How Does Shakespeare Presents Many Shades Of Evil

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Shakespeare presents many shades of evil, Macbeth. To what extent do you agree? Throughout the play, Shakespeare presents many shades of evil in Macbeth, particularly in his interactions with the witches pushed by prophecy. This is foreshadowed in the first lines of the play “fair is foul and foul is fair, hovering through the fog and filthy air” and the quote “And make my seated heart knock at my ribs”. This quote highlights Macbeth's anxiety at the thought of slaughtering good king Duncan. This could foreshadow his later deterioration, physically and mentally. Shakespeare also employed pathetic fallacy to signify this with the crashing of thunder and lightning above the Scottish moor. This brings into focus an ominous feel to the audience …show more content…

He mimics the witches lang.. Initially Shakespeare conveys Macbeth to be fixated on morality and good. The dangers in Macbeth echo real history in Macbeth, such as the failed assassination attempts of King James I. The gunpowder plot, a failed attempt at the assassination attempt of King James I in 1605, was a clear example of the political instability at the time that added to the increased suspicion and contributed to the uneasy atmosphere. Regicide, especially in the Jacobean era, was seen as the most dreadful crime shown in the Divine right of kings, going against God. Therefore, Macbeth’s crime was seen by the audience to be one of the most controversial in society at the time. Externally, Macbeth is portrayed as a valiant and brave warrior who is highly admired of by his comrades and King Duncan. Macbeth is a noble, loving, and caring character. In (Act 1 Scene 2) “For brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name. This quote shows him as a valiant soldier. This praise produces an image …show more content…

The quote reinforces her manipulative nature and shows her readiness to choose violence “look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it”. Then we see Macbeth take responsibility as Lady Macbeth goes into a spiral of madness and cannot control herself any longer as a result of greed and yearning for power. They were very close before they worked together and shared most things together. This is demonstrated in the quote “She should of died hereafter”. This is an abrupt quote and he begins to become very philosophical in the quote. His fiend-like queen emphasises the evil within Lady Macbeth and the fear the audience may have of her. A Jacobean audience would be surprised by Lady Macbeth's evil as in society at the time. Females were often seen as subservient in their role in marriage. Women caught in the act of witchcraft were frequently executed. Jacobean theatre was used to seeing Shakespeare and tragedy. People may have been afraid to witness witchcraft happening. “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more” This quote in Act 1 Scene 3. Here we see Macbeth pleading for the witches to stay. “All hail to thee Thane of Cawdor (Act 1 scene 3). The witches prophecy act as a spark to Macbeth’s spiral to evil, however he still has a clean conscience here. Their prophecies place Macbeth on a path of betrayal and ambition, manipulating Macbeth’s mind. He immediately takes

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