Macbeth Essay (Draft Copy)
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 2 is the most significant because it foreshadows that Macbeth will have an inner conflict, develops on Lady Macbeth’s dominance in her relationship, and revolves around the central theme of “ambition”. In this scene, Lady Macbeth meets Macbeth in the courtyard after he murders Duncan. Macbeth is clearly disturbed by what he has done. Lady Macbeth lectures him on his manhood, and leaves to kill the soldiers. Firstly, this scene is significant because it foreshadows that Macbeth will have an inner conflict. Macbeth is disturbed by his actions and thinks he will never rest peacefully again. Secondly, this scene is significant because it shows Lady Macbeth as the dominant spouse.
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She continuously lectures Macbeth about his manhood, and tells him not to think so much about what is done. “These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad” (II.ii.45-46). Lady Macbeth (at this point) does not think too much of the murder, and tells Macbeth to do the same, or otherwise it would make them insane. This is ironic, because in Act 5, Scene 1, when Macbeth’s deed has long left his mind, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and refers to this conversation. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth plays the more ‘manly’ part in this scene. When Macbeth brings the daggers, and is too scared to go back, it is Lady Macbeth that kills the guards. “My hands are of your colour; but I shame to wear a heart so white” (II.ii.81-82).
Lady Macbeth uses these metaphors to refer to the blood on their hand, and the fear in Macbeth’s heart. Therefore, showing Lady Macbeth’s dominance over Macbeth.
Finally, this scene is significant as it revolves around the central theme of ambition. Ambition has been one of the biggest themes in Macbeth since the beginning that is further built on in this scene. In order to gain power, Macbeth goes as far as to kill his own cousin. At the same time, Lady Macbeth’s afraid that if Macbeth is unsuccessful, it would ruin them. “And ‘tis not done: the attempt and not the deed confounds us.” (II.ii.14-15). Lady Macbeth hears a voice and thinks that Macbeth
This scene features Lady Macbeth speaking to herself; expressing her thoughts out loud. She speaks of killing Duncan: “The raven himself is hoarse/ That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan” (45-46). She then calls upon the spirits to assist her in murder (47-51). Shakespeare uses words with negative connotations, such as “hoarse”, “croaks”, “cruelty”, and “blood” (45-50).
Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tragedy that involves many themes, one that stood out to me is grief. I will show how the grief of Lady Macbeth lead her and her husband to their bitter ends. Grief changes people and that can cause them to do things that they normally would not have done in an attempt to deal with it and move on.
In Act 2, scene 2, 18-19, it states, “(looking at his bloody hands) This is a sorry sight. That’s a stupid thing to say...” says Lady Macbeth. We can infer that Macbeth feels remorse and sorrow after seeing the sight of his hands covered with the blood of King Duncan, whom he has just murdered. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth finds it foolish to get all emotional about such a manly deed of courage.
Macbeth come across the three witches, there they state, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” (Act 1, Scene 3). In reply to the three witches, Macbeth demanded “stay you imperfect speakers! Tell me more”. With just these few statements announced, Macbeth’s thirst for power and glory arises and is clearly seen.
Like all of Shakespeare’s other plays, “Macbeth’s” protagonist Macbeth is incredibly successful but suffers from one fatal flaw, his great ambition. His ambition will be the cause of his great success but ultimately also of his downfall. The man’s ambition drives him to seize every opportunity to promote his own agenda. His ambition hurts him the most when he decides to kill King Duncan and Macduff.
Act 2, scene 2 is quite an important scene in Macbeth, since it marks the changes of the characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Their thoughts and emotions are presented in this particular scene. It shows the different roles that they play and how much they have been influenced by the witches’ prophecies. Lady Macbeth claims to be courageous in the beginning of the scene, by saying ‘that which hath made them drunk made me bold’. She seems to be very keen about this murder and very confident, and the fact that she was alone on stage emphasises it.
Lady Macbeth’s strong character portrayed in Act I Scene V creates suspicion of dark events later in the play. In the play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth reveals her true character in her speech and foreshadows King Duncan’s death. Throughout her speech, Lady Macbeth reveals her lust for power and desire to kill Duncan to become queen. Although Lady Macbeth’s character is recently introduced into the play, she reveals her true self as a sadistic and covetous person which foreshadows the murder of King Duncan and Macbeth’s prophesied future.
Through the imagery and diction used in this soliloquy, Lady Macbeth reveals what traits she possesses that make her able to manifest such a wicked idea. Her determination, while admirable, is almost manic, and it is clear by the end of the soliloquy that her character has what it takes to commit a
Shakespeare Selected Plays Imtiaz Jbareen 204495170 A Close Reading of Macbeth Shakespeare’s brilliance lies within subtle details. Therefore, a close reading of his plays, including Macbeth, presents an insight into the structure of the play. Once this is accomplished, one reaches an understanding of the play and characters through their speeches. This paper discusses Act 2 Scene 1, Macbeth’s soliloquy.
Macbeth’s ambition is one of the most prominent things that drive Macbeth in the play and truly becomes evident when he hears of the Witches prophecies. When the witches stop talking, he demands to know more. “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more” (I, III, 73-74). This portrays his excessive curiosity on the subject as well as his craving for more desirable prophecies. This ambitious nature and craving for power is also demonstrated only moments after hearing the witches, when he starts formulating a plan to kill Duncan in order to make the third prophecy come true.
Her ambition is not only for herself but also for Macbeth. Nevertheless, with all her fervor, she wants him to be as strong as her. “Make thick my blood./Stop up the access and passage to remorse,/That no compunctious visitings of nature/ Shake my fell purpose/Come to my woman’s breasts,/And take my milk for gall” (1.5.44-49). Lady Macbeth never wavers in her goal.
“I laid the daggers ready; he could not miss em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.” (II, ii, 11-13) Lady Macbeth is only strong enough to
Macbeth is a play written during the 16th century by William Shakespeare. As similar to other plays written by Shakespeare, the play is not totally original. They came from facts and events that are happening during the time it was written (“Background to Macbeth”). Macbeth can be seen as a dark play as it portrays the idea of evilness through characterization and have events like murder happening throughout the story. Throughout the play, Shakespeare inserted various features to make his writing more powerful.
Another way in which she tries to settle Macbeth is by reminding him of the “air-drawn dagger” that appeared in front of him but was not real. Lady Macbeth could have left Macbeth to make a fool of himself at the banquet, but instead with her tender heart she rushed to help him even after all the wrong he had
This conveys Macbeth’s character at the beginning to be a misrepresentation because for him to have killed Duncan who was his king and cousin as well as Banquo a friend and man who he fought alongside in the war is not the actions of a noble man. However, he first acts on his ambition in (2.1) when Macbeth makes his “is this dagger before me” speech; he acknowledges that what he sees is not real, but through this vaulting ambition he visualizes the dagger as sign that he should kill Duncan. After he kills Duncan it is apparent that his