Macbeth Is Not a Villain... - 2571 Words

MACBETH ESSAY The proposition that #8220;Macbeth is a villain in whom there is little to admire#8221; is an inadequate judgement of Macbeth#8217;s character. Macbeth is not consciously and naturally malevolent, and there are many aspects of his character and his downfall which serve to support this. Macbeth was not only a victim of his own actions, but also of the human condition and the extremely powerful forces of both his wife and fate. Throughout the play the audience undoubtedly experiences feelings of horror at Macbeth, but we are also driven, through an understanding of his character, to admiration and sympathy. This would not be the case if Macbeth was a totally vile and reprehensible villain, and thus the tragedy of†¦show more content†¦He tells Lady Macbeth; #8220;We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honoured me of late#8230;#8221; Despite this apparent resolve, just 49 lines later Macbeth has changed his mind and is set on murdering the King. Lady Macbeth was extremely influential in turning him around. He would not have committed the murder if it weren#8217;t for her. Lady Macbeth is an element of extreme power. Macbeth#8217;s ambition and conflicting morals make him hopelessly vulnerable to Lady Macbeth#8217;s terrible resolution and unnatural, daunting, power. She begins by frankly questioning his ambition; preying upon his weakness as a man of pride and challenging his determination, valour, courage, and preparedness to fight for what he desires: #8220;Art thou afeared To be the same in thine act and valor as thou art in desire?#8221; She even questions his manhood, so that he feels the need to tell her; #8220;I do all that may become a man, Who dares do more is none#8221;. He is still morally cognitive and has deep reservations; committing the murder would be inhumane. His conscience has not yet been put aside. But now Lady Macbeth, sensing that all the fruits of her ambition are at stake, shows a degree of determinatio n and commitment to the cause that Macbeth must match if he is to maintain his own sense of purpose. She tells him that she would have dashed the brains out of her own infant #8220;had (she) so sworn as (Macbeth)Show MoreRelatedMacbeth: Hero or Villain2592 Words   |  11 PagesMacbeth: Hero or Villain In this essay, I will be divulging into Macbeth written by William Shakespeare in 1603, to try and answer the question Was Macbeth a true hero or villain in the play?. Macbeth is a play of villainy, murder, deceit and oftenly described as a play fit for a king. In my personal opinion, the evidence from Shakespeares original text and Roland Polanskis video version strongly suggests that Macbeth was a true villain rather than a hero. AnRead MoreLady Macbeth Is Essentially the Villain in Macbeth771 Words   |  4 PagesIn William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is the true villain of the play as she is evil, ambitious and eventually insane. Lady Macbeth masterminded the idea to kill King Duncan and planted the vision into Macbeths mind, she convinced Macbeth to commit such a crime, and her love for her husband was eventually overruled by her determination and lust for power. Throughout the play she starts to show her true colours and the destructive force of her ambition, which inevitably results in nothingRead MoreEssay Macbeth - Hero Or Villain?1487 Words   |  6 Pages ‘Macbeth’ is a play by William Shakespeare that shows a protagonist going from bad to worse throughout the play. Shakespeare wrote this play, taking in mind current affairs at the time of 1603-1606. This is the time when a Scottish king, James I was given the English crown. This king was obsessed with witches, so Shakespeare brought this theme strongly into the play. It also brings the theme of treachery towards the King. This pleased King James and also pleased him about showing the line of StuartRead MoreHero to Villain in Macbeth by Shakespeare791 Words   |  3 Pagesselfish villain in a short period of time? In the tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare, written in the 1600s, Macbeth is first depicted as a noble and loyal Scottish general, who is allegiant to his sovereign, King Duncan. After three witches reveal prophecies to both Macbeth and Banquo, ambition begins to cloud Macbeth’s judgment, resulting in ominous thoughts about killing his king. Although not yet completely ignoble, Macbeth begins to embark on a bloody course with his wife, Lady Macbeth, resultingRead MoreMacbeth Villain Analysis877 Words   |  4 PagesA Murderer Unveiled Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a wonderfully written play, detailing the inner workings of Macbeth’s mind, a once brave and honest man who became a selfish, murderous tyrant of Scotland. This play is centered in Scotland, ruled by King Duncan. He was a kind and benevolent leader, respected by all citizens of the kingdom. Macbeth, a Scottish soldier and nobleman, was highly praised by the King for his bravery and loyalty to the nation. However, Macbeth’s fatal flaw, whichRead MoreMacbeth: Shakespeares Tragic Villain2454 Words   |  10 PagesMacbeth: Shakespeares Tragic ViLLain From nobLe hero to ‘dead butcher, we witness the destruction of a mans character. How did the destruction come about? What was actually destroyed was Macbeths mind. He lost his conscience, his morality, and any connection with goodness. What he achieved by his overwhelming ambition wasnt exactly what he had intended to achieve. And so, he became more determined while his ambitions grew stronger. He couldnt digest the fact that he was winning yetRead MoreTO WHAT EXTENT DOES SHAKESPEARE PRESENT MACBETH AS A VILLAIN?3966 Words   |  16 PagesPRESENT MACBETH AS A VILLAIN? Shakespeare presents Macbeth more extensively as a villain using methods which would be more understood in the era the play was composed, which was the Jacobean period, but influenced by the reign of Elizabeth. During the Elizabethan period people were preoccupied with the supernatural, which is one of the main topics in Shakespeare’s play. In my opinion Shakespeare structures the play to make the audience see Macbeth transforming from a hero into a villain, we canRead MoreMacbeth Is a Villain in Whom There Is Little to Admire. Do You Think This Is a Satisfactory Comment on Macbeth? **Using Textual Evidence**1733 Words   |  7 PagesMacbeth is not a villain in whom there is little to admire; he in fact, contains many characteristics that responders would look up to and to some extent, respect. Bravery and courage is shown with Macbeth throughout the play which causes us to admire him. What ultimately had caused Macbeths rise and downfall is what the witches had dishonesty ma squeraded, and thus Macbeths character flaw had provoked the events happening. Moreover, although Macbeth had committed many awful and unforgivable deedsRead MoreCompare and Contrast Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo. How Are They Alike? How Are They Different? Is It Possible to Argue That Macbeth Is the Plays Villain and Macduff or Banquo Its Hero? Is the Matter More Complicated Than That?694 Words   |  3 Pagescontrast Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo. How are they alike? How are they different? Is it possible to argue that Macbeth is the play’s villain and Macduff or Banquo its hero? Is the matter more complicated than that? Macbeth is the â€Å"bravest† soldier, very noble, courageous. He is also the honorable Thane of Glamis, but he is not a virtuous one. Macduff is very loyal Scottish nobleman, courageous and is also a Thane of a city. Banquo is a brave, courageous noble general who like Macbeth thinks ambitiousRead MoreDepartment 19 Villains1170 Words   |  5 Pagesof the three texts; Department 19 by Will Hill, ‘Macbeth’ the play and The Social Network by David Fincher, it is evident that literary villains are archetypes that often represent the evil side of human nature. One may argue that each villain has certain traits that allow the reader to be drawn to the terror and horror of their deeds yet also allow readers to reflect upon the society that has created such individuals. Authors stray their villains from the stereotype to keep the modern audience engaged