In the final act of William Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, scene 1, a doctor and a gentlewoman are in Dunsinane castle, discussing Lady Macbeth’s bizarre behavior. The gentlewoman reveals that Lady Macbeth frequently sleepwalks and is hallucinating. Suddenly, Lady Macbeth enters, seemingly in a trance and holding a candle. She cries out her guilt for the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo and fervently tries to wash off the blood that she sees on her hands. “Out damned spot; out, I say,” she cries as she feels that the blood will never disappear.
Lady Macbeth has completely descended into madness from her shame and paranoia. Her bloodstained hands are a symbol caused by her guilt, which she now feels she cannot escape. By remarking, “Hell is murky,” she is insinuating that she is already in the hell that she created. Just as Macbeth succumbed to his delusions, Lady Macbeth’s guilt has finally overcome her, as well.
Lady Macbeth is a complex character who changes drastically by the end of the play. At first she is determined and manipulative towards her husband, urging him to take the crown by whatever means necessary. When Macbeth has visions of permanent blood, Lady Macbeth reassures him that “a little water clears us of this deed.” However, she is not able to cope with her guilt for long. By Act V, she is reduced to madness and has become everything she previously urged Macbeth not to become.
Lady Macbeth’s despair will eventually lead to her suicide. Though she was the one who initially persuaded Macbeth to commit the murders, unlike Macbeth, who goes down fighting, Lady Macbeth cannot deal with the bloodshed on her conscience. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambition, greed, and blind trust in the prophecies of the witches will eventually kill them.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Act IV, scene 1, II. 79-105 MACBETH/APPARITIONS, tone
In Act IV, scene 1 of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the three witches are present in a cavern, surrounding a boiling cauldron. They are casting spells until Macbeth suddenly appears, which the witches had predicted. Macbeth begs the witches to tell him the truth of his future. They oblige by summoning grim apparitions. A detached head first appears, revealing to Macbeth that he should be wary of Macduff. Next, a bloody child says to Macbeth, “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” A crowned child with a tree then makes an appearance, assuring Macbeth that he will be protected unless Birnam Wood is moved to Dunsinane Hill.
Macbeth’s insistence to the witches that they reveal the truth of their prophecies shows that he is becoming increasingly worried. The floating head suggests that war is coming, and that Macduff may be the cause of the war. The bloody child, after telling Macbeth that no one born of woman shall hurt him, is a comfort to Macbeth, since he assumes everyone must be born of woman. However, later it will be revealed that Macduff was born by cesarean section, hence the bloody child. The crowned child represents Malcolm, whose army will later transfer tree branches from Birnam Wood to Dunsinane Hill.
This passage has a tone of irony. Though the witches’ apparitions comfort Macbeth, who cannot see how some of them can come to be true, they are in fact symbols showing exactly how the prophecies will come to completion. For example, Macbeth does not understand that the bloody child indicates Macbeth’s birth by cesarean section. He simply hears the apparition’s words and assumes no harm will come to him, since all children must be born from women. Also present in this passage is a dark and ominous tone. Thunder can be heard as each vision appears, and the forbidding predictions of the apparitions, as well as the gory look of the child, lend to this sinister and threatening tone. Macbeth’s doom is also felt.
Each apparition foreshadows how the witches’ predictions will be fulfilled, hinting at the coming war and Macbeth’s doom. At the end of the scene, Macbeth is confident, suggesting that he is completely unaware of his coming demise. It further establishes that his misunderstanding in the witches and unbridled desire for power will lead to his downfall.
Macbeth’s insistence to the witches that they reveal the truth of their prophecies shows that he is becoming increasingly worried. The floating head suggests that war is coming, and that Macduff may be the cause of the war. The bloody child, after telling Macbeth that no one born of woman shall hurt him, is a comfort to Macbeth, since he assumes everyone must be born of woman. However, later it will be revealed that Macduff was born by cesarean section, hence the bloody child. The crowned child represents Malcolm, whose army will later transfer tree branches from Birnam Wood to Dunsinane Hill.
This passage has a tone of irony. Though the witches’ apparitions comfort Macbeth, who cannot see how some of them can come to be true, they are in fact symbols showing exactly how the prophecies will come to completion. For example, Macbeth does not understand that the bloody child indicates Macbeth’s birth by cesarean section. He simply hears the apparition’s words and assumes no harm will come to him, since all children must be born from women. Also present in this passage is a dark and ominous tone. Thunder can be heard as each vision appears, and the forbidding predictions of the apparitions, as well as the gory look of the child, lend to this sinister and threatening tone. Macbeth’s doom is also felt.
