This document contain key character and themes analysis of the play Macbeth, going into significant detail for you to grab your English literature grade by the scruff of the neck.
Macbeth:
Shakespeare evokes Macbeth's appearance of oneself to be perfect and loyal, thoroughly
shown in his braveness and actions on the battlefield , which instantly becomes overcome
through his own wrong doings and fear leading him to seek guidance from the supernatural.
Macbeth is highly respected and dignified at the opening of this deceiving play. This is
evident when quoted “Brave Macbeth- for he deserves that name”. This implies that people
respect Macbeth, his use of violence is a source of admiration. The captain regards him
highly. Ultimately, he conforms to Jacobean expectations of masculinity as Macbeth
completes all attributes that a warrior is expected to achieve in the Jacobean period, The
verb” deserves” implies that he has earnt that respect over a long period of time
foreshadowing how he soon undeservedly snatches the title king. However, as the play
continued Shakepeare presents Macbeth lacking masculinity as first shown, this is apparent
in the quote ”My hands are of your colour, but I shame to wear a heart so white”. Here Lady
Macbeth (Macbeth’s wife) manipulates him in order to achieve his ambition, however she is
doing this out of love to help macbeth. This juxtaposes with Jacobean expectations of love,
however, a Jacobean woman should not be associating themselves with violence and
tyrannical acts. The adjective “white” connotes purity, therefore Lady Macbeth sees this as a
weakness of Macbeth, whilst others have praised and promoted him for his decency in
serving his country during war.
Macbeth is presented as a reluctant tyrant by his poor choices through fear and paranoia.
This is evident when quoted ”Approach thou like the Russian bear”. Nevertheless Macbeth
cannot cope with the consequences of his actions, therefore he is not comfortable in his new
villainous, tyranichal role. The Jacobeans considered the supernatural as the ultimate evil
and here we can see its control over Macbeth, therefore he is a pawn in their desire for
chaos. The noun “bear” is symbolic as ‘bears’ are wild and dangerous species which
emphasizes the beast Macbeth has become towards its surroundings. Similarly
Shakespeare conveys Macbeth going through a mental breakdown, he is built with guilt and
cannot cope with the attitudes of being a rightful king.This is evident when quoted “Full of
scorpions is my mind” this suggests as a king Macbeth is racked with paranoia and fear,
therefore he lacks the mental toughness to maintain rule. A Jacobean king should rely on
those around for support, instead Macbeth pushes away his wife, kills his friends and follows
the supernatural which is the antithesis of a perfect king. The noun “scorpions” connotes
death, reflecting his anxiety and fear will lead him to his own demise.
Overall, the play ends with Macbeth being brutally killed by Macduff in revenge for the
savage murder involving his family, therefore this leads to Malcolm becoming the rightful
king of Scotland.
, Lady Macbeth-
In Macbeth Shakespeare is able to explore many themes from betrayal and loyalty to
revenge and power, Shakespeare provokes these themes through multiple characters
including Lady Macbeth as she demands the spirits to summon up male traits and
encourages Macbeth to be manipulative and ambitious.
Moreover, Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a manipulative and ambitious character
,this is apparent in the quote ”My hands are of your colour, but I shame to wear a heart so
white”. Here Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s wife) manipulates him in order to achieve his
ambition, however she is doing this out of love to help macbeth. This juxtaposes with
Jacobean expectations of love, however, a (Jacobean) woman should not be associating
themselves with violence and tyrannical act’s. The adjective “white” connotes purity,
therefore Lady Macbeth sees this as a weakness of Macbeth, whilst others have praised
and promoted him for his deasency on serving his country during war
Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as an enterprise towards Macbeth. This is viewed
through the quote “Dearest partner of greatness”. This shows that Macbeth regards Lady
Macbeth as his equal ,unlike Jacobean expectations of marriage, women in a relationship
were irrelevant and in the background, as this alone makes Lady Macbeth more powerful
than an ordinary Jacobean woman however, this is and was expected from a Thanes
companion. The adjective “Dearest” connotes a loving relationship and not a marriage for
power or reputational enhancement.Foreshadowing this, She becomes “dearest chuck”
reflecting how she slips back into a more ordinary Jacobean woman role again emphasizing
a jacobean womens unsuitability in violence or sacrifice.
Secondly, Shakespeare also reinforces how Lady Macbeth summons the supernatural but
refuses her feminine limits. This is evident when quoted “Come you spirits… unsex me here”
Lady Macbeth calls upon the supernatural to make her crueler in order to fulfil the murder of
Duncan, however Jaccobeans say that women should be protected from all evil and violence
however she invites it making her more powerful similerly like the witches. The verb “unsex”
refers to her plea to get rid of her soft feminime to obtain more ruthless nature to go ahead
with murder.
Moreover, Lady Macbeth’s ambition has tainted her. Her ambition to become queen has
overridden her moral obligation. This is evident through the quote “Out damned spot!” This
shows that Lady Macbeth is guilty, emphasising how she really feels about all the horrible
actions her ambition caused her to do. The noun “spot” is permanent reflecting how she
cannot remove her guilt and shame. Lady Macbeth feels responsible for the deaths, showing
a true Jacobean womens unsuitability for involvement in violence.
Overall, Lady Macbeth considered herself as the strong one in her relationship with
Macbeth, she fears that her husband lacks the mental toughness to commit devastating
regicide, therefore Lady Macbeth becomes weak ultimately leading to her downfall and
upcoming death.
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