Shakespeare asks us to consider several questions through out Macbeth. What is the difference between kingship and tyranny? How far can a traitor fall? Through out the play there are two kings, Duncan and Macbeth. They both end in assasination but there is a very large difference in between the lines. Also in the play Shakespeare uses the character Macbeth to portray a traitor. Through out the play Macbeth’s status steadily decreases. Shakespeare asks how low can one sink.
Shakespeare provides the answer to the difference between kingship and tyranny through out the whole play. Duncan is referred to as a king while Macbeth is commonly called a tyrant. "In my most ill-composed affection such A stanchless avarice that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles for their lands, Desire his jewels and this other's house: And my more-having would be as a sauce To make me hunger more; that I should forge Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, Destroying them for wealth." (Shakespeare 4.3 78 – 84) The difference between the two types of rulers seems to be expressed perfectly in a conversation that occurs when Macduff meets Malcolm in England. As a test, Malcolm is pretending he would make and even worse king than Macbeth listing qualities such as jealousy, questing for personal gain and violent tendencies, all which seem to perfectly characterize Macbeth. “But I have none. The king-becoming graces, As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,” (Shakespeare 4.3 92 – 95) Malcolm goes on to list all the qualities a leader should have and that he is pretending he does not. One can see that these are all the qualities that Macbeth doesn’t possess. These attributes are the difference between a king and a tyrant.
Shakespeare answers the question how far can a traitor fall in act five. She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” (Shakespeare 5.5 17 – 28) This soliloquy sums up the answer very well. Macbeth has lost all belief in the world. His wife has ended her own life after losing her mind and those who he use to call friends are marching against him, most of whom he betrayed in some way shape or form. Macbeth speaks with such great pessimism in this speech that one can tell he is losing his own will to live. He has already lost faith in all the significance of his actions, everyone’s actions for that matter. That is how low one can sink for being a traitor
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
LRJ #5
In act five there is a common theme of defeat. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer crushing defeats. “To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. She needs the divine more than the physician. God, God forgive us all.” (Shakespeare 5.1 74 – 76) This is the doctor talking about Lady Macbeth and how she has fallen into a state of dementia. Lady Macbeth was defeated in a way because at the beginning of the play she was so ambitious and now she has been reduced to only a faction of her prior self. Macbeth too suffered defeat, even more so that Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is conquered by Malcolm and Macduff’s army and on top of that, it occurs right after he is informed of his wife death. “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Shakespeare 5.5 24 – 28) This snippet of the soliloquy sums up Macbeths position on whats happening in his life at the moment. He has gone completely senile. With his wife dead and armies marching against him, Macbeth succumbs to such pessimism. Macbeths true defeat is in him losing his will to continue on.
The image pattern that is seen most through out act five (and the rest of Macbeth) is blood representing guilt. “Out, damn'd spot! out, I say! One¬– two¬– why, then 'tis time to do't… Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” (Shakespeare 5.1 35 – 40) Lady Macbeth says this in her sleep, and it reveals her very guilty conscious. When she says out damn’d spot, she is referring to a blood stain that won’t go away, just as her guilt will not go away. When she says “who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood” she means how could she have known she would feel so guilty for the murder of Duncan. “The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean?” (Shakespeare 5.1 42 – 44) She mentions blood again as to say will she ever be free from this guilt she is feeling. The helplessness with which she speaks lets the reader know that Lady Macbeth knows she truly never will be free; making this statement somewhat of a prelude to her killing herself.
The image pattern that is seen most through out act five (and the rest of Macbeth) is blood representing guilt. “Out, damn'd spot! out, I say! One¬– two¬– why, then 'tis time to do't… Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” (Shakespeare 5.1 35 – 40) Lady Macbeth says this in her sleep, and it reveals her very guilty conscious. When she says out damn’d spot, she is referring to a blood stain that won’t go away, just as her guilt will not go away. When she says “who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood” she means how could she have known she would feel so guilty for the murder of Duncan. “The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean?” (Shakespeare 5.1 42 – 44) She mentions blood again as to say will she ever be free from this guilt she is feeling. The helplessness with which she speaks lets the reader know that Lady Macbeth knows she truly never will be free; making this statement somewhat of a prelude to her killing herself.
LRJ #4
The scene with Lady Macduff is important for several reasons. First of all it marks Macbeths decent in to absolute madness. He is killing neither for political gain nor to silence his enemies. Simply out of anger, distress and insanity. Also it may have been the author’s goal to allow the reader to meet the family before they were killed, “Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.” (Shakespeare 4.2 41 – 42) Adding a sense of humor and the ability to make jokes in a time of such crisis make a character more likable and perhaps the reader more grief-stricken when they are killed.
In act four the reader learns that they can trust Macduff through a test that Malcolm devised. “But I have none. The king-becoming graces, as justice verity… fortitude, I have no relish of them” Here Malcolm tests Macduff by listing a number of qualities necessary to be king that he is without. “Fit to govern? No, not fit to live. O nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered” (Shakespeare 4.3 103 – 105) Macduff passes Malcolm’s test with flying colors by saying they’d not be fit to live. Also seen in this quotes is Macduff’s deep-seated skepticism hate for Macbeth.
