Murder, once committed causes countless detrimental effects to follow instantaneously affecting not just the victim but countless others, including the culprits themselves. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone, both authors are able to build a major theme common to the works, that bloodshed can only lead to more bloodshed, through the character development of Macbeth and Ishmael Beah. Macbeth and Beah are forced into the vicious cycle of bloodshed, by a force greater than their own, through the act of a single murder. As these characters realize they no longer have the option of turning back, they begin to fear that they might lose what they value most through violence as they quickly see that they are engulfed …show more content…
in the cycle of bloodshed. Although both characters are trapped in a seemingly endless spiral, the actions that either character committed which caused them to enter the cycle will dictate the different consequences that will take effect when the cycle is broken. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses a hyperbole in conjunction with an allusion to demonstrate that Macbeth has entered the cycle of violence. In early Act 2, Macbeth has just committed the act of murder against the beloved King Duncan, who is also his own cousin. Although, Macbeth has murdered before it was on account of a noble cause, whereas this was the first murder that left his hands covered in unrighteous blood. As Macbeth is overcome with emotions, he states “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? / No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red” (Shakespeare 2.2.63-66). By Macbeth claiming that even “great Neptune’s ocean” will not be able to clean the blood off his hand, when it is clear to the reader that a small amount of water can physically wash off the blood, suggests that it is not Macbeth’s body that bears the scars of the murder but rather his soul. Through the use of this hyperbole that so much water cannot cleanse his hands clearly depicts the severity of the murder as the was not the execution of the common man but the murder the very representation of God on earth. Shakespeare shows that it is not Macbeth's body that had been stained by the murder, but his soul which cannot be cleansed of such a malicious act, with a feeling of instant regret being felt throughout this passage. Through the use of an allusion to Greek mythology through a reference to Neptune, Shakespeare implements the idea of forces greater than Macbeth’s own, such as almighty Gods which have pushed him into the cycle of bloodshed and will restrict him there, as he no longer has control over his impulses, as more murder is certain to follow. Likewise, in A Long Way Gone as Ishmael takes his first life, his soul is instantly tainted with the blood of this murder. Ishmael has seen many dead bodies throughout the course of this war, but was never the cause of any them. As Ishmael runs onto the battleground of his first armed firefight as he is about to take a life, he states “My face, my hands, my shirt and gun were covered with blood. I raised my gun and pulled the trigger, and I killed a man. Suddenly, as if someone was shooting them inside my brain, all the massacres I had seen since the day I was touched by war began flashing in my head” (Beah 119). As Beah crosses the line from innocent to murderer something snaps inside of him. As all of the horrific memories flash before his eyes, the innocent and frightened Ishmael dies, and the hardened killing machine Ishmael is born. Beah speaks to the reader with the phrase “I killed a man”, which sheds a darker light on Ishmael's character as we see this descent into violence. In addition, this is a statement that most people have never heard uttered, other than in horror movies, throughout the entirety of their lives, as soldiers or killers like Beah do not often live to tell their story. This generates a very similar idea as to the one found in Macbeth, showing that both characters have been launched into a vicious cycle, as once blood is drawn, there will be more to follow, as Macbeth’s soul is tainted, whilst Ishmael has learned to kill. This once again enforces the theme that bloodshed can only lead to more bloodshed. In Macbeth, the murder of one person requires the murder of another. Once Macbeth has killed Duncan and Banquo he realizes that he has spilled too much blood and it would be easier to continue down the path of murder than it would to turn back. Nearing the end of Act 3 as Macbeth contemplates what his course of action should entail, he “rationally” states, “All causes shall give way. I am in blood / Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er. / [...] Which must be acted ere they may be scanned” (Shakespeare 3.4.136-140). Macbeth clearly shows that he has been propelled down a murderous course and now must finish the journey. The phrase “Which must be acted ere they may be scanned” shows that with Macbeth’s first murder he murdered not only the king but his sense of rational thinking, as the deranged Macbeth’s new sense of thinking believes that murder is the proper course of action for a person placed in his specific scenario. He must not take the time to realize the severity and consequences of his actions, as this would bring him back to a shocking reality, a world with rules, which he is no longer fit for. Macbeth is also seen to have a fear of losing what he has gained, the throne, through the means of the same way he gained the position, violence. A metaphor is used as the “blood’’ he is stepping in is used to represent the crimes he has committed. Even a single murder had the power to force Macbeth into the cycle of bloodshed. A man as noble and wise as Macbeth cannot stray away, or escape from the