Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Analysis of Macbeth
Symbolism in the play of macbeth.pdf
Symbolism in the play of macbeth.pdf
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Analysis of Macbeth
Macbeth is easily blinded by his passions. Initially, Macbeth is seemed as a brave soldier and general who defeats the Viking intruders and the traitor Macdonwald. After the battle ends, Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches. When Macbeth was told by the three witches that he will gain power and ultimately become the king, he was shocked that his ambition to become the king is being exposed, as if the witches were able to read his mind. Immediately after the witches vanish, Macbeth is given the title “Thane of Cawdor” which proves the witches first prophecy. After the execution of Macdonwald, Duncan’s son Malcolm is given the title “Prince of Cumberland” which Malcolm will become the next king shall Duncan perishes. Macbeth becomes furious
At the novel’s start, Duncan is the present king of Scotland. A nobleman by the name of Ross informs Duncan of the present Thane of Cawdor’s deception and wrongdoing. He then tells Duncan about a brave soldier named Macbeth who fights for good. Duncan, angered by the news of the Thane, orders him to be executed, and for Macbeth to be pronounced Thane of Cawdor. After his decision, Duncan thinks to himself, “No more the Thane of Cawdor shall decieve our bosom interest…And with his former title greet Macbeth.” (i, ii) This is very ironic. He is positive that he will not be deceived again, but as shown later in the story he is, but he suffers more greatly from Macbeth’s deception.
A lot like Macbeth, the character Banquo was also a highly skilled soldier, and very much trusted by their king, even though Macbeth respects Banquo’s bravery he also fears his wisdom. While Macbeth is quick to action and has little to no time for thought Banquo chooses not to turn his thoughts into action, Banquo is however a lot more cautious as shown when he and Macbeth met the three witches. Banquo actually considers the reasons for what the witches are offering and later realizes they are telling him his future and thinks that the witches are attempting to make him greedy for power. Macbeth however reacts oppositely. Banquo actually considers the reasons for what the witches are offering and rather than thinking about the outcomes of his
Macbeth can never be secure without heirs of his own because of the other plans that have been stated due to the death of Duncan. Macbeth will constantly be worried of someone taking his throne. Both Macbeth and Banquo know that Macbeth will become king, but Banquo will beget future kings. Fate has a kingly plan for Banquo’s children. This frightens Macbeth into thinking that Banquo already has a plan to hasten the day of his heirs. This amount of fear drives Macbeth into contemplating on committing another murder to crush Fate’s kingly plans for Banquo’s children.
in battle against the rebel Macdonwald. "For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name). Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel. which smoked with bloody execution," Because of Macbeth's great valour and gallantry, Duncan declares that Macbeth should be the new Thane of Cawdor. While returning from the battle Macbeth and his fellow Scottish general, Banquo, encounters The Witches who address him as Thane.
After telling Macbeth that he will be king, they tell Banquo that his sons will be king. Macbeth remembers that fact, and acts upon it later. The witches vanish after giving their news of the future. The king's lords, Ross and Angus, come to tell Macbeth some great news. He will receive the title, Thane of Cawdor.
They prophesize fate and present it to Macbeth. When the witches first encounter Macbeth they greet him by saying, “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king thereafter!”(1.3, 51-53). Baffled by the witches’ loyalty, Macbeth is soon crowned Thane of Cawdor. He starts to gain confidence and promise in the witches’ prophecies, leading Macbeth to be driven to become king. This drive pushes him to kill King Duncan of Scotland. Though he allows his desireful and determined character to achieve his fate of becoming king, he suffers the consequences of severe guilt due to his lack of impatience. If Macbeth was not as ambitious, the thought of killing Duncan would have never crossed his mind. As his mind becomes more power hungry, Macbeth sends three murderers to kill Banquo. Banquo has a chance of becoming king and the only way for Macbeth to make sure that does not happen is if he kills Banquo. Macbeth’s mind is so corrupted that he is willing to kill his own friend to maintain his fate and through his, he shows the audience his true nature. Faced by fate, Macbeth’s ambitious actions eventually leads to his death. In the beginning of the tragedy Macbeth judgment is more ethical and clear. He utters that “[he has] no spur to prick the sides of [his] intent, but only vaulting
Shakespeare's tragic drama Macbeth features a man who is a Christian fighter. His life stands in contrast with that of the Macbeths. It is this Banquo about whom this essay will revolve.
In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is described as being “valiant”. He is a skilled warrior, who is loyal to his king and his country. Almost single-handedly, he wins the war for Scotland. He defeats many of the enemy soldiers, including a traitor, all in the name of his king. But, when three witches encounter Macbeth and his friend Banquo, Macbeth’s ambition begins to grow. They tell Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor and King. Soon after, Macbeth meets with King Duncan. He informs Macbeth that he is the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is astonished, and from then on he is obsessed with being king. His ambition begins to become ruthless when Duncan proclaims that his son Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland, and therefore, the heir to the throne: “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, /For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;/Let not light see my black and deep desires:/The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be/Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (I,iv,48-53) At this moment, Macbeth, realizing that they stand in the way of the witches’ prophecies, decides that both Duncan and Malcolm need to die for him to be king. As soon as Macbeth kills Duncan, he enters into a world of evil. Later in the play, Macbeth’s ambition becomes increasingly ruthless. He kills his best friend Banquo, and almost kills Banquo’s son, Fleance, because he believes they would stand in the way of his reign. The witches told Banquo “Thou shall get kings, though thou be none.” (I,iii,67) This means that Banquo himself would not be a king, but that his successors would be. Macbeth tries to prevent this by killing Banquo and his son Fleance.
Macbeth commits awful crimes because of his selfish desire of wanting to be king. Such would include; the regicide of king Duncan. Macbeth was the only one, between himself and Banquo, who had taken immediate action to fulfil his selfish desires. Lady Macbeth had taken advantage of Macbeth's manhood in order to help him feel confident with killing his good king Duncan. However, if the witches had never told him he’d never have had those feelings of selfishness and greed. Because the witches had told him, Macbeth would never have heard the prophecies,and the state of Scotland would never have taken a turn for the worst.
Macbeth is startled when he hears this prophecy. He believes that his title is still Thane of Glamis; yet here he has just been told that he shall be King. He does not know Macdonwald who has been sentenced to death for betraying his country. The witches plant the idea of being King into Macbeth's mind, which has encourages Macbeth to consider his future.
In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a courageous and well-respected soldier who is loyal to his King and country. He is described by one of King Duncan's men as “brave Macbeth.” As a result of his bravery on the battlefield, Duncan decides to reward Macbeth with a new title – the Thane of Cawdor – as the last Thane was proven to be disloyal; however, Macbeth is unaware of this, and this creates tension in the audience. The opening scenes show that Macbeth is a powerful and courageous man who is not naturally inclined to do wrong, but is capable of being brutal when he needs to be. The meeting with the witches also reveal that Macbeth is a very ambitious man who craves an even greater power. There is contrast between Macbeth’s and Banquo’s attitudes towards the witches’ prophecies. Whilst Banquo dismissed the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth was “rapt withal.” This shows that Macbeth has thought about being “king hereafter.” Macbeth's first soliloquy reveals his deep desire to be king. His soliloquy also reveals that he would do anything to achieve it.
As the scene begins Duncan meets a Captain that went on the quest to save Malcolm. Duncan is introduced as the King of Scotland and Malcolm is his son. The Captain tells the story of his journey to save Malcolm. Macdonwald, a traitor of Scotland, who tried to capture Malcolm was ruthlessly murdered by Macbeth. Macdonwald’s head was paraded around for all to see his dishonor. The Captain speaks highly of Macbeth, exaggerating his actions. Not only does Macbeth save Malcolm, he fights the horrific Norwegian King Sweno and the traitor Thane of Cawdor. Praised as christ figure, Macbeth impresses King Duncan. Two other noble figures enter and confirm the treachery that the Captain has expressed. King Duncan then believes that in order to thank Macbeth for his acts of bravery, he will give him the title of Thane of Cawdor. In return he sentences the Thane of Cawdor to execution. The scene ends with a loss for the Thane of Cawdor and a gain for Macbeth.
To start off, Macbeth was determined to become the king of Scotland. After he led the Scotland army to victory, Macbeth and Banquo encountered three witches that stated three apparitions. Two of the apparitions were for Macbeth, one stated that Macbeth would become the Thane of Cawdor, and the other stated he would become the king of Scotland. Duncan, the king of Scotland, was proud of Macbeth’s work. So as a reward, Duncan names Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor. After hearing this news, Macbeth was shocked and became eager to be
This whole situation comes about because of three witches who wanted to cause trouble for Macbeth. They knew all along what would happen to him in the end. Macbeth is ambitious and the witches played upon that by promising Macbeth great things, such as becoming the king of Scotland, and Thane of Cawdor. Immediately after he talks with the witches, he is by chance entitled, Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth now believes in the witches’ words and honestly believes that the crown of Scotland will fall upon him by natural means. This idea goes awry when Duncan names Malcom his heir. Macbeth then, still believing in the witches, goes on with his plan to murder Duncan.
These words spoken by the witches lead Macbeth to start thinking about his secret ambitions to become king. Another time the witches' prophecy has an influence on Macbeth is when Duncan thanks, Macbeth and Banquo for their heroic actions during the battle. He then names Malcolm as the Prince of Cumberland. Macbeth expresses his joy for Malcolm but to himself, he indicates that Malcolm is a problem he will have to solve if he wants to become king. After hearing the news about Duncan, Macbeth thinks to himself