Macbeth Essays (2091 words) - Characters In Macbeth,

Macbeth Macbeth: Themes Macbeth was written while when Scotland lacked a good Leader to defend it from a Norwasian invasion. During this dangerous situation, Macbeth stood out as the most commanding figure by defeating the rebel army. His thrill towards the witches' prophecies all confirmed his hopes of becoming the King and replacing King Duncan, who lacked the power and courage to save his country from this invasion. In this essay, I will discuss Macbeth during the many experiences that he had faced and come across and I will show how these experiences and pressures that he faced helped with the conclusion and theme of the play which yet has to be understood. The first signs that tell us of Macbeth's thoughts of becoming King were found when the King proclaimed his son, Malcolm, the heir to the Scottish throne, and Macbeth considered murder to overcome this obstacle that would prevent him from becoming the King. The prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. (Act 1:Scene 4:ln.55) When Lady Macbeth heard of her husband's success and read the letter, we almost immediately feel that a new source of power had appared in the drama. Her words reflected a great knowledge of her husband and her practical approach to problems as seen in the following two verses. Glacis thou art, and Cowdor, and shalt be What thou are promised. Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. What though wouldst highly, That wouldst though holily;wouldst not play false And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'ldst have, great Glacis That which criesThus though must do,if though have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal. (Act 1:Scene 5:ln.14 O, never Shall sun that morrow see! Your face, my thane, is a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time;bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue, look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't. He that's coming Must he provide for; and you shall put This night's great business into my dispatches, Which shall to all our nights and days to come, Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. (Act 1:Scene 6:ln.68) Driven to murder King Duncan, Macbeth's conscience first appeared when he was not present to greet the King upon his arrival at the castle. This showed the lack of courage that Macbeth had to face his victim. If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly. If the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success, that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which being taught, return To plague the inventor.......................... (Act 1:Scene 7:ln 1) This verse stressed Macbeth's fears of punishment. He cleared out that he was prepared to suffer eternity if only this crime would go unpunished. He recognized certain obstacles in killing the King, the first and most important being was that the King was his guest. He also saw some dangers of committing the crime and understood it consequences well. When Macbeth tried to resist the temptation, his wife was the one that insisted on him to consent the murder. What beast was't then that made you brake this enterprise to me? When you drust do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more than man. Nor time nor place] Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves, and that their fitness know How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipples from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this. (Act 1:Scene 7:ln. 68) She accused Macbeth of