Chaos and Disorder Symbolism is the use of symbols to indicate or represent a concept or idea. Symbols are used in literature to give things a meaning beyond their literal one, and as a way for readers to see further than what is stated in text. This allows them to come to their own conclusions and it contributes to the theme and mood of the text to make it more effective. In Macbeth, nature symbolism is used to reflect the events in society through the weather atmosphere, and animals. Light and darkness imagery is used in correlation with chaos as well; night and darkness being used to cloak evil, and light and dark used to suggest the occurrence of evil events . Sleeplessness, another symbol, is also used to show how the chaos causes the characters in Macbeth to fall apart, from how they caused sleeplessness for themselves to how it drives them to self destruct. In William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, symbols are constantly used to illustrate growing chaos, evil and destruction which suggests that Scotland is on a path to its downfall. First of all, the motif of nature and disruption in the natural world is used to suggest that something unsettling has or will happen. For one, animals are used to illustrate the chaos occurring after Duncan's death. In the scene...
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...Despite Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ being a pre-gothic text, a vast range of gothic notions remain present, including those of darkness and concealment. The role of darkness within ‘Macbeth’ forms a vital aspect of the entire nature of the plot, with characters such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and even the witches displaying the use of dark acts, such as murder, in order to achieve personal ambition “that wilt raven up life’s own means.” Additionally, concealment plays an equally vital role, with the ‘femme fatale’ of Lady Macbeth strongly displaying signs of duality as she represses her evil nature behind the charade of passive femininity. However, one must consider why and how darkness and concealment obtain a significant device in structuring both the plot and displaying the gothic elements. Within ‘Macbeth, one of the most significant roles of the gothic notion of darkness is to emphasise to the audience the chaos and distress caused by Macbeth’s disruption of the Divine Right of Kings; which Shakespeare highlights through the relentless conflict between dark and light throughout the plot. Although darkness plays a vital role in accentuating the beast within both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, it can be seen as equally significant in the literal sense, with the eclipse which occurs during and after the murder of Duncan - hiding the cruel, dark nature to Macbeth’s acts. Within Act Two, Scene One, Fleance expresses the fact that “the moon is down: I have not heard the clock” which instantly...
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...In the Play MacBeth, Shakespeare uses many imagery to articulate the theme of darkness in which is discussed throughout the play. Darkness evolves throughout the play that in turn leads the murder of many people. The first imagery of darkness are the three nameless witches. The witches represents the occult, the dark arts and generally known for wreaking havocs and their darkness is a part of MacBeth’s downfall. In act one scene one, the three witches appears in a dark scene that involves three elements; “thunder, lightning, and rain”, (1.1.2) this was also when the battle in happening. They plans to meet Macbeth and they do, later in act one, scene three. They tell of three prophecies, one of which is that MacBeth will become king. In Act 1, Scene 3 Macbeth states, “Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor...My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical.” (1.1.132 - 138) When he starts to believe the prophecy, he starts to give into the dark words of the Witches. This darkness grow within him, and due to his ambition, he will be blinded by his action, just like the sailor in the story he will never return to who he once was....
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...Shakespeare's Macbeth (1611) is a play that explores the ideas of justice and natural order and is a cautionary tale of the consequences of allowing ambition and hubristic desires to overcome one loyalty and moral compass. This statement is aligned with my interpretation of the play in that the characters and ideas do resonate due to their portrayal of human concerns. Although it is inspired and shaped by Elizabethan ideals such as the natural order and superstition, it ultimately transcends these and becomes a depiction of human concerns that are forever universal and relevant in human society. Through the play we resonate the ideas it portrays through Macbeth who blinded by his hubris and pride, murders the right and divinely ordained king and the natural order is only restored after he has been killed. Through the play's portrayal of Macbeth's ruthless lust for power, this text shows the human concern of the consequences of disregarding all other feelings and counsel, being a slave to one's ambition. Macbeth initially pursues his goals of power through righteous means but he encounters the witches and the first seeds of ambition are planted. He is plagued with thoughts of killing Duncan, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical shakes my single state of man”. Shakespeare uses imagery of even the mere thought of murder is enough to “shake” his state of being. This shows how significant his ambition is and how it threatens to alter him. Though initially hesitant,...
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