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Shaping Minor Characters In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

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The incorporation of important and plot-shaping minor characters within the play Macbeth showcases how something so little can shape someone's entire existence In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, we see many characters such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Malcolm, and Macduff who play key roles in shaping the plot of the play, as they are the major characters. However, the minor characters we see so briefly, such as Lady Macduff and Duncan serve a larger meaning than you may think, as their murders and lives shape Macbeth's entire persona, on his bloody and gruesome journey to the thrown. Duncan plays a vital role within Macbeth but is only truly there in the very beginning. His murder is the start of Macbeth's craze for power, as he will now take down anything and anyone in his way to get to the top. This first murder is crucial to the plot as it seems to be the murder that leaves both Macbeths traumatized, but also leaves Macbeth unfulfilled. Duncan was a well-respected and loved …show more content…

When we see Lady Macduff, we see a passionate woman who is loyal to her family. She portrays good morals and is overall a very good mother and wife, in opposition to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth pushes her husband into doing things just for her pleasure, as all she truly cared about was a crown on her head. Lady Macduff declares her husband a traitor, as he leaves her to tend to her family all alone, but still cared about his safety and wanted the best for him. In this one singular scene, we see Lady Macduff, who is murdered by the king, as he feels the need to punish them for the problems her husband has caused in his rise to power. The inclusion of the murders of Lady Macduff, her son, and their servant portrays Macbeth's need for power as he commits this murder with a smile on his face. This truly showcases the evolution of his lust for complete control, as he will soon pay for this

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