TO WHAT EXTENT DOES SHAKESPEARE PRESENT MACBETH AS A VILLAIN?
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES SHAKESPEARE PRESENT MACBETH AS A VILLAIN?
Shakespeare presents Macbeth more extensively as a villain using methods which would be more understood in the era the play was composed, which was the Jacobean period, but influenced by the reign of Elizabeth. During the Elizabethan period people were preoccupied with the supernatural, which is one of the main topics in Shakespeare’s play. In my opinion Shakespeare structures the play to make the audience see Macbeth transforming from a hero into a villain, we can also see how Macbeth’s character transfigures from a valiant, noble soldier to a deceitful traitor.
Shakespeare exhibits Macbeth as being heroic both at the prelude and the climax of the play by portraying him as being brave and gallant. These heroic qualities supported by Macbeth’s will to fight for king and country are illustrated when fighting the rebellion, by Duncan, who is the king of Scotland. Duncan commends Macbeth, without the hero being present, which shows high respect from Duncan to Macbeth. This is shown in Act 1 Scene 2: “O Valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!” This is Duncan speaking and he is talking about Macbeth. Having the king call a soldier a cousin is a great honour and it is almost like Duncan is calling Macbeth his equal because of the heroic qualities Macbeth has shown him. At this point Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a hero more than a villain because of what Duncan says to Macbeth.
The audience in the Jacobean period would have immediately started to like Macbeth because of this heroism towards the king. This response is important because the audience in the 1600s was exceedingly religious and they believed in the Divine Order; the king was a messenger from God, therefore Macbeth was helping to protect God by fighting for Duncan. However, at this point the audience were not the only people who were admiring him; all the soldiers that Macbeth fought with, Banquo and unsurprisingly the king. This is because Macbeth
Shakespeare presents Macbeth more extensively as a villain using methods which would be more understood in the era the play was composed, which was the Jacobean period, but influenced by the reign of Elizabeth. During the Elizabethan period people were preoccupied with the supernatural, which is one of the main topics in Shakespeare’s play. In my opinion Shakespeare structures the play to make the audience see Macbeth transforming from a hero into a villain, we can also see how Macbeth’s character transfigures from a valiant, noble soldier to a deceitful traitor.
Shakespeare exhibits Macbeth as being heroic both at the prelude and the climax of the play by portraying him as being brave and gallant. These heroic qualities supported by Macbeth’s will to fight for king and country are illustrated when fighting the rebellion, by Duncan, who is the king of Scotland. Duncan commends Macbeth, without the hero being present, which shows high respect from Duncan to Macbeth. This is shown in Act 1 Scene 2: “O Valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!” This is Duncan speaking and he is talking about Macbeth. Having the king call a soldier a cousin is a great honour and it is almost like Duncan is calling Macbeth his equal because of the heroic qualities Macbeth has shown him. At this point Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a hero more than a villain because of what Duncan says to Macbeth.
The audience in the Jacobean period would have immediately started to like Macbeth because of this heroism towards the king. This response is important because the audience in the 1600s was exceedingly religious and they believed in the Divine Order; the king was a messenger from God, therefore Macbeth was helping to protect God by fighting for Duncan. However, at this point the audience were not the only people who were admiring him; all the soldiers that Macbeth fought with, Banquo and unsurprisingly the king. This is because Macbeth