Macbeth has now lost his mind completely. There’s almost no trace of the Macbeth from act one. He now has gone mad with power, killing Macduff’s family for no real reason “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th’edge o’th’sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” (Shakespeare 4.2 150 – 153) This shows Macbeth plotting against Macduff, and the reader can see that Macbeth truly has gone crazy about murdering people. As Macbeth said himself, he could not go back to leading a normal life, not after all that he’s done.
In act four the reader learns that they can trust Macduff through a test that Malcolm devised. “But I have none. The king-becoming graces, as justice verity… fortitude, I have no relish of them” Here Malcolm tests Macduff by listing a number of qualities necessary to be king that he is without. “Fit to govern? No, not fit to live. O nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered” (Shakespeare 4.3 103 – 105) Macduff passes Malcolm’s test with flying colors by saying they’d not be fit to live. Also seen in this quotes is Macduff’s deep-seated skepticism hate for Macbeth.
Macbeth has now lost his mind completely. There’s almost no trace of the Macbeth from act one. He now has gone mad with power, killing Macduff’s family for no real reason “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th’edge o’th’sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” (Shakespeare 4.2 150 – 153) This shows Macbeth plotting against Macduff, and the reader can see that Macbeth truly has gone crazy about murdering people. As Macbeth said himself, he could not go back to leading a normal life, not after all that he’s done.
LRJ #3
In act three the attributes of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin to change dramatically, both in opposite directions. "They hailed him [Banquo] to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in my grip, thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding. (Shakespeare 3.1 61 – 65) This shows what Macbeth is becoming, very cold blooded. Even though he is to become king he is already jealous of Banquo’s children, the predecessors to the throne. The newfound evil in him is already plotting the murder. This is the main change in Macbeth. Lady Macbeth on the other hand is changing in a completely different way.
“tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy" (Shakespeare 3.2 8 – 9) This shows that Lady Macbeth is starting to doubt herself and also is feeling some remorse. She no longer leads Macbeth around, telling him what to do. Macbeth does that by himself now.
An image pattern that can be seen in act three is the use of blood. “We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide, filling their hearers with strange invention.” (Shakespeare 3.1 32 – 34) The blood seems to represent guilt. If that is the case then Macbeth is blaming Duncan’s death on Malcolm and Donlebain. "I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er" (Shakespeare 3.4 168 - 170) A second appearance of the blood. Here Macbeth is saying that he is so guilt and has committed so many murders that trying to go back to a regular way of life would be futile.
Themes that are seen in act three are those of paranoia and jealousy. In act three Macbeth become jealous of Banquo, which leads to the murder. "We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide" (Shakespeare 3.1 32 – 34) Macbeth becomes so paranoid about his killings that he feels the need to blame the murders on Malcolm and Donlebain.
“tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy" (Shakespeare 3.2 8 – 9) This shows that Lady Macbeth is starting to doubt herself and also is feeling some remorse. She no longer leads Macbeth around, telling him what to do. Macbeth does that by himself now.
An image pattern that can be seen in act three is the use of blood. “We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide, filling their hearers with strange invention.” (Shakespeare 3.1 32 – 34) The blood seems to represent guilt. If that is the case then Macbeth is blaming Duncan’s death on Malcolm and Donlebain. "I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er" (Shakespeare 3.4 168 - 170) A second appearance of the blood. Here Macbeth is saying that he is so guilt and has committed so many murders that trying to go back to a regular way of life would be futile.
Themes that are seen in act three are those of paranoia and jealousy. In act three Macbeth become jealous of Banquo, which leads to the murder. "We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide" (Shakespeare 3.1 32 – 34) Macbeth becomes so paranoid about his killings that he feels the need to blame the murders on Malcolm and Donlebain.
LRJ #2
In act two many of Macbeths negative qualities become much more apparent while still showing his positive side. “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done; look on’t again I dare not” (Shakespeare 2.2 53 – 55) Here one can see that Macbeth feel much remorse. So much so that he is unwilling to even lay eyes on the aftermath. Macbeths reaction to the situation is much more human and relatable than Lady Macbeth’s. After His break down she proceeded to take the dagger and do what he could not. Though losing his mind he is still somewhat sane and has not gone crazy about murdering people. On the negative side, Macbeth is far too weak and influence able. One can tell that he did not want to kill Duncan at all and that he clearly does not have the mental capabilities of murder. He knew he was not up to the challenge of killing Duncan yet he was so easily coaxed in to it by Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth seems to be the much darker counter-part of Macbeth. Through out all of act two she is very cut-throat about her actions and will stop at nothing to achieve power. “A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then! (Shakespeare 2.2 71-72) This shows Lady Macbeth deceiving and manipulating Macbeth. She is trying to calm him with lies. She is willing to say whatever she it takes to get him to do what she wants. The only brief moment of do you she a relenting side of lady Macbeth. "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done 't" (Shakespeare 2.2.16 – 17) This is probably the nicest thing she will say through out the whole play. One of the most relatable things said thus far and the only thing that falls on the positive side of Lady Macbeth.
