Shakespeare Maintains Sympathy for Macbeth Essay Example
Sample Answer Sympathy in Macbeth
For me, a fascinating aspect of the play ‘Macbeth’ is the way Shakespeare maintains the audience sympathy for Macbeth, a ‘tyrant whose name blisters our tongues,’. By the end of the play Malcolm is justified when he says, ‘I think our country sinks beneath the yoke;/ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds.’ Yet, despite all of Macbeth’s tyrannous actions, somehow his tragic heroic status is intact at the end of the play. For me this achievement represents the true genius of Shakespeare’s dramatic prowess.
How this sympathy for Macbeth is achieved is complex. Firstly one should consider how key moments in the plot are managed, particularly the Introduction and the Conclusion. Secondly, one needs to recognise the importance of the loving relationship that exists between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Thirdly, the witches have an important role to play. They represent evil in the play and the contrast enables the audience to measure the extent of Macbeth’s villainy. Finally, the soliloquies should be examined, as soliloquies give the audience a window into the true nature of a character.
The opening scenes introduce Macbeth’s heroic qualities. He is praised for the heroics involved in gaining a victory. “brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name” He is praised for his ruthless and valiant nature, “unseamed him from the nave to the’ chops, / And fixed his head upon our battlements” He has shown remarkable courage in the face of, seemingly insurmountable, opposition, “doubly redoubled blows upon the foe”. Duncan declares him to be Valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! and elevates him to replace the Thane of Cawdor, “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.” We admire Macbeth before we meet him.
The closing scenes re-establish Macbeth’s heroic qualities. Lady Macbeth’s death is a low point when he ponders the futility of all life. The full tragedy is realised as he hits rock bottom.
For me, a fascinating aspect of the play ‘Macbeth’ is the way Shakespeare maintains the audience sympathy for Macbeth, a ‘tyrant whose name blisters our tongues,’. By the end of the play Malcolm is justified when he says, ‘I think our country sinks beneath the yoke;/ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds.’ Yet, despite all of Macbeth’s tyrannous actions, somehow his tragic heroic status is intact at the end of the play. For me this achievement represents the true genius of Shakespeare’s dramatic prowess.
How this sympathy for Macbeth is achieved is complex. Firstly one should consider how key moments in the plot are managed, particularly the Introduction and the Conclusion. Secondly, one needs to recognise the importance of the loving relationship that exists between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Thirdly, the witches have an important role to play. They represent evil in the play and the contrast enables the audience to measure the extent of Macbeth’s villainy. Finally, the soliloquies should be examined, as soliloquies give the audience a window into the true nature of a character.
The opening scenes introduce Macbeth’s heroic qualities. He is praised for the heroics involved in gaining a victory. “brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name” He is praised for his ruthless and valiant nature, “unseamed him from the nave to the’ chops, / And fixed his head upon our battlements” He has shown remarkable courage in the face of, seemingly insurmountable, opposition, “doubly redoubled blows upon the foe”. Duncan declares him to be Valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! and elevates him to replace the Thane of Cawdor, “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.” We admire Macbeth before we meet him.
The closing scenes re-establish Macbeth’s heroic qualities. Lady Macbeth’s death is a low point when he ponders the futility of all life. The full tragedy is realised as he hits rock bottom.