Each apparition foreshadows how the witches’ predictions will be fulfilled, hinting at the coming war and Macbeth’s doom. At the end of the scene, Macbeth is confident, suggesting that he is completely unaware of his coming demise. It further establishes that his misunderstanding in the witches and unbridled desire for power will lead to his downfall.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Act III, scene 4, II. 77-97 MACBETH/LADY MACBETH/LORDS, literal content
In Act III, scene 4 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a banquet has been prepared in the palace for Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, and other lords and attendants. Macbeth returns to the table upon hearing the news of Banquo’s death. The murderers also inform him that Banquo’s son Fleance has escaped, which angers Macbeth. As he approaches his seat at the royal table, he finds that it has already been occupied by the ghost of Banquo. Shocked, he speaks to it, which bewilders the other guests, who do not see any ghost. Assuring the guests that his behavior is normal, Lady Macbeth asks them to ignore his outburst. She then speaks only to Macbeth, telling him that he is simply hallucinating again, insulting his manhood, and urging him to regain his composure.
Because of Macbeth’s strange conduct, his subjects will begin to lose their trust in their ruler. They will essentially see him for who he really is, which is not a brave and able leader, but a guilty and troubled man. Also in this scene, Lady Macbeth further attempts to manipulate her husband. Unlike in the preceding scene, when she showed indications of hesitation and guilt, here she once again appears determined and confident in their plan. She questions Macbeth’s manhood again, as well, saying, “Impostors to true fear, would well become a woman’s story at a winter’s fire, authorized by her grandam.” This further confirms that Lady Macbeth believes that violence and evil are positive, manly traits.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are king and queen after Macbeth murdered Duncan. They are hosting the banquet in their palace in the hopes of gaining trust among their subjects, lords, and attendants. Macbeth sees the spirit of Banquo in his chair after learning of his demise and feeling overwhelming guilt. Lady Macbeth knows that she must make excuses for her husband’s odd behavior so that their guests are not troubled. She convinces Macbeth that he is only delirious and advises him to reassure his guests that all is well. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do all this in the hope that the witches’ prophecy be fulfilled and Macbeth’s kingship remain.
The banquet scene is the beginning of Macbeth’s ruin. His shame is becoming so great that he allows it to overcome him, even in front of his company, who become increasingly suspicion of him. Lady Macbeth, however, pursues her goals with ever greater ambition. This will eventually lead to her downfall, as well, as she will become incapable of dealing with her guilt.
Because of Macbeth’s strange conduct, his subjects will begin to lose their trust in their ruler. They will essentially see him for who he really is, which is not a brave and able leader, but a guilty and troubled man. Also in this scene, Lady Macbeth further attempts to manipulate her husband. Unlike in the preceding scene, when she showed indications of hesitation and guilt, here she once again appears determined and confident in their plan. She questions Macbeth’s manhood again, as well, saying, “Impostors to true fear, would well become a woman’s story at a winter’s fire, authorized by her grandam.” This further confirms that Lady Macbeth believes that violence and evil are positive, manly traits.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are king and queen after Macbeth murdered Duncan. They are hosting the banquet in their palace in the hopes of gaining trust among their subjects, lords, and attendants. Macbeth sees the spirit of Banquo in his chair after learning of his demise and feeling overwhelming guilt. Lady Macbeth knows that she must make excuses for her husband’s odd behavior so that their guests are not troubled. She convinces Macbeth that he is only delirious and advises him to reassure his guests that all is well. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do all this in the hope that the witches’ prophecy be fulfilled and Macbeth’s kingship remain.
The banquet scene is the beginning of Macbeth’s ruin. His shame is becoming so great that he allows it to overcome him, even in front of his company, who become increasingly suspicion of him. Lady Macbeth, however, pursues her goals with ever greater ambition. This will eventually lead to her downfall, as well, as she will become incapable of dealing with her guilt.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Act II, Scene 1, II. 42-end of scene MACBETH, figurative language
In Act II, scene 1 of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is standing alone in his castle, Inverness. Banquo and Fleance have left after briefly discussing with Macbeth the prophecy of the three witches. While alone, Macbeth suddenly observes a dagger floating in the air. After unsuccessfully attempting to grab it, he begins wondering if what he sees is a tangible dagger or a hallucination. He promptly decides it is only his imagination after seeing blood on the tip of the blade. Macbeth realizes that he is having these visions as a result of his coming deed, which is killing Duncan. Though he acknowledges the evilness of the night, he resolves to carry out his plan. After hearing Lady Macbeth’s signal to proceed, a bell tolling, Macbeth makes his way to Duncan’s chamber.
Macbeth’s hesitation at murdering Duncan is clearly shown through the dagger, which is the first of many hallucinations Macbeth and Lady Macbeth will experience. The dagger indicates Macbeth’s guilty and paranoid nature. Though he is not instinctively inclined to perpetrate evil deeds, his great desire for power trumps his hesitations and he murders Duncan. He does this before he has a chance to lose his courage and consider the consequences, saying, “While I threat, he lives. Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.” His ambitions will eventually lead to his corruption.
