Serial killers, many wonder why they murder others. Lovers, many wonder why they act differently once they fall in love. The answer is not all that easy to discern. Shakespeare offers his opinion on this matter in various plays, namely Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare argues that people act based on their fate, relationships, and their feelings. Fate is a mysterious idea and there is not much known about it, but Shakespeare toys with the idea that it can determine a person’s future. In Macbeth, the infamous Witches control the plot through their rhyme-speak and prophecies. The prophecies, given to Macbeth and Banquo, influenced the actions of Macbeth through the ideas that came from them. One such idea that Macbeth thought …show more content…
Not only did the prophecies push him to imagine new possibilities, but they opened Lady Macbeth’s mind to the idea of killing Duncan which she encouraged Macbeth to execute. On the other hand, fate appears in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a way to control the plot through the use of a magical element, namely a love potion. The love potion, extracted from a magical flower shot by Cupid’s love arrow, used by the fairies and Oberon to punish Titania and to rectify the four lovers’ situation. The love potion is obtained by squeezing the flower and then if it applied to the eyelids of someone who is sleeping, it transfixes the unsuspecting individual into loving the next person that they see. Oberon, the King of the fairies, intervened and used the potion when he wanted to make everyone happy and to solve his own problems with Titania. Lysander and Demetrius were enamored with Hermia, while Hermia loved only Lysander, and Helena loved Demetrius. This left Helena wanting something that she would never obtain, Demetrius’ love. Oberon saw the plight of Helena and decided that he was going to rectify the dilemma by making Demetrius love Helena through the use of the love potion. In a …show more content…
Relationships, in particular familial relationships, affect the person’s choices by catering towards ideas that are beneficial to the relationships. In Macbeth, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship affects the plot as Lady Macbeth motivates Macbeth to kill Duncan and fulfill the prophecies. Lady Macbeth not only drove her husband to murder Duncan, but to act upon his natural ambition. In short, Lady Macbeth acted in what she thought was her husband’s interest, but in a wicked turn of events these actions led to the guilt that caused her to commit suicide. Not only does Shakespeare use characters to compare them as foils in Macbeth, but he does the same in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the relationship of Oberon and Titania led to Oberon obtaining the love potion that spurred the plot of the play. When Oberon could not get his way with Titania, he drugged her with the love potion in revenge. She fell in love with an ass and the revenge was complete. Once Oberon had gotten his way and was certain that the punishment was sufficient, he removed the effect of the potion from Titania. Relationships affect a person’s judgment, but feelings spur people to make
It has been said that one’s fate lies in one’s own hands; however, when one tries to use free will to rush this fate, the consequences are dire. In the tragedy, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the character Banquo as a foil to Macbeth to highlight the differences in their personalities and actions. Banquo embodies the belief that fate should run its course; in this way, Banquo represents nature. On the other hand, Macbeth utilizes free will to try to rush time to reach his fate faster. These characteristics are displayed as Macbeth and Banquo hear their fates from the witches and act in response to those prophecies throughout the play. The distinct characteristics of the two demonstrate the clash between fate and free will throughout Macbeth.
his face whereas in the BBC's we can see the top half of his body.
A quote which really defines Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s ambition regarding power is “Power does not corrupt men; fools; however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power” George Bernard Shaw. Lady Macbeth is more ambitious in terms of gaining power then Macbeth is and that Lady Macbeth will do almost anything to gain power, even evil things that she normally wouldn’t do. This is shown when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth learn about the witches’ predictions, then roles in the plans to murder king Duncan in order to gain power and then finally after the murder, Macbeth doesn’t want to finish the plan making Lady Macbeth angry and causing a chance they might get caught and gain no power at all.
In the play The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the character Macbeth acts on free will as opposed to fate. The definition of free will is having the ability to make a choice; including the possession of options, logical reasoning for choosing each option, as well as understanding the consequences of each decision. Macbeth obeys all the criteria, using “fate” as an excuse to act like a murder-crazy lunatic, ultimately resulting in his demise.
The effect fate has first appears in Macbeth when Lady Macbeth receives the witches’ letter telling of a prophecy. This prophecy reveals that Macbeth will seize the crown, and
Although Macbeth thinks nothing of the prophecy Lady Macbeth believes that he needs to seize this opportunity to seize the thrown. This motive sits within her thoughts that fate does not make things happen, it needs help in order to come true (Macbeth and Fate, n.d.). These initial thoughts of Lady Macbeth would cause the reader to think that she is more influenced by fate than Macbeth himself. Macbeth also has a moment that tells the reader that he also believes that fate is real. Before he goes to kill Duncan, Macbeth goes into a monologue about how he knows he is entering a battle with fate. He challenges fate to a battle during his preparations for the murder, knowing that this fight he is entering will be long and hard but he will not surrender to fate itself. This also changes Macbeth’s thoughts on the prophecy, he originally thought of the prophecy as “chance”, but after his decision to kill Duncan Macbeth no longer wants to leave anything to chance (Macbeth and Fate, n.d.). After the murder of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth hears hi fate once again. This time
Love plays a very significant role in this Shakespearian comedy, as it is the driving force of the play: Hermia and Lysander’s forbidden love and their choice to flee Athens is what sets the plot into motion. Love is also what drives many of the characters, and through readers’ perspectives, their actions may seem strange, even comical to us: from Helena pursuing Demetrius and risking her reputation, to fairy queen Titania falling in love with Bottom. However, all these things are done out of love. In conclusion, A Midsummer Night’s Dream displays the blindness of love and how it greatly contradicts with reason.