acts of violence he has committed as trying to turn back would be more “tedious” than carrying forward with subsequent murders. This again reinforces the theme that bloodshed requires more bloodshed. Furthermore, in A Long Way Gone, Ishmael has detached from his former self as he is following the same murderous path as Macbeth, which is this time portrayed through the use of diction and personification. As Ishmael traverses through various villages that he has previously seized, he states “my squad was my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed” (Beah 126). Ishmael personifies his gun as his “provider” and “protector” which is significant as his family was once his “provider” and “protector”. Through this statement Ishmael effectively communicates that murder has changed him completely, he no longer lives the life of a child, but the life of a killer, as he does not have guidance from his family, but instead is guided by a gun which he now values as much as he once valued his own caregivers. A feeling of pathos is generated in the reader here as the reader begins to realize that it was not Ishmael’s own choices that shoved him into the confines of war, but a force greater than his own that landed him in such a position, the force of war. The fact that Ishmael now realizes that in his circumstance he must kill or be killed reinforces that either way, blood will only lead to more blood and injustice. As compared to Macbeth both protagonists have entered an inescapable path of homicide and cannot turn back, as for both characters they are so far from innocence that it would be easier to keep killing as neither Ishmael nor Macbeth retain a sense of rational thinking at this point in the journey. A clear parallel can be drawn as both characters are also left unsatisfied with their current positions and believe murder is the only way to retain what they have and move forward. As seen throughout the play it was an unrighteous murder that caused Macbeth to enter the cycle of bloodshed, which would ultimately determine his consequences when the cycle is broken.
Macbeth’s initial unjust murder was that of the loyal King of Scotland, which was followed by the subsequent murders of everyone close to him to protect his newfound position of King. Near the end of the novel, as Macbeth is feeling helpless and defeated, he states “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, / To the last syllable of recorded time; / And all our yesterdays have lighted fools” (5.5.18-21). Shakespeare conjures up the image of time in the reader's mind here through the use of connotative diction. Shakespeare uses the words “tomorrow”, “to day” and “yesterday” to show the entire complex of time, that it is not only the current moment or the past moment that Macbeth must suffer for his actions, but tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. The repetition of tomorrow also brings attention to the future and shows that Macbeth and his immortal soul will suffer the most, for all of eternity for what he has done. Although Macbeth was influenced by persuasive forces to commit murder it was no one’s hands but Macbeth’s own that were laced with the golden blood of his king. In the end it was Macbeth’s immoral decision that caused him to enter the spiral of bloodshed, and it is his soul that must suffer the consequences of his actions once the cycle is broken, with death, the ultimate punishment, soon to be brought upon this once brave and valiant
man. On the other hand, Ishmael Beah did not have a decision in whether or not he would become a murderer. The murders committed by this young boy were justified, in that if these murders were not carried out, Beah would lose his own life. Beah was a victim of war, and if he was not forced to, would never harm another living soul. Knowing this, a nurse at the rehabilitation centre Beah often attended told him “None of these things are your fault” (Beah 165). At first, Ishmael does not believe this statement as he believes that the murders he committed were unforgivable. However, after hearing this phrase numerous times he begins to realize that it was not his fault that he was engulfed in the situation he was, and it was rather his childhood and innocence that were victims in the war, not the fallen rebels who murdered people for the sake of war. For this, Ishmael achieved the ultimate reward of salvation and can also be viewed as a hero as he murdered not just for his own survival, but for the freedom of his people and the avenging of his family, in hopes of bringing liberty to his war-ridden country. He did not murder to protect something that did not rightfully belong to him, unlike Macbeth who murdered to protect the throne and for this, when the cycle of bloodshed is broken Beah will achieve salvation and freedom while Macbeth will have his immortal soul damned for unjust and unrighteous actions. Although both characters were stuck in the same cycle of bloodshed, it was the actions they committed that caused them to enter the situation that will determine the various consequences of their actions. Throughout the entirety of these works, the authors are able to demonstrate the similar theme of how bloodshed requires more bloodshed, most effectively through the progression of both characters’ journeys and actions. This is seen as both characters are plunged into the cycle of bloodshed through an initial murder. They begin to fear losing what they cherish most through means of murder as they realize that there is no longer the option of turning back. Even though these characters are stuck in a similar situation, it was by the intentions that either character had when committing the initial murder, that would eventually determine the effects to follow when the cycle was shattered.
In every tale of power and evil, there are similarities and differences to do with the antagonists and protagonists. In the Novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding and the Play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, there are analogues between the Lord of the Flies antagonist Jack, and Macbeth’s protagonist Macbeth. They both share a lust for power but too have different stories when it comes to that lust for evil.
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.
Macbeth cold-heartedly states that Lady Macbeth would have died sooner or later, and that this news was bound to come someday. This behaviour of Macbeth’s startles the audience, as how can one be so remorseless. Shakespeare has changed the character of Macbeth as a tyrant, who only cares about his power and nothing else.
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.
This essay earned a 89/100. it was a lot of work considering the lines from macbeth for textual support.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare examines the significance of time in the form of one’s present and future through the unfortunate character of Macbeth. Macbeth is an ordinary soldier, loyal to the king as the Thane of Glamis, prior to his meeting with the three witches. The three witches reveal to Macbeth his future “All, hail Macbeth! Hail to three, Thane of Cawdor! All, hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3. 49-50). For the most part one does not know his or her own future. Our futures are uncertain and predictions like these do not always come true, yet Shakespeare has set Macbeth up in a way that he knows these predictions will come true. Not long after the witches state their claims
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.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth has an optimistic view of time,“Come what come may, /:Time and the hour runs through the roughest day”(1.3.163-164). After hearing words that he will become king, he pushes the thoughts of killing Duncan to the back of his mind. After a period of self-doubt Macbeth decides to leave his fate to chance and that no matter what time will keep on going. However by the end of the play Macbeth realizes the inevitable passing of time in his famous soliloquy, saying, “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, /: Creeps in this petty pace from day to day” (5.5.22-3). The tone in his soliloquy is heavy and constant, emphasizing the burden of time. Macbeth says these words after hearing of Lady Macbeth’s suicide, so it makes sense that he is so distraught by time. This shows how Macbeth perceives time as cruel and
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.
