Ethics and Time Macbeth
William Shanahan
Dr. Chalk
Engl 110
February 15, 2011
To the Reader, I believe that the main point in my essay is the fact that once moral codes are lost they are gone forever. My biggest problem with writing this essay was stringing everything together in a clear and concise manner. I think my point on the importance of morals and ethical conduct were made well. I feel that relating my point to the text was not as strong as it could have been. I’d like the reader to answer the question of whether or not my essay was persuasive. My favorite sentence is my thesis statement; it sets up what the essay is going to be about. My least favorite sentence is the last sentence of the conclusion. I feel like it didn’t end the essay on the right note.
At first glance, Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tale of a ruthless man with no moral or ethical boundaries limiting his murderous rampage. The second time Macbeth is mentioned in the play, he is described as a valiant yet violent warrior cutting his way through enemy lines without hesitation or second thought. Macbeth then goes on to end Duncan for his own political benefit and end the lives of many others who even pose the most miniscule chance of problems for Macbeth. However, Macbeth was not a blood thirsty savage when the play began. In fact, he had a strong ethical and moral standing in his life. Macbeth undergoes a dramatic transformation and character evolution. This is because, for Macbeth, once ethical and moral boundaries are crossed or broken the point of no return has been passed. These boundaries are what give Macbeth his essence of humanity and guide his moral compass. Macbeth broke these ethical and moral guidelines by taking the innocent blood of Duncan and, consequently, could not go back to his previous lifestyle nor regain an ethical or moral sense to guide him in his actions. Right off the bat, act one scene two sets up some difficulties for my thesis. The wounded captain
Dr. Chalk
Engl 110
February 15, 2011
To the Reader, I believe that the main point in my essay is the fact that once moral codes are lost they are gone forever. My biggest problem with writing this essay was stringing everything together in a clear and concise manner. I think my point on the importance of morals and ethical conduct were made well. I feel that relating my point to the text was not as strong as it could have been. I’d like the reader to answer the question of whether or not my essay was persuasive. My favorite sentence is my thesis statement; it sets up what the essay is going to be about. My least favorite sentence is the last sentence of the conclusion. I feel like it didn’t end the essay on the right note.
At first glance, Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tale of a ruthless man with no moral or ethical boundaries limiting his murderous rampage. The second time Macbeth is mentioned in the play, he is described as a valiant yet violent warrior cutting his way through enemy lines without hesitation or second thought. Macbeth then goes on to end Duncan for his own political benefit and end the lives of many others who even pose the most miniscule chance of problems for Macbeth. However, Macbeth was not a blood thirsty savage when the play began. In fact, he had a strong ethical and moral standing in his life. Macbeth undergoes a dramatic transformation and character evolution. This is because, for Macbeth, once ethical and moral boundaries are crossed or broken the point of no return has been passed. These boundaries are what give Macbeth his essence of humanity and guide his moral compass. Macbeth broke these ethical and moral guidelines by taking the innocent blood of Duncan and, consequently, could not go back to his previous lifestyle nor regain an ethical or moral sense to guide him in his actions. Right off the bat, act one scene two sets up some difficulties for my thesis. The wounded captain
Citations: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Ed. Kenneth Muir. London: The Arden Shakespeare, 2003.