Shadow And Darkness In Macbeth Essay

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Ryan Stremick
Macbeth Essay
May 21, 2014
Mors Perversionem Naturae Mutilationis
Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, which humans tend to have naturally, independently of the influence of culture. It will make people do so many things, some wise and other actions, distasteful; for it bonds us, guides us, and leads us to our destiny. However, where there was light, there was shadow and darkness for the two are forever intertwined within the fabric of nature. Because of this, there are those that would seek to destroy that fabric, willingly or no.
Macbeth was set in a society ruled by feudalism, fueled by loyalty and trust. On a more day to day relationship: comradeship in warfare, hospitality of host towards guest, and the loyalty between husband and wife. In this play, all these basic societal relationships are perverted or broken. Lady Macbeth's domination over her husband, Macbeth's treacherous act of regicide, and his destruction of comradely and family bonds, all go against the natural order of things. These actions can also have another name; corruption.
Throughout The Tragedy of Macbeth, we see Macbeth change from a noble and brave soldier, loved by all, into a mere shadow, servant of darkness. We meet Macbeth after a battle, the result of which has him named Thane of Cawdor. From this position, he falls to a paranoid man willing to do anything to remain in power. This fall can be seen soon after the murdering of Duncan, when Macbeth soon finds that he has an insatiable need to kill Banquo.
Afraid that Banquo was going to be a problem for him due to arising suspicions that Macbeth played a role in Duncan's murder, "Our fe...

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... To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair/ Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir, /As life were in't. I have supped full with horrors: /Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, /Cannot once start me." (5.5.9-15). As we can see, Macbeth was now a very corrupt and troubled man.
Macbeth was a character who fell a long way from his state of mind and morality. He was tempted by the witches, and from this temptation, he began his evil reign of terror by murdering Duncan, his king and friend; spawning a doomed change of events that tempered Macbeth to the point where he became more willing to murder. From this, we saw that Macbeth was no longer able to function as an honorable and virtuous king by the end of the play. He had given up his noble state to reach his desire, and by doing so lost his ability to do Good; Evil corrupted his very nature.

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