The writing of Shakespeare is often known for being efficient with characters and objects. Particularly, in Macbeth, Shakespeare uses a great deal of symbolism and imagery, which is a demonstration of this efficiency. However, he does not make the identity of the Third Murderer clear to the audience. Two academic authors, Irving and Saenger, offered varying interpretations. Irving is a proponent of the Third Murderer being the Attendant, which may make sense to a logical audience. On the other hand, Saenger claims the Third Murderer is Seyton, which would yield a more dramatic effect. Irving believes that the Attendant is the Third Murderer because of how Macbeth addresses him, while Saenger suggests Seyton is the Third Murderer due to the …show more content…
description of a satanic aura around the Third Murderer. In his claim, Irving begins by stating, “Macbeth offers what little he does say to this Attendant in a tone of marked contempt” (147).
The tone Macbeth uses alludes to the idea that Macbeth is confident that the Attendant will do as he commands no matter how demeaning the task. This arrogance demonstrated by Macbeth shows how little he cares about what the Attendant tells others. Irving also believes the Attendant “was ordered to watch [the other two murderers]” (148). Irving’s point is an example of the practical application for the Attendant being the Third Murderer. Since Macbeth has control over the Attendant, Irving’s argument makes sense that Macbeth “secures himself a check upon the two murderers in the person of this attendant who is made as an accomplice, and whose lips are sealed” (148). In addition to Macbeth’s control over the Attendant, Irving also mentions that the Third Murderer is said to have been highly familiar with the palace grounds (149). This description of the Third Murderer makes it even more likely that the Attendant, who is well versed in the palace grounds, is the Third Murderer. Therefore, from a logical standpoint, the Attendant fits the role of the Third …show more content…
Murderer. On the other hand, Saenger begins by calling to mind the time period in which Macbeth was written by stating, “Macbeth, which has been so productive in generating superstition in recent centuries, may have incorporated folk belief in his first performances, borrowing a sensation of real fear” (135).
This “superstition” comes from Marlow’s Doctor Faustus, from which Saegner believes Shakespeare took inspiration. Saegner also mentions that there were two accounts of a visible apparition of the devil appearing on the stage during a performance of Doctor Faustus (134). Furthermore, Saenger, quoting Nosworthy, writes that the Third Murderer is described as having a “satanic aura” (134). Saegner also believes, “[an audience of Shakespeare’s time] could have recognized in the Third Murderer a suggestion of the popular Faustus story” (134). He continues to say that since the Third Murderer was left up to the audience’s imagination the people of the time would have assumed that the Third Murderer was Seyton because of how neatly the Faustus story fits. Saenger’s perspective coupled with the offbeat name of Seyton may have led audiences of Shakespeare’s plays to believe the Third Murderer was
Seyton. While Irving’s theory may not be the most exciting, it seems to fit in most logically with the plot of the play. However, I would like to believe that the Third Murderer was Seyton. Even though logically Irving’s argument is more grounded, one has to remember that Macbeth is fictional and can therefore be as preposterous as the reader may imagine. Saenger’s argument may be more farfetched, but it does align with the superstition in the play. The thought of Seyton being the Third Murderer compliments the superstition provided by the witches. Moreover, Saenger says, “the third murderer simultaneously generates real horror and a hint of disengaged laughter at the fiction” (135). This statement is very much in alignment with the fear of Satan’s supposed appearances in plays of Shakespeare’s time period. In addition, it seems fitting for Seyton to be in the play as symbolism for Macbeth giving into the temptation of excessive ambition. In conclusion, each perspective of Irving and Saenger has its merit; however, Saenger’s theory, of who the Third Murderer is, is much for exciting for fiction of Shakespeare. And, yes, while logically it may make sense for the Attendant to be the Third Murderer, Shakespeare’s consistent use of symbolism and inspiration from Doctor Faustus only further leads me to believe Seyton was the Third Murderer.
There is a man who is a head of state. He is a very powerful man and is
There is much speculation as to who the third murderer is who assisted in the slaying of Banquo. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and one of the Weird sisters are a few of the best candidates as to filling this role. Each of these three main characters has their own motive as to why they would want to join in on the assassination. Out of these three possibilities of filling this third murderer's role, all have reasons as to why they could or could not fill the position.
In Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the third murderers identity is unknown and it is never revealed at the end of the play. But there are some clues throughout the story that suggests Lady Macbeth could be the unknown third murderer. Lady Macbeth could be the third murderer in Macbeth because she shows signs of wanting to be like a man, she is the one that influenced Macbeth to kill Duncan, and because she shows signs of extreme guilt later in the story. With these three pieces of evidence, Lady Macbeth is shown to be the third murderer in Macbeth.
In understanding the art form of expression in various ways like music and play writes, it brings together this sense of self identity that the artist wants to fulfill. Having this understanding about the life behind the scene, screen, and/or stage. My paper will present two art forms music by 50 cent “Many Men” and William Shakespeare play “Macbeth” in which I will describe similarities among the characters. My four categories for 50 cent and Macbeth are as follow Greed, Savage, Survivor and Success.
