Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Insights Offered by Shakespeare's Macbeth

Good Essays
1146 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Insights Offered by Shakespeare's Macbeth
Macbeth, written by English playwright William Shakespeare, is a fictional play set during a deep Christian era, which focuses heavily on the life of Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman. Consistently throughout the play, a number of critical issues and themes are explored and reiterated with the clever use of language techniques and setting. On analysis of the patterns these themes and issues present, the responder is able to recognise a number of insights into the complex structure of human life and emotion. Furthermore, through investigation of Shakespeare's time and audience, we can further understand the context of these insights and how they relate to present day.

Ambition is essentially a positive human emotion, however it maintains the ability to manipulate personal decision and influence cause of action. Throughout the play, the power and control of ambition is notably the most crucial element in the development of the plot, and provides a fundamental insight into the manner human emotions operate.
To begin Macbeth is initially portrayed as a noble and decent character before meeting the three witches. He is considered loyal to his king and is highly respected amongst his soldiers, "For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—". Shakespeare characterises this dignified Macbeth through the use of powerful emotive language such as "worthy gentle men" and "valiant cousin". However, upon meeting the witches and hearing the utterance of their prophecy "All hail king thereafter", ambition begins to consume him, initiating his mental downfall. Shakespeare emphasises the effect of ambition over Macbeth when he contrasts the once heroic character as "deceitful, false, avaricious and malicious". Not only to we see the controlling effect of ambition on Macbeth, but rather it is his wife who begins wild dreams of limitless control as ambition reveals a darker side of human nature. Lady Macbeth, constricted by this dark desire for power, aggressively persuades Macbeth into murdering King Duncan. We see Macbeth use ambition as a justification to himself when he declares "Vaulting ambition, which o'er leaps itself and falls on the other ". Shakespeare’s inclusion of the term "vaulting ambition" demonstrates and emphasises the influence ambition can dictate over human action. Such wild ambition is presented in Macbeth's soliloquy and metaphor "Life's but a walking shadow", which implies its inevitable and detrimental nature.

Macbeth allows the responder to identify the manipulative nature and control ambition can hold over human emotion. It is through Shakespeare's clever characterisation and use of language techniques that we can analyse the natural process of human emotion and how ambition can act as a catalyst for irrational human behaviour. As such, we establish a key insight into the impact of ambition on human emotion and the destructive and unethical behaviour that can result.
In Macbeth, the Elizabethan world view and perception of natural order greatly influences the complex mechanics of the play. Shakespeare writes in a time where God’s order was assigned to all aspects of life, from kings to nobles, husband to wife, and men to women. If the natural order was altered, God would become displeased and society and nature would distort until order was inevitably returned to its natural state. The subversion of nature is presented consistently throughout Macbeth; in the tyranny and vicious nature of Macbeth, and also in the ambiguous and abnormal gender profile demonstrated by Lady Macbeth.

The corruption of the natural order in Scotland commences upon Macbeth's act of regicide and unjust ascension to kingship. Shakespeare effectively communicates the impact of such unnatural events through the use of powerful natural imagery. Subsequent to Macbeth's murder of Duncan, Dunsinane is engulfed in a violent weather of storms and ferocious winds. Lenox describes the evening as, “The night has been unruly. Where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard i' th' air” This use of symbolic imagery portrays how Scotland has been overwhelmed by sin.

Lady Macbeth further provokes the unsettling of natural order when she begins to plot against the King. At this time, we see her gender ambiguity provoked when she exclaims “unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty”. Macbeth become more passive as she begins to assume a more masculine role, and therefore, is subverting the Elizabeth natural order by denying her femininity. In the Elizabethan era, such an unstable and disturbed world was toxic. Inevitably we see the death of Macbeth and his wife as they succumb to the consequence of their actions. Order is finally restored to the land following Malcolm's proper ascension to the throne, highlighting the significance of correct order and hierarchy to the Elizabethan Era.

Shakespeare’s crucial involvement of natural order and God's will is a powerful inclusion in the play. Through the use of powerful imagery and contrast, Shakespeare allows us to develop an insight into the importance of maintaining correct social order and the consequences of challenging it. In Macbeth, a number of key characters make decisions that result in harsh consequences. Shakespeare allows us to identify the connection between sinful actions and the subsequent guilt and consequence.

Within the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both totally consumed by guilt. Upon committing regicide, Shakespeare highlights the overriding guilt of their actions through the use of symbolic imagery. The image of blood is consistently repeated throughout the play and symbolises the unrelenting guilt staining the couple “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?" This is further demonstrated in Act 5 Scene 1, where Lady Macbeth's mental depreciation and thriving guilt is highlighted when she is presented with the illusion of bloodstained hands as she sleep walks in the night, "all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." Shakespeare also utilises setting well in many of the scenes to represent the evil pervading within the play and around the couple. Images of darkness and night help create this evil setting for the sin committed by Macbeth and his wife, "let not light see my black and deep desires".
Macbeth allows us to establish an understanding of the consequences of a person's action and the subsequent guilt that follows. Accordingly, we are provided with an insight into the role of choices in human emotion and how a regrettable decision can bring with it not only cruel consequence, but unforgiving guilt.

Shakespeare's Macbeth explores several critical issues pertaining to the process of human life and society. Macbeth reflects on human attitudes and reinforces the challenges of human behaviour. The play reiterates the consequences that are linked to sinful action and the guilt that follows, the importance of order and structure in society, and the impact of ambition as a catalyst for irrational human behaviour. These issues provide us with key insights into the complex mechanics and structure of human emotion and society, enhancing our understanding of the play as a whole.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    In William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, Macbeth is a tragic hero who causes suffering by committing murder and distress, exemplifying the negative effects of a bloodthirsty desire for power.…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Shakespeare portrays the destructive consequences of ambition, through the character transformation of his eponymous protagonist Macbeth. Macbeth is initially characterised as a "brave" and "noble" soldier, who is highly respected by many. However, through the interactions with the abhorrent witches, it is revealed that the physical courage he holds is joined by a consuming ambition for power. The witches’ prophecies that Macbeth will be "Thane of Cawdor" and "Shalt be king hereafter” tempt his latent ambition for power, metaphorically poisoning his psychological state, “full of scorpions is my mind”; prompting him to perform treacherous acts. Macbeth believes committing regicide, ironically, “Might be the be-all and end-all”, although his ambitious usurpation of the throne results in destructive consequences such as remorse, paranoia and his demise. In contrast to the start of the play, Macbeth’s characterisation changes from good to evil, illustrated by Malcolm's metaphorical comment "This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues". Shakespeare establishes through Malcolm’s inimical words, that Macbeth is no longer seen as a “noble” soldier, but as…

    • 1129 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Initially, Macbeth is introduced as a fearless soldier and is celebrated by the nobles of Scotland, as well as the King: “For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name-” (1.2. 18) He is praised as a courageous and loyal man. Unfortunately, this character trait changes when Macbeth meets the witches who greet him with a prophecy telling him that he will be king: “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter.” (1.3. 53) Macbeth, blindly trusting the divination, is attracted to the idea of himself as king; and being an ambitious man, he plans on…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Where is he? He is never late! It couldn't of taken him this long. He has left me here, impatiently striding up and down this ridiculously tiny room. He's done this on purpose, leaving me anxious, worried, but at the same time a little bit excited. Me, Lady Macbeth, I have managed to wrap a man around my little finger. A woman? I know this is wrong but the devilish feeling has climbed into my stomach, like your nervous, but excited. Almost as though your about to put on a performance, but in reality, this is much worse.…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    With Macbeth, Shakespeare has crafted a character that falls under immense pressures from various sources. These opposing forces create internal conflict with Macbeth as he is torn between right and wrong, ambition and loyalty. Shakespeare has engineered this internal strife as a means to highlight the theme of right versus wrong in this work.…

    • 365 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    An understanding of the social, philosophical and historical context of Shakespeare's Macbeth is important because it allows the reader to understand the play.…