The most notice able reoccurring theme in act two is sleep. "Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep' the innocent sleep" (Shakespeare 2.2 .40 - 42) This shows that sleep tends to represent innocents and Macbeth murdered Duncan in his sleep. By saying Macbeth does murder sleep, it is really saying Macbeth murders innocents, which in a way represents Macbeth leaving his innocents and be becoming more evil and cunning. Also Macbeth realizes this and he feels especially bad be cause he murdered the innocents.
Lady Macbeth seems to be the much darker counter-part of Macbeth. Through out all of act two she is very cut-throat about her actions and will stop at nothing to achieve power. “A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then! (Shakespeare 2.2 71-72) This shows Lady Macbeth deceiving and manipulating Macbeth. She is trying to calm him with lies. She is willing to say whatever she it takes to get him to do what she wants. The only brief moment of do you she a relenting side of lady Macbeth. "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done 't" (Shakespeare 2.2.16 – 17) This is probably the nicest thing she will say through out the whole play. One of the most relatable things said thus far and the only thing that falls on the positive side of Lady Macbeth.
The most notice able reoccurring theme in act two is sleep. "Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep' the innocent sleep" (Shakespeare 2.2 .40 - 42) This shows that sleep tends to represent innocents and Macbeth murdered Duncan in his sleep. By saying Macbeth does murder sleep, it is really saying Macbeth murders innocents, which in a way represents Macbeth leaving his innocents and be becoming more evil and cunning. Also Macbeth realizes this and he feels especially bad be cause he murdered the innocents.
LRJ #1 Macbeth
My initial impressions of Macbeth were that he was courageous, well respected among his peers and quite noble. "For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name- Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel" (Shakespeare 1.2 16 – 17) This quotes from the captain shows that Macbeth is thought highly of, a brave warrior and is respected by those of high authority. All are things that show him to be a good man.
Lady Macbeth comes off much darker than her male counter part. She is very ambitious and powerful yet cunning and possibly evil. “Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this” Lady Macbeth Is saying that she would murder her own child had she promised that to Macbeth. This shows that Lady Macbeth is very cunning and ambitious; she will say anything to get what she wants. She also hints that she is capable of horrible things, such as the murder of a child.
Banquo seems to be a generally good person. He is a noble soldier and quite respectful. “Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.” (Shakespeare 1.4 150) Here Banquo shows that he is quite loyal and respectful to Macbeth, two very good character traits. Banquo fights nobly along side Macbeth, proving that he is a true warrior at heart.
A common theme scene through out act one is ambition. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth fall victim to it. “What cannot you and I perform upon th’unguarded Duncan?” (Shakespeare 1.7 70 – 71) This shows Lady Macbeth talking about how she and Macbeth could kill Duncan and get away with the thrown. All her regard for chivalry and honor is over shadowed by her ambition and lust for power. Macbeth too, lets Lady Macbeth persuade him. His initial response to the prophecy is to let happen what happens, but after talking to Lady Macbeth he lets his ambition get the best of him.
A striking image that I am left with after reading act one is that of Lady Macbeth. “I would while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done this.” (Shakespeare 1.7 57 - 60) This passage is shacking to me because it is very graphic and incredibly unexpected. The image of her murdering a smiling baby is rather demented. Even Macbeth is caught off guard by this remark and almost completely shocked into following the command of Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth comes off much darker than her male counter part. She is very ambitious and powerful yet cunning and possibly evil. “Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this” Lady Macbeth Is saying that she would murder her own child had she promised that to Macbeth. This shows that Lady Macbeth is very cunning and ambitious; she will say anything to get what she wants. She also hints that she is capable of horrible things, such as the murder of a child.
Banquo seems to be a generally good person. He is a noble soldier and quite respectful. “Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.” (Shakespeare 1.4 150) Here Banquo shows that he is quite loyal and respectful to Macbeth, two very good character traits. Banquo fights nobly along side Macbeth, proving that he is a true warrior at heart.
A common theme scene through out act one is ambition. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth fall victim to it. “What cannot you and I perform upon th’unguarded Duncan?” (Shakespeare 1.7 70 – 71) This shows Lady Macbeth talking about how she and Macbeth could kill Duncan and get away with the thrown. All her regard for chivalry and honor is over shadowed by her ambition and lust for power. Macbeth too, lets Lady Macbeth persuade him. His initial response to the prophecy is to let happen what happens, but after talking to Lady Macbeth he lets his ambition get the best of him.
A striking image that I am left with after reading act one is that of Lady Macbeth. “I would while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done this.” (Shakespeare 1.7 57 - 60) This passage is shacking to me because it is very graphic and incredibly unexpected. The image of her murdering a smiling baby is rather demented. Even Macbeth is caught off guard by this remark and almost completely shocked into following the command of Lady Macbeth.
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