Compare the ways Shakespeare presents fear and doubt in Macbeth and Richard III?
Compare and contrast how doubt and uncertainty are presented in Richard III and Macbeth
Macbeth is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare. The play is set in Scotland during the mid 11th century. But, the play was written in 1606 at a time where James I was on the throne. King James was a very superstitious man who believed in magic and witchcraft and these themes were presented in Macbeth to please the King. Also the political context is important as it was included in Macbeth with the ideas of excessive ambition. On the other hand, Richard III is a historical play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1592. It presents the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses imagery and symbols in the play to present the uncertainty and doubt with Lady Macbeth. This is presented in the quote:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.”
This quote shows Macbeth’s uncertainty at this point in the play and it is also one of the first signs of his deterioration. The imagery of the dagger was used by Shakespeare effectively, as it can be taken as Macbeth losing his head or an actually sign of a ghosts and witchcraft that is haunting their action. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth to be going insane has him questioning his own state and his vision.” Is this a dagger which I see before me” shows this. Also this quote presents the battle between dream and reality as he is unclear whether this “dagger” is in his mind or actually in front of him. Also another idea which is presented is that he is being haunted by this dagger and this could be a reference to the witches or witchcraft. These ideas were commonly believed at this time where there was lots of superstition with the people and the King. Shakespeare also presents doubt with foreshadowing. “Come, let me clutch thee.” This foreshadows that there is more killing to come as he
Macbeth is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare. The play is set in Scotland during the mid 11th century. But, the play was written in 1606 at a time where James I was on the throne. King James was a very superstitious man who believed in magic and witchcraft and these themes were presented in Macbeth to please the King. Also the political context is important as it was included in Macbeth with the ideas of excessive ambition. On the other hand, Richard III is a historical play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1592. It presents the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses imagery and symbols in the play to present the uncertainty and doubt with Lady Macbeth. This is presented in the quote:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.”
This quote shows Macbeth’s uncertainty at this point in the play and it is also one of the first signs of his deterioration. The imagery of the dagger was used by Shakespeare effectively, as it can be taken as Macbeth losing his head or an actually sign of a ghosts and witchcraft that is haunting their action. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth to be going insane has him questioning his own state and his vision.” Is this a dagger which I see before me” shows this. Also this quote presents the battle between dream and reality as he is unclear whether this “dagger” is in his mind or actually in front of him. Also another idea which is presented is that he is being haunted by this dagger and this could be a reference to the witches or witchcraft. These ideas were commonly believed at this time where there was lots of superstition with the people and the King. Shakespeare also presents doubt with foreshadowing. “Come, let me clutch thee.” This foreshadows that there is more killing to come as he