Macbeth is swaying between the forces of good and evil. He wants to stop killing but he also wants to become king and in his mind the only way to do that is to kill whoever is in his path, saying “I am in blood/ Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more,/ Returning were as tedious as go o'er.” (3.4.168-170). Macbeth is already deep into this situation and if he were to turn back now, it would cause him greater hardship than relief. Macbeth has been dealing with this inner conflict ever since he was told by the weird sisters that he is fated to become king. This conflict ties everything together, between fate versus free will and sane or insane. Macbeth started the play as being a glorified war hero, however as time moved on he transformed into a bloodthirsty tyrant. Macbeth has gone through so much that he has shifted into a guilty man haunted by nightmares and hallucinations but will not stop until he gets what he came for. Macbeth has gone so far into the void of guilt that his name has now fell into infamy, as shown by quote by Young Siward saying “The devil himself could not pronounce a title/ More hateful to mine ear.” (5.7.10-11). Macbeth had already grown a name for himself while he kept his innocence, however with all the killings macbeth has made, he has done nothing but shame his name. Macbeth name to others is more hateful and there is nothing that Siward would rather do than to end Macbeth’s life, thus ending all the guilt and evil inside
The play written by William Shakespeare called “Macbeth” covers various themes through out the play. One of the many themes from the play is guilt is a strong behaviour. The key topics from the play are moral behaviour, loyalty, social distinction, revenge, witches. These ideas are applicable in our today’s society. The way of these ideas may be used differently in today’s society but follows the idea. In today’s society people react in a different manner from the “Macbeth” play but has the same idea about reacting to others. Some of the key ideas that the play contains can be compared to our today’s society. The way of reacting to these key ideas will be compared from the “Macbeth”
Macbeth rejects conformation to traditional gender roles in its portrayal of Lady Macbeth’s relationship with her husband, her morals and their effect on her actions, and her hunger for power. Her regard for Macbeth is one of low respect and beratement, an uncommon and most likely socially unacceptable attitude for a wife to have towards her spouse at the time. She often ignores morality and acts for the benefit of her husband, and subsequently herself. She is also very power-hungry and lets nothing stand in the way of her success. Lady Macbeth was a character which challenged expectations of women and feminism when it was written in the seventeenth century.
When anything in life first begins to grow, it begins as a seed. The seed of a plant, or of a thought, or of an idea. Once created, the seed can do one of two things. It can grow, or it can die. Shakespeare’s play Macbeth tells the story of an innocent man who is turned evil from the seeds planted by those around him, allowing readers to explore the repetition of growth and how it is implied through characters. Throughout the play, growth is used to display Macbeth and Banquo as foil characters, show Banquo’s “goodness” through positive imagery, and to show Macbeth’s “evilness” through negative growth imagery. By analyzing Shakespeare’s use of growth imagery, critical readers recognize that growth enforces the idea that growth triumphs evil, embodied in the actions and consequences of Macbeth and Banquo as they make one of two crucial choices? Good, or evil?
Shakespeare was a very intelligent man and in the passage tomorrow he kind of sums up everything in the play. He also makes Macbeth realize every wrong he did and how he lost everything. Ambition was one of the reasons he couldn't really realize all the harm he was doing to himself and to the loved ones around him. This passage also reflects on other issues he went through in the beginning of the play. The tomorrow passage of Macbeth reflects on a lot of what some of us go through like the looking back on the mistakes we made, how much of time we waste and the final would have to be the whole concept of chasing your own shadow.
Key elements in the play substantiate the fact that Macbeth is a serious story, the first elements of Aristotle’s definition. From the first lines of the play, the mood is set featuring witches whom speak of witchcraft, potions and apparitions. Not only do the three witches aid in making this a serious story but also, they appealed to Elizabethans whom at the time believed in such supernatural phenomena. War for centuries has represented killing and feuding, thus, the war taking place between Scotland and Norway provided a dark component. The Thane of Cawdor’s rapidly approaching execution due to his deceiving the king also plays a role in this grim work. Murder throughout all of Macbeth is an essential aspect when dealing with the seriousness of the play. From the beginning, Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to do anything to overthrow King Duncan, whom is the king of Scotland, the role Macbeth desperately yearns for. During the excursion to become king, Macbeth successfully murders King Duncan, Macduff’s wife and children, and with the help of a group of murderers Banquo; a brave general who will inherit the Scottish throne. Through the whole play, while such dank occurrences are used to create deep mood, Shakespeare also uses strong language and words. Such as when Lady Macbeth calls upon the gods to make her man-like so she will have the fortitude to kill King Duncan herself in this quote, “Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here… Make my blood thick… Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark.” This type of language provokes thoughts of death, blood and darkness though the imagery such dank words create. The play also follows through with its theme of blood by in the end of the play, having both of its lead characters die. Lady Macbeth, distraught by guilt over the bloodshed, commits suicide while Macbeth is murdered and beheaded by Macduff, a Scottish noblemen.