Macbeths humanity throughout the play - 1003 Words

‘What is so tragic is the spectacle of a man who could have been a great human being but who loses most of his humanity and greatness by the end of the play.’ Write about the way this theme is developed in Macbeth. The tragedy seen in this play is the loss of the man that Macbeth could have been, hadn’t he given in to fulfilling his ambition. Shakespeare leads us to see the deterioration in both Macbeth’s character and his morality. Macbeth, being the tragic hero of the play, undergoes some great changes throughout the acts. Macbeth cannot resist his ambition, and this leads him to his downfall. After a lot of deliberating within himself he decides to act on the witches’ prophecies. He freely decides to believe in what the witches†¦show more content†¦Although he still felt guilty, saw his ghost, he wasn’t as troubled as when he killed his King. ‘I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on’t again I dare not.’ In Banquo’s murder he was more determined and no longer needed Lady Macbeth to push him on. He states ; ‘Strange things I have in head, that will to hand Which must be acted ere they may be scanned.’ This shows that from now on he will act upon his plans immediately and will not deliberate about them. His madness drives him to kill Macduff’s innocent family, due to his cruelty the Scottish and Scotland itself must suffer. His reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death further implies that he has become empty of any feeling and this also shows that the two have grown apart. He has become so fearless that he ‘has almost forgotten the taste of fears’. Once his life is cursed, he realises that the witches were never to be trusted however it is now too late. The great tragedy of the play is the loss of the kind of man Macbeth could have been and almost was. The contradictions of his character and his fatal mistake in giving in to his ambition could not make this possible. Macbeth has chosen to fulfil his ambition freely and is responsible for his actions. He is seen as a tragic hero as he loses his greatness due to hisShow MoreRelatedMacbeth, By William Shakespeare716 Words   |  3 Pagesfirst builds Macbeth’s character as a courageous and capable warrior through the wounded captain’s account of his valor on the battlefield. However, this perspective is complicated as a result of Macbeth’s interaction with the three witches, in which the notion that his physical courage is accompanied with an insatiable yet empty ambition and a tendency to self-doubt becomes known. These three attributes: bravery, ambition, and self-doubt, struggle for mastery of Macbeth throughout the play. As the storyRead MoreComparison Of Masculinity In Macbeth872 Words   |  4 Pages Alternative characters in the play contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeths twisted perception of a man by allowing their emotions and not giving in to traditional gender roles. When taking a look at masculinity in Macbeth, MacDuff’s is an aforementioned character. Shakespeare gives MacDuff phrases, which contrast the misguided ways of Macbeth and his Lady, and also show that there is hope in masculinity. It is obvious that MacDuff is Shakespeares ideological adaptation of a real man. MacDuff knowsRead MoreMoral Dilemas in Shakespeare ´s Macbeth Essay1042 Words   |  5 Pagessociety while other also affluent authors have faded into irrelevance? The answer ultimately lies in Shakespeare’s ability to write heart wrenching plays that center around moral dilemmas that the everyman experiences. The universality of Shakespeare’s work, in this case particularly Macbeth, stems from his portrayal of the common moral struggles humanity faces; how as a species the distinct, s avage, and innate feelings humans are born with are difficult to interpret by the mind. Macbeth serves as notRead MoreEssay on The Significance of Soliloquy in Shakespeares Macbeth853 Words   |  4 Pagessc. 1 lines 48-72, we witness a sad soliloquy as it shows Macbeth’s growing detachment from humanity due to his guilt conscience that keeps coming back. The soliloquy shows he is never at peace ever since he broke the laws of nature but takes it a step further when he starts cutting ties with his close friend, Banquo who is known for his wisdom, and leads us to think what Macbeth could possibly do next. The soliloquy starts with Macbeth’s reflection after he became king, ‘to be thus is nothingRead MoreMacbeth and Picture of Dorian Gray Essay1821 Words   |  6 Pagesexcellent effect, amongst others. Historical Values/Context: Was shunned by the public for it’s immoral and unorthodox nature. Hint of homosexuality Faustian Bargain – (decay of living standard) Cultural Values/Context: Values of humanity (fear of losing humanity/identity) Macbeth – Elizabethan Era Macbeth goes under manipulation by the witches, and is seen to swap his soul due to his pride and ambition, which eventually leads to his destruction. Quote: Macbeth says, The Prince of CumberlandRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth And The Human Condition1292 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s plays have been analysed and studied for hundreds of years. They are an iconic aspect of human history and are considered by many, even today, to be timeless classics. But how is it that stories written centuries ago continue to maintain so much relevance in modern society? Hello and welcome to today’s public forum; Shakespeare – its relevance in our world today. Shakespeare’s ability to capture the essence of the human condition, the key characteristics and ideals that composeRead MoreMacbeth Response : Analytical Essay945 Words   |  4 Pagesmakes him keep committing acts of murder to make sure he stays in the position of king. These character flaws also reflect humanity. The flaw of blind ambition can be compared to powerful people and companies who went to unsafe or unethical ways to get what they wanted. Macbeth’s first character flaw is his blind ambition. He is an ambitious character throughout most of the play, although at the beginning of the story he doesn’t care much for power as he expresses surprise when he is named Thane ofRead MoreTheme Of Blood Imagery In Macbeth1001 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s use of Blood to Represent Guilt â€Å"Guilt is cancer. Guilt will confine you, torture you, destroy you as an artist. Its a black wall. Its a thief† (Dave Grohl, BrainyQuote). In Shakespeares play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses Macbeth’s guilt as a recurring theme. Macbeth is about a man who receives a prophecy from three witches who tell him he will become soon become the king of Scotland. In his quest to become king, Macbeth will do anything, even kill one of his best friends, regardlessRead MoreMacbeth Fate And Free Will Analysis1198 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth, Shakespeare pits destiny against decision throughout Macbeth’s journey towards his downfall. While Macbeth is given options and opportunities by fate throughout the play, it is his own decisions and free will that lead to his ultimate downfall, and it is this exercise of free will over fate that resonates so strongly with audiences. Shakespeare’s juxtaposition of fate and free will in Macbeth begins with the opening scene of the play, which portrays the three witches discussing where theyRead MoreThe Change in Psychological Behavior in Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth1450 Words   |  6 PagesAct 2 Scene 2 is a crucial part of the play, because of the off staging of Duncan’s murder shifts the focus onto Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, as well as revealing the psychological behavioral changes and how the scene affected these two characters. The scene eventually leads to the deterioration of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. In this scene Macbeth kills Duncan and almost immediately after the deed is done, he starts to develop a guilty conscience. Also throughout this scene Lady Macbeth shows her confidence