Summary How is Macbeth presented as a violent character?
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Course
English
Institution
GCSE
This document is an extremely detailed 30/30 answer based on how Macbeth is presented as a violent character throughout Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth.' It can be used for a student to understand how to deeply analyse techniques etc.
Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a violent character.
Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a violent character in the extract and throughout the play through
the use of hyperbolic language and graphic detail. He also presents the violence in his mind as he
always resorts to violent situations
In the extract, the captain describes Macbeth's action to the king sparing no detail. He states "with
his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution" which suggests that his sword was
designed for the murder of others. The sensory verb "smoked" further suggests the quickness of the
fighting. Macbeth was so quick in his "execution" that the sword appeared to visibly smoke from it.
For the audience it can connote the enthusiasm of Macbeth in the fight - and because we haven't yet
met him this is the only description we can gain of him. The description of "brandished steel"
conveys the image of the sword and how prepared Macbeth was for this fight. Shakespeare intension
is to imply that Macbeth is inherently violent from the beginning, he doesn't shy away from violence.
The effect on the audience would be that they admire his bravery and the captain's description
enhances the idea that Macbeth's violence is a good thing.
Another way Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a violent character is by the effect of his actions.
Captain states "as two spent swimmers that do cling together" which suggests that the enemies were
wary of Macbeth's wrath - they tired out easily and were holding on for dear life - the verb
"cling" connotes the desperation. The quote gives the impression that Macbeth is a mighty force to
be reckoned with and that he is loyal as he is prepared to fight for his country. He is called "brave
Macbeth" that portrays his violent and superior nature. Again, his violence is seen as honourable
because he shows loyalty and does not hesitate to kill the enemies. Shakespeare intends to create a
glorifying image of Macbeth to make his downfall at the end of the play that much more shocking.
His effect on others is always dramatic, like the captain states "two spent swimmers" connoting how
Macbeth tires the army out.
However you could argue that Macbeth is only this violent because he is fighting out of loyalty. His
bravery and outlandish actions of violence only occur to protect King Duncan. He doesn't appear to
have violent tendencies and is only graphic and harsh to win the fight. The statement "till he
unseamed him from the nave to th'chaps" shows not only that he killed somebody violently, but that
he did it to ensure that no enemies remained alive. His enthusiasm was to please the king. The part
"from the nave to the chaps" is basically Macbeth cutting the people open - to make sure they are
really dead. This will reassure him that he has done his job properly. You can link this to traditional
Elizabethan beliefs about the Divine Right of kings: that a king was chosen by God to rule the
country. This meant that the reign followed a succession and wasn't to be meddled with. By knowing
that King Duncan was appointed by God, Macbeth is showing his loyalty to God, not just the king.
This makes him even more admirable and worthy. It makes him less of a violent character and more a
person who instils violence for the better of Scotland.
In the rest of the play Macbeth is presented as having the incline to murder out of ambition. Despite
his honourable nature in Act 1, the witches' prophecies of kingship become tempting to Macbeth.
However, he doesn't immediately act on it, instead suggesting reasons for and against his idea. He
does show his uncertainty through the regular use of euphemisms. He refers to the murder of
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