Duncan appraises Macbeth by holding Lady Macbeth by the hand and saying “We love him highly and shall continue our graces toward him” (I,iv,364, 29-30) believing that Macbeth is a loyal man that has such a great heart; considering that he risked his life to save Scotland: something that the Thane of Cawdor was supposed to do. Macbeth, a dark evil soul, uses the promotion and honor of Duncan as a stepping stone to begin his destroying of Scotland. Instead of being happy with the honor that king Duncan gave him the honor of Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth gets greedy and wants more than what is granted to him, “If chance will have
Macbeth is the story of a man whose ambitions have brought him to commit treason and murder. There is irony and symbolism in the play, which contribute to the acceptance of this masterpiece. Three forms of irony are evident in Macbeth: dramatic irony, being the difference between what the audience sees and what the characters believe to be true; verbal irony, the difference between what is said and what is meant; and situational irony, the difference between what actually happens and what is expected. A theatergoer witnessing a performance of Macbeth may develop presumptions about what is actually true and what is actually a truth. When it is contrary to what the character in the play believes to be true, a dramatic irony occurs.
Iago Although Iago is clearly the antagonist throughout the play, Shakespeare cleverly also utilizes the character as a confidante. His soliloquies to the audience lay out his intent and planning of the plot to the audience; to seek revenge on Othello. In addition to helping the audience understand Iago’s twisted thoughts, I believe that Shakespeare’s intent in writing in these brilliant soliloquies was to make the audience feel that they were part of the play and involved in the plot. We learn early on the relationship between Iago and Roderigo. Roderigo discloses his trust for Iago in the opening lines of the play.
The king should be patient, have justice, mercy and lowliness. Both Edward, who we will speak about later and Duncan are seen as saintly figures in this play while Macbeth has a horrible soul and is bound to hell. Duncan is a man of prayer while Macbeth cannot pray at all. The king’s most important duty is to protect his people which Duncan does, unlike Macbeth who turns against his people with a reign of terror. This shows just how Kingship is a good force shown by Duncan in this play.
Foil is a literary technique utilized by authors to highlight important characteristics of the primary character by use of contrasting and comparing. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, foil is used commonly to help reveal some of the character traits of Macbeth. The negative personality traits of Macbeth are highlighted by the dignified nature of Banquo, Malcolm’s leadership qualities, and Macduff’s nationality. The features of Banquo contrast the tyrant Macbeth’s reign upon Scotland by use his nobility and modesty. Banquo is very polite and respectful, as opposed to Macbeth’s beginning controlling attitudes towards the witches and his concluding forceful actions towards his country.
Observing the juxtaposition in these two scenes with Polanski’s Macbeth with the influence of the witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth’s role of ambition and his weaknesses. In Shakespeare, Macbeth is interpreted as being intrusive with evil as he and Lady Macbeth both make deliberate choices to do evil deeds. As a victim of fate Macbeth is deemed to some extent not accountable for his actions, but as a victim of his own actions, Shakespeare makes him subjective to the consequences by his own behaviour. Firstly, In Shakespeare’s version of Macbeth is delineated as a victim of his own actions, with his overpowering ambition and tendency to self-doubt. This is identified in Act Two, Scene Two where Macbeth converses with Lady Macbeth about the death of Duncan.
Hence the following parallels can be drawn: Lear-Gloucester, Edmund-Goneril/Regan, Edgar-Cordelia. However, the characters are not exact replicas of their parallels. Through the use of parallels, the playwright is able to accentuate faults in the characters through their corresponding characters. How is Gloucester like Lear? Both the kind and the earl are gullible.
More than these, I think Lear is motivated by his idea that he is a good man. One thing that supports is when Kent says “I’ll tell thee thou dost evil,” (Act I, Scene I, Line 175) and Shakespeare writes the king as reacting in a frenzy, going so far as to say “This moment is thy death,” (Act I, Scene I, Line 190). By portraying the king in this way, Shakespeare causes us to judge him as unstable and mental. While his actions thus far have been rash, him reacting in this way, and him banishing his daughter saying, “Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood,” (Act I, Scene I, Lines 117-118). From these thing, it is made clear that Lear is not only rash and insecure but also thoughtless and stupid.
April 15, 2013 OTHELLO Extra Credit Response According to Aristotle’s six elements of drama, Othello was the tragic hero whose weakness for having faith in those who he thinks tell the truth (Iago) allows him to be manipulated and blinded his jealousy that Iago created as an illusion. This downfall of his led to the death of Desdemona. Othello’s lack for evidence, such as proof of the handkerchief, allowed tragedy to occur in the play. Seeing the play Othello live rather than reading it from a book allowed me to understand the writing and meaning of Shakespeare. Watching Othello, I already knew the underlined themes and symbolism, etc.
Flaws and Weaknesses Presented in Macbeth In the play Macbeth Shakespeare presents the overspreading influence of evil over the sinister and ambitious minds which lead them to committing the most villainy and valour act; this act does not only lead to victory but it affects man, the state also the state and Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s relationship. Shakespeare also provides the essential morality which encourages their development in order to bring things back to normal. It shows that Shakespeare has illustrated the change of a good person to a ghastly figure. The effect of evil I Lady Macbeth is also closely examined. In Macbeth, Shakespeare transfers the evil from the villains to the hero and the heroine.