Fate and supernatural are inevitably linked, they manipulate and motivate the main protagonist, Macbeth to explore tragic hero traits. The supernatural aspect of the play initially causes hubris within Macbeth. His first encounter with the supernatural force is when him and Banquo come across three strange witches, who predict their future prophecies. After Macbeth is named thane of Cawdor, one of the witches prophecies, Macbeth experiences a sudden pride and arrogance, causing him to misinterpret the meaning of fate. Macbeth attempts to master fate, taking desperate measures to assure it follows his ideal path, instead of letting it play out. Yet fate doesn't operate in such a manner, he is constantly fighting against the witches prophecies,
Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Where there is love, there is life. ” Love is one of the best things that we all get to experience in life. Love is the spice of the human life; it can be fickle and confusing at times, however, it is always very rewarding. Love and relationships are the dominant theme in Shakespeare’s book, a midsummer night’s dream. The the different kinds of love that stand out in this book are true love, parental love, and complicated love
Villains are crafty and skillful while using their mastery of manipulation in an attempt to gain power. Shakespeare presents the tragedies, Macbeth and Othello as plays filled with plots driven by manipulation. Shakespeare uses the power of language in the characters Iago and Lady Macbeth by using influential rhetoric to sway those around them and also lead to the deadly downfall of Othello and Macbeth. In both of their cases, Shakespeare reveals the power of power because when things do not go according to plan, their own downfall is inevitable as well. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s actions show that women too can have the ambitions that men have and perhaps be just as devious and evil. It is this ambition and ease of cruelty that fuels her manipulation. She is considered to be masculine in her character because she takes an affirmative role while supporting and persuading a weak and fearful husband. Shakespeare allows Lady Macbeth to cast out her femininity, allowing her to pursue her murderous actions. Her influence over her husband reveals his weaknesses and the weaknesses of men. Iago on the other hand is consumed with envy and seeks revenge over Othello. His consistent deceit and ease of manipulation allows us to see his amoral nature. Shakespeare allows the audience a connection to Iago, one finds themselves intrigued by his evil actions. Pointing to the evil we all have within us Shakespeare allows his audience to live through Iago. Lady Macbeth and Iago both have the advantage of knowing their counterparts very well, thus, are able to scheme and manipulate by using their weaknesses against them.
Fate is inevitable, but how you choose to let it control you is your decision. Macbeth had been told his fate by the three witches, which lead to his demise. The witches told Macbeth that he shall be thane of Glamis, Thane
The three witches told Macbeth his fate. The events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the choice he made but also the witches prophesy and making him believe that he was all powerful. Throughout the play we can notice a downfall for Macbeth which is known as a turning for him as a character and a king. Due to the witches prophecy of witches telling him he was going to be king but also, free-will and him wanting more and killing people to gain the throne which causes the events of time to crumble. As we began to unfold Macbeth we begin to realize that Macbeth suffers throughout the play because of the decisions he has made. For that reason Macbeth fate was predetermine however, he chose to deal with them differently which changed Macbeth’s
Hermia and Lysander are forbidden by their families, Helena and Demetrius qquwkare engaged to different people. Bottom and Titania both love each other despite the circumstances. Shakespeare shows that anything can happen in a dream, as a dream is not natural. Love is not only apparent in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but also in anyone of Shakespeare’s plays. Love is found everywhere and is the conflict to almost every good film. The recipe for a good tale is one with a protagonist who has a love interest. From The Titanic to Scarface, from The Great Gatsby to The Scarlet Letter, love can be found in each of these masterpieces. It is what grasps the audience’s attention. A decent love story can make someone feel alive, heartbroken, or exasperated. What is life without love? A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an existing tale that contradicts Geisel’s opinion. It shows that even sometimes, dreams are better than
Destiny is regularly verbalized to be tweaked and fortune is by one 's own particular shot. The witches express to Macbeth he will be king be that as it may, what they don 't let him know is the manner by which he will accomplish the category of the king. His predetermination is to end up king yet how precisely he goes about,becoming the king is all up to him. Fate may dictate what is going to happen but destiny comes by chance. The way Macbeth chooses to become king is by his own free
In a vast majority of William Shakespeare 's plays love in its multiple forms is a prominent theme but it is romantic love that takes the main role in both A Midsummer Nights Dream and Othello. However in both these mentioned plays, romantic love is portrayed in very different ways, which shouldn 't seem too odd given that the two play are at different end of the spectrum, one being a comedy and the other being a tragedy. Yes, of course, some of the love stories in these plays have their similarities but the end results are so drastically different that it is hard to even imagine that these love stories are ultimately the same. Despite some stints of manipulation from outside sources the love displayed in A Midsummer Nights Dream, for the most