Another comparison that is made to Macbeth is with Duncan, the old king. Duncan was described as a great king, everyone loved him. Macbeth is pretty much the worst King. When Malcolm comes to Macduff, Malcolm tests Macduff by saying that when he is King “black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow” (143). Macduff then says that he isn’t fit to rule, this shows his integrity.
Macbeth truly debuts the play with auspiciousness, which in a sense, makes his downfall so much more tragic. Macbeth's ambition takes control of his noble qualities however, and creates a destructive path for both himself and Scotland as a whole. The seeds of his ambition are planted even before the Witches's first prophecy. While the Witches are predicting Macbeth's future it is evident that the notion of Duncan's murder has already crossed his mind: MACBETH: [Aside.] This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good.
One of the most popular factors attributed to the success of the First Crusade was the deep religious conviction of the first crusaders. They believed that their cause was just, and that God was behind it. This staunch conviction bolstered their efforts to the extent in which they engaged and defeated formidable opponents such as the Egyptians, defying all logical calculation and reasoning. The religious zeal of the crusaders could also have given them the strength to endure and overcome the miserable conditions they found themselves in, sieges and disease. Another reason why the First Crusade was successful was because of its efficient leadership.
The reason Macbeth suddenly changes is because he has realised that Duncan genuinely has respect for him and lauds him often. Duncan says ‘O worthiest cousin, the sin of my ingratitude even now was heavy on me’. Duncan is praising Macbeth huge amounts because he feels Macbeth has fought bravely in battle and has come away with an extraordinary victory and this shows the respect given off by Duncan. Duncan also gives Macbeth the title of the Thane of Cawdor, which is big news, and when Ross brings the news he says ‘thy praises in his kingdom’s great defence’. This shows that Ross is another person respectful to Macbeth not because he has to but because he has earned it.
In the beginning of the play it is made known that Creon is a powerful ruler. It also seems that he is a good ruler and his people are loyal. One of the chorus members states, "If that is your will, Creon son of Menoikus, you have the right to enforce it: we are yours"(Line 37). It is also obvious that Creon ignites fear in his subjects. For example, when Antigone asks Ismene to break the law Ismene replies in fear saying "Think of how terrible than these deaths, our own death would be if we were to go against Creon."
Macbeth was seen as a brave and noble man by all of his peers, and even King Duncan himself. This is why Duncan proclaimed “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won,” (1.2.67) referring to the fact that he named Macbeth to be Thane of Cawdor. One would think that after such accomplishment, Macbeth would be satisfied with his position. However, this is not the case. Chris risks his family, his secrets, his position gained in the high class society.
In act I scene 2 a captain describes how Macbeth killed McDonald in battle. McDonald is a traitor and this further elevates his stature amongst the king and his followers. "Captain: ... but alls too weak, for brave Macbeth where he deserves that name-" In hearing Macbeth had been described in such praise worthy terms, Shakespeare drives the audience to view the lead character with the highest regard. Macbeth comes across as an honest, obedient and most loyal servant to the king. Shakespeare wrote in approval of those who supported the Monarch.
In the play Macduff and Macbeth foil one another, thus making Macduff to be a better choice as a ruler for Scotland. Macduff shows heroic qualities throughout the play that Macbeth doesn’t. Macbeth is “fixed” by the witches and their predictions instead of focusing on his kingdom and the loved one around him, like for instance Banquo who is fellow kingsmen himself when acknowledging Macbeth’s strengths shows his true goodness. While Macduff on the other hand is the complete opposite and immediately shows this when saying. “ Awake, Awake ring the alarum bell murder and treason : Banquo, Donalbain, Malcom, Awake Awake Shake off this downy sleep, death’ counterfeit, And look on death itself!
However, I do believe that Leavis makes some very good points against Bradley’s, and my own, opinion of Othello. I believe that Othello was a noble hero but his nobility was destroyed by his own surroundings, his own actions, and his own fate. In the traditional sense, Othello is definitely ‘noble’, Shakespeare Portrays him as a powerful and wise man by creating the character of a military leader who has seen many things and wonderful stories to tell in grand, poetic ways, this makes him seem very respected among the people. Shakespeare makes Othello’s reputation clear to the audience from the start by the comments made by Lodovico “Is this the noble moor who our full senate call all in all sufficient? This the nature whom passion could not shake?
When Ross is talking to Malcolm in England, he said “[y]our eye is Scotland would create soldiers...”(IV.iii.188) which is very positive. So eyes can easily be associated with positivity in Macbeth. Now, like positive meanings, eyes can also have dark meanings too. Times when the work eye is used in a negative way is just after Macbeth kills Duncan when he says “And pity, like a naked newborn babe,Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,That tears shall drown the wind”(I.vii,21) talking about people getting news that Macbeth considers bad. Also like good, eyes can be used in place of sight in negative situations, like when describing someone as “ ... pitiful to the eye ...”(IV.v.153).This makes for interesting situations, but there is still one other things eyes can do.