    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The human condition has been explored throughout time and its study has primarily allowed us to learn from our past and develop as people. The Elizabethan era is very different from the world today as our values and beliefs have changed to suit our level of knowledge and intelligence. These differences become clear when exploring an audience 's response to William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, from the Elizabethan era and today. The text was written in 1606 and was set in Scotland. The tragedy construes what egotistical ambition can do to the mind. Key themes of loyalty and betrayal, the increase in intelligence of humans, the way laws govern society and the balance in power between genders affect an audience 's response to Macbeth. Specifically speaking; Macbeth 's corruption, the three witches and Lady Macbeth’s power in marriage show how theses themes affect the difference in a viewer’s response to Macbeth from the 17th Century to today.…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    * “Dead butcher” (Act V, Scene 9) - Metaphor of the butcher, Macbeth killing so many people, brutally…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Tragedy of Macbeth

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Shakespeare is perhaps most noted for his tragic plays. He has written many great tragedies, one, which was written in 1606 and was titled Macbeth. A tragedy is the story of a great person whose character flaw eventually leads to his downfall. Macbeth’s flaw is his ambition, which he shares with his wife. There are also many incidents in the play that support the idea of the tragedy being the deterioration of its main character Macbeth. Macbeth is a tragedy in which human actions have unavoidable consequences, where the character’s mistakes are never forgiven or reconciled. It is a tragedy because Macbeth is overly ambitious, and also, because he is too easily persuaded to do things he knows are immoral and unethical.…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Macbeth: a Tragic Hero

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Tragedy occurs to some more often to others, but most define it differently. Webster's Dictionary defines it as "a kind of drama in which some fatal or mournful event occurs" (764). To philosophers and traditional writers philosophy takes on another meaning. For example, to famous philosophical figure Aristotle, "tragedy occurs when noble or great persons are led, through pride or a secret flaw in their personalities, to suffering that changes their fortune. The tragic hero must begin in a high position and end in death or some sort of degraded role" (Definitions of Tragedy). Based on human nature, Aristotle's philosophy of tragedy, and current literary criticism of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the main character, Macbeth, is classified as a tragic hero.…

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    William Shakespeare's Macbeth is a tragic play. Gradually throughout the play's sequence, Macbeth's actions become increasingly more wicked and evil. The real focus is how and why Macbeth changed so drastically. The three witches predictions or prophesies had a traumatic effect on him that slowly began his steep downfall.…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This essay will attempt to explore what the play ‘Macbeth’ suggests about the states of minds of both the titular character Macbeth, and his scheming wife Lady Macbeth, using extracts from Act 1, Scene 7. I will also examine how the language used emphasises the key themes and ideas within the play. The characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are revealed and developed through their dialogues with use of soliloquies and asides, helping to reveal their personalities, states of mind, emotions and motivation. Much figurative language and imagery is used by Shakespeare to emphasise the themes within the play, creating atmosphere and mood in order to achieve dramatic outcome (109). Initially eager to have the deed done, he would have it done sooner rather than later and hope for the murder to be the finish of it all:…

    • 1495 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Tizbeth slumped down and an arrow struck the ground where she had been standing. She swore and rolled away. Syd, on her feet, created a protection bubble.…

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As William Shakespeare weaved the storylines of his plays, he considered both the ignorant lowlife and the insightful intellectual. He constructed them to be entertaining enough to humor those with little intelligence, but also meaningful enough to attract intellectuals. In this particular play, "Macbeth", Shakespeare makes a commentary about human nature as well as delivering his own personal message.…

    • 297 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Masculinity In Macbeth

    • 1385 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Shakespeare’s play Macbeth still resonates strongly with modern day audiences due to the use of themes and devices that are still relevant to today’s society. Corruption and the connection between violence and masculinity are the main ideologies faced by the main characters. The existence of ‘destiny’, superstitions and supernatural beings are often questioned in today’s society. Guilt is also a major theme which drives Macbeth to the point of insanity and his wife into depression which then leads to her suicide; again these are modern issues which trouble some people on a daily basis. Also the use of dramatic irony, rhyming couplets, soliloquies and comic relief keep the audience attentive and allows the audience to create an emotional connection with the characters.…

    • 1385 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics