Macbeth
“The shortest and bloodiest of Shakespeare’s tragedies, the action-packed
“Macbeth” traces the fateful undoing of an ambitious Scottish general tempted by the prophecies of three mysterious witches and spurred to action by his scheming wife.” (Unknown ,University Press, 2013) Throughout Macbeth Shakespeare uses comparison and contrast to bring out characteristics of his main character, Macbeth. Shakespeare uses comparisons with Duncan, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo to bring out aspects of
Macbeth's character.
After hearing of Macbeth's gallantry on the battlefield, Duncan, a good and honest king bestows the title of Cawdor on Macbeth. The king then proclaims his son Malcolm to be Prince of Cumberland, in effect designating him as successor to the throne of Scotland. This dramatic announcement of Duncan's chosen successor marks the beginning of an ironic story. It is at this point in the play that the audience, becomes fully aware of Macbeth's intentions to murder the king. Duncan hails Macbeth as his "worthiest cousin"(1.4.16) and blindly entrusts his fate to one whom he considers his "peerless kinsman” (1.4.59).
Shakespeare concentrates on Macbeth's courage so that he can contrast it later on with the terror and panic of Macbeth's psychological anguish. Lady Macbeth will stop at nothing, not even murder, to satisfy her driving ambition. She worries, "Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness” to go after the throne (1.5.16). She wants to be tough and begs the spirits to "unsex me here." (1.5.38) Macbeth, on the other hand, hesitates to murder Duncan for several reasons. Among these reasons the earthly consequences frighten him the most. How would his new subjects react? Would the kingdom disrupt in chaos? Furthermore, Macbeth cannot escape present punishment if he fails. We see Lady Macbeth's persuasiveness producing a new courage in her husband and that courage is manly enough to perform
“Macbeth” traces the fateful undoing of an ambitious Scottish general tempted by the prophecies of three mysterious witches and spurred to action by his scheming wife.” (Unknown ,University Press, 2013) Throughout Macbeth Shakespeare uses comparison and contrast to bring out characteristics of his main character, Macbeth. Shakespeare uses comparisons with Duncan, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo to bring out aspects of
Macbeth's character.
After hearing of Macbeth's gallantry on the battlefield, Duncan, a good and honest king bestows the title of Cawdor on Macbeth. The king then proclaims his son Malcolm to be Prince of Cumberland, in effect designating him as successor to the throne of Scotland. This dramatic announcement of Duncan's chosen successor marks the beginning of an ironic story. It is at this point in the play that the audience, becomes fully aware of Macbeth's intentions to murder the king. Duncan hails Macbeth as his "worthiest cousin"(1.4.16) and blindly entrusts his fate to one whom he considers his "peerless kinsman” (1.4.59).
Shakespeare concentrates on Macbeth's courage so that he can contrast it later on with the terror and panic of Macbeth's psychological anguish. Lady Macbeth will stop at nothing, not even murder, to satisfy her driving ambition. She worries, "Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness” to go after the throne (1.5.16). She wants to be tough and begs the spirits to "unsex me here." (1.5.38) Macbeth, on the other hand, hesitates to murder Duncan for several reasons. Among these reasons the earthly consequences frighten him the most. How would his new subjects react? Would the kingdom disrupt in chaos? Furthermore, Macbeth cannot escape present punishment if he fails. We see Lady Macbeth's persuasiveness producing a new courage in her husband and that courage is manly enough to perform