Several significant sounds and visions occur in Act II. The bloody dagger that is a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt points towards Duncan’s chamber. This illustrates the destructive path Macbeth will embark on. Blood symbolizes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s guilt, as well. Before committing the murder, Macbeth only sees blood on the dagger, but he will later imagine it to be permanently stained on his hands, leading him to cry out, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” The ringing of the bell by Lady Macbeth indicates the murder as well.
This passage further establishes Macbeth’s shame and guilt, but he proves that he is willing to disregard his conscience to achieve his ultimate desires. The hallucinations of blood foreshadow the violence that is to come, as well as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s increasing guilt and paranoia.
Macbeth’s hesitation at murdering Duncan is clearly shown through the dagger, which is the first of many hallucinations Macbeth and Lady Macbeth will experience. The dagger indicates Macbeth’s guilty and paranoid nature. Though he is not instinctively inclined to perpetrate evil deeds, his great desire for power trumps his hesitations and he murders Duncan. He does this before he has a chance to lose his courage and consider the consequences, saying, “While I threat, he lives. Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.” His ambitions will eventually lead to his corruption.
Several significant sounds and visions occur in Act II. The bloody dagger that is a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt points towards Duncan’s chamber. This illustrates the destructive path Macbeth will embark on. Blood symbolizes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s guilt, as well. Before committing the murder, Macbeth only sees blood on the dagger, but he will later imagine it to be permanently stained on his hands, leading him to cry out, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” The ringing of the bell by Lady Macbeth indicates the murder as well.
This passage further establishes Macbeth’s shame and guilt, but he proves that he is willing to disregard his conscience to achieve his ultimate desires. The hallucinations of blood foreshadow the violence that is to come, as well as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s increasing guilt and paranoia.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Act I, scene 5, II. 12/15-27/30 LADY MACBETH, structure
In Act I, scene 5 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is in Macbeth’s castle, Inverness, reading a letter she has received from him. He describes to his wife his ascension to the title of “Thane of Cawdor”, and the witches’ prophecy. Lady Macbeth believes that the witches predicted that Macbeth would become the Thane of Cawdor, and their projection that he will be crowned king will come to fruition as well. However, she does not believe her husband is aggressive enough to seize the throne on his own. She fears that he is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness”. She decides to persuade Macbeth to become king by whatever means necessary, since it seems apparent that that will be his destiny.
Lady Macbeth is a dominant character in the play, who is shown to possess the most ambitious and violent nature as well. Though in scene 5 of Act I Macbeth is portrayed as being a brave and able warrior, Lady Macbeth describes him in a different sense, thinking of him as weak, though ambitious. It becomes clear that she is willing to manipulate him to her benefit. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth desire to become powerful, but Lady Macbeth is more inclined to be ruthless in the process. Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy foreshadows the bloodshed that is to come.
When Lady Macbeth finishes her husband’s letter, she agrees he will become king, but she immediately decides that his nature will not permit him to be successful alone. She comes to this conclusion after discussing to herself all that Macbeth desires, but why he will not attain them by being a virtuous man. For example, she states “What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win.” Her speech is written in blank verse, as is the majority of the work, except for the prophecies of the witches. This makes the witches’ rhymes more sinister, creating a sense of doom.
This speech, along with Lady Macbeth’s second soliloquy later in Act I, scene 5, represents Lady Macbeth’s conviction that aggression and cruelty are masculine traits. She will later wish that she was a man, so that she herself could carry out the murders that she thinks are necessary. Also, she will use this as a tactic of persuasion, questioning Macbeth’s masculinity when he hesitates to use violence. This scene represents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and their desire for power.
Lady Macbeth is a dominant character in the play, who is shown to possess the most ambitious and violent nature as well. Though in scene 5 of Act I Macbeth is portrayed as being a brave and able warrior, Lady Macbeth describes him in a different sense, thinking of him as weak, though ambitious. It becomes clear that she is willing to manipulate him to her benefit. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth desire to become powerful, but Lady Macbeth is more inclined to be ruthless in the process. Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy foreshadows the bloodshed that is to come.
When Lady Macbeth finishes her husband’s letter, she agrees he will become king, but she immediately decides that his nature will not permit him to be successful alone. She comes to this conclusion after discussing to herself all that Macbeth desires, but why he will not attain them by being a virtuous man. For example, she states “What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win.” Her speech is written in blank verse, as is the majority of the work, except for the prophecies of the witches. This makes the witches’ rhymes more sinister, creating a sense of doom.
This speech, along with Lady Macbeth’s second soliloquy later in Act I, scene 5, represents Lady Macbeth’s conviction that aggression and cruelty are masculine traits. She will later wish that she was a man, so that she herself could carry out the murders that she thinks are necessary. Also, she will use this as a tactic of persuasion, questioning Macbeth’s masculinity when he hesitates to use violence. This scene represents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and their desire for power.
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