We certainly know that the direct responsible for Duncan’s death is Macbeth. However this does not necessarily mean he is to blame, for his violent death is obviously the consequence of certain influences that forced Macbeth to perform his fatal deed. Furthermore, to unearth the truth about who is really the guilty for Duncan’s murder we must explore the influences the different characters have on Macbeth’s impulses and the overall scenario of the slaying.
Good day. Today I will prove to you that Macbeth, the king of Scotland, is innocent. It is outrageous that anyone in this courtroom should think otherwise. There are three key factors to consider before it is possible to make any judgment concerning the murderer of Duncan. First of all, before fingers are pointed at Macbeth, I ask you to consider if he is the only suspicious person? A murderer must have a motive and an opportunity. Obviously, there are several candidates that fit this category. Also, before you can reach a final decision, you must consider the character of the individual. Macbeth is a man of the finest character; he does not have the nature of a cold-blooded killer. I am sure you will agree with me long before you go into the jury room. Finally, the will of the gods must be taken into consideration. It is not within the powers of mortals, even important mortals like Macbeth, to change the future as determined by the stars. I am confident that you, dear jury, will consider the three factors I will shortly describe and realize that Macbeth is a most unlikely suspect.
Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, portrays Macbeth as a kinsman, subject and trusted friend to King Duncan I of Scotland. A trusted friend, that is, until Macbeth has a chance encounter with the “three witches” (Shakespeare) or the “Weird Sisters”. The witches predict that Macbeth will become the next King and that his fellow companion, Banquo, will be the father of a line of kings. A change comes over Macbeth after his meeting; he is no longer content to be a follower of the King, he will “be” King at any cost. After killing the King and his friend Banquo, losing his wife to madness and ordering the execution of many, Macbeth is killed in much the same fashion as he has killed. But does this really reflect the real King MacBeth of Scotland? While examining the characteristics and actions of the two Macbeths and decide if Shakespeare’s writing was historically sound or was it just “double, double, toil and trouble” (4.1.22-26) playing with MacBeth’s character.
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.
Shakespeare's play Macbeth incorporates many elements of mystery. In particular, the mystery surrounding the identity of the Third Murderer in (III, iii, 79), which oddly enough has thirty-three lines in it, is a topic of debate in many conversations about Macbeth. The focus of this paper is on the identity of the Third Murderer and the facts and restrictions on the people suspected. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Ross, and the Weird Sisters all have surfaced as the most prominent choices for the true identity of the anonymous Third Murderer.
There was a common saying, “Behind every great man there's a great woman”. The men, Macbeth and Winston Smith in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and George Orwell’s 1984 may not be considered as the “great man” however, both Lady Macbeth and Julia are good examples that can be presented as the “great woman” behind the men. Both Lady Macbeth and Julia do an excellent job of pretending to be someone who they are not, they are not only affecting the men in their lives to rethink their previous position but also have a bad ending accompanied with physical and psychological issues.
The Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Throughout the play of "Macbeth" written by William Shakespeare there is an on-going relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This relationship is one of the functions of the play that creates most of the actions, reactions, moods, feelings and attitudes. Macbeth's relationship with his wife was not always great. This is shown in one of there conversations; MACBETH: "We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. "(Macbeth,I,vii, )
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he is too scared to even carry the daggers back into the king’s chamber. When the king’s body is discovered, he kills the two guards that were in Duncan’s room, and places the blame for the murderous deed upon them. His fear forces him to act this way in order to make him seem innocent. Macbeth’s fear of being caught acts as an indicator of his guilt; however at first none of the other characters are able to realize this.
Macbeth: Shakespeare's Comparisons and Contrasts. Throughout Macbeth Shakespeare uses comparison and contrast to bring out characteristics of his main character, Macbeth. Shakespeare uses comparisons with Duncan, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo to bring out aspects of Macbeth's character. After hearing of Macbeth's courageousness on the battlefield, Duncan, a good and honest king, bestows the title of Cawdor on Macbeth.
William Shakespeare's play Macbeth is a five-act drama that shows a clear example of how pride, greed, and power can alter a man's actions and personality. The taste of power blinds the story's main character, Macbeth. Sparked by Lady Macbeth, he becomes heartless and cruel as he kills anyone who is a threat to his power due to his paranoia of losing the throne. This fear ironically leads to his downfall and loss of the throne. The theme of the story is deceit and evil and how they affect a man's decisions. Critics pose interesting views concerning the identity and significance of the mysterious third murderer.
The underlining fact in the play is that Macbeth kills these people all by himself, there is no accomplice and therefore if this were brought to a court of law the only person who would be found guilty of murder would be Macbeth. There is no crime for saying “go and kill that person,” there is only a crime for actually killing a person. Also, Macbeth’s killings resulted in Macbeth gaining a position of power he wanted. He says “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies.