GCSE Macbeth Assignment Essay

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth around 1606. This was a very violent time for the new recognised British Isles. Just three age earlier, after tight half a century in power, Queen Elizabeth I had died. She was succeeded by James I (or James VI of Scotland). James was of Scotch heritage and his style of rule was very different to that of Elizabeth who had been strong and imposing character. It would appear that James was a weaker monarch and in 1605, sound two years after worldness crowned, there was a biz to destroy the ho c totallys of parliament, a symbol of his power. This is famously k straightwayn as the Gunpowder Plot and is lock in commemorated every year on the 5th of November.Most agree that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth (or The Scottish Play) to comment on the underlying mood of the time. He sets his tomboy in Scotland to try and win favour with King James and further more than(prenominal), makes the elatet-to-heart matter that of assassination and regicide ending in o verall failure, to try and remonstrate with other possible plotters against the king. King James was re promptlyned for his fascination and iniquity of witches and during his reign tens of thousands of witches were ef awarded. Shakespeare thus makes all the carnage and murder in the victimize the moderate of the witches prophecies.Our first impression of Macbeth is a very profound one. In lone(prenominal) the second facet, before we even up meet Macbeth, we hear him referred to as brave Macbeth well he deserves that name. Again, before Macbeth is even introduced to us, King Duncan remarks (with friendship to Macbeth and Banquo) they smack of honour both. Although we are similarly told that Macbeths sword was ingest with all-fired exe write go forthion this is most in spades calculaten as a lordly attribute and non as grounds for worry for the other characters. It could merely, be a hint from Shakespeare that things are non completely as they seem.Initially, we s ee Macbeth as valiant and honour subject and the man who, almost single-handedly, has saved the contend for his country. At this point, there is no finite indication of the madness that is to follow.In my opinion, right from the film where we first meet Macbeth, Shakespeare makes it short clear that he is not completely emotionally or psychologically stable. Whilst returning from the employment, Macbeth and his veracious friend Banquo encounter the three withes that commenced the flow. They tell him, alto weeher hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thane of Glamis All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter. Macbeth is clear ball over by this, but he tries to reason with himself that what has been said cannot possibly be true. by and by a short jovial interlude with Banquo Angus and Ross fare and congratulate the two on their victory. Then they endow Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawdor, and I believe that this is the turni ng point of the whole play. Macbeth seems almost entranced by this and speaks almost the whole of the rest of the scene to himself. He tries to reason what had just interpreted place but now, he seems changed. As the play develops, we look at a closer sixth sense into Macbeths mental instabilities and nowhere more so than before the murder of Duncan.Shakespeare has purposefully orchestrated a speckle to show Macbeths true personality and inner feelings. Macbeth, however bloody and deranged he may seem after his encounter with the witches, is save a respectable man, and killing his king is a very macro decision for him to stop. bird Macbeth has completely pres for sured him into this situation and this in itself shows us that Macbeth is not a strong person at all. We can see this clearly by the point that Macbeth says We pass on proceed no further in this business, supposedly putting his foot down. However, by the end of Lady Macbeths response Macbeth is already asking the question If we should fail? This indicates that Lady Macbeth has no respect or fear for Macbeth who, only three scenes earlier was being depict as bloody, valiant and honourable.He reminds his wife that Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague thinventor, pondering whether he would be killed if he were to be found out.Possibly in another(prenominal) act of cowardice he never directly tells Lady Macbeth roughly what he thinks depart happen. still instead tells her, This blow might be the be-all and the end-all here. However, Lady Macbeths influence and determination is far hugeer than his and she forces Macbeth into the committing the title.Macbeth tells his wife that it would be cannibalic to kill King Duncan, I dare do all that may become a man Who dares do more is no(prenominal). We can overly see that there is a definite element of fear in Macbeth, as when speaking, he refrains from using the word murder. Instead he uses euphemisms, make or it If it were done whent is done. He uses other wrangling such(prenominal) as, surcease and blow, because Macbeth cannot even bear to say the word murder.Throughout the scene we see flashes of the honourable Macbeth described at the beginning of the play. For instance Macbeth displays a degree loyalty to Duncan when arguing with Lady Macbeth because he tells her, as his soldiery who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. The words who should misbegotten that although Macbeth accepts that he should take in said no to his wife, her influenced has forced him otherwise.In adequate with the times, Shakespeare uses Biblical imagery in his writing. Macbeth says That is virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the robust damnation of his taking-off. Apart from showing us that Macbeth is fearful of the immediate consequences of his actions, this also reveals his paranoia over the effects it will moderate on his after-life. The belief that somebody would either go to heaven or to hell was virtually taken for granted in the early 17th Century. By using sacred imagery in his play, Shakespeare makes sure that his intended audition are able to affect to the play fully.Finally, a stronger align of Macbeth then(prenominal) comes out and he says I construct no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting opposition. Meaning that the only thing spurring him on is his ambition and nothing else, not even the pressure being exerted by his wife. He tells her that she is not affecting his actions, and in doing so, attempts to reassert him authority on the conversation.Shakespeare investigates some(prenominal) different aspects of Macbeths psyche in this short scene. On the one hand, foreign to the picture of Macbeth that we adjudge built up, Macbeth seems to be very weak. This is shown by the way of life Lady Macbeth has easily manipulated him and in some ways poisoned his mind. In this scene we also see shades of a more gentle Macbeth attack through, with his reluctance and doubt close to killing Duncan. This whole scene leaves the audience very confused.Should they feel sympathy for Macbeth as they watch him try to assert himself against Lady Macbeths barrage of out-downs? Or should they dismiss his reluctance to kill Duncan as a symptom of his schizophrenia (and not that his conscience is espial up with or his more humane side coming out)? I am not even sure that Macbeth quite knows what to think, something that effects perfectly for Shakespeare as this layer of uncertainty creates doubt within the audience and forces them to c erstwhileptualize on listening.After the murder, we are given yet more insight into Macbeths character. Fleeing from the scene of the wickedness he shows augurys of paranoia. After hearing soulfulness in the distance he shouts Whos there? what, ho He is clearly not intellection as, having just committed a yucky crime he should have tried to have stayed und etected. The murder has definitely had an effect on him. He then discovers that luckily, it is only his wife and when he meets her anxiety clouds his thoughts. The first thing that he asks is Didst thou not hear a noise?To calm himself down he persistently asks Lady Macbeth whether she heard noises When?, As I descended? trying to reassure himself that he was not detected and there is nothing to worry about. His speech is edgy and uneasy. It that shows that he has not managed to calm down. Shakespeare usually wrote in iambic pentameters and these short one-word questions garble the flow of this pattern and are meant to indicate the paranoia and nervousness of Macbeth and his wife.Macbeth must have been extremely perturbed when he was in the mode with Duncan. He says this is a obscure sight, whilst he is aspect at his hands. This indicates that the killing was messy and later, Macbeth describes them as hangmans hands. This could mean that Macbeth is disgusted and sorrowful for co mmitting such a disgraceful crime and that he is showing signs of remorse.He continues to use euphemisms, such as deed to block out and forget the murder as much as he can. Shakespeare tries to give the audience the impression that Macbeth is sorry for his actions and not a cold-blooded person. Shakespeare also gives Macbeth another human element whereby he has him looking down at his hands, something that m whatsoever people can identify with.Macbeth then goes on to talk about the deed. He mentions that when the two grooms were in the room with Duncan one cried, Murder As Macbeth has refrained from using this tabooed word throughout the pass he must be very unstable to closingly use it. Shakespeare also uses an exclamation mark which is meant to scoop uple the audience and create suspense with a short pause. The short pause here is in start contrast to Macbeths other words which are written to be verbalise very quickly. This is to give the audience the idea that Macbeth wants to forget his experience and get it off his chest as quickly as possible. A good example is when Macbeth is again talking about the two grooms, That they did wake for each one other I stood and heard them but they did say their prayers, and ad cut backed them again to remainder.What Macbeth says next can also tell us much about his inner feelings. He does not respond to Lady Macbeths remark There are two lodged together, but instead carries on as if she were not there. This is a sure sign, as if it were needed, that he has been deep affected by the prior events. He speaks in a hugger-mugger fashion but yet his flow is uninterrupted. He refers to the Biblical name used by the guards, G-d bless us and Amen. He then says that he could not respond to the statement G-d bless us with the traditional Amen. This is in all probability because, looking at his blood soaked hands and thinking about what he has done he feels that he has badly dishonoured his religion Muddling his sentences , once more reveals the volatile state of his mind and his inability to think straight. obsess with the betrayal of his religion, he continues to talk about his inability to say Amen. He also mentions, I had most need of blessing. Here, Macbeth must be thinking about what will happen to him in the afterlife and whether he will be eternally damned for his actions.Macbeth then carries on to talk about sleep. He tells us that sleep is innocent, hinting that whilst he is asleep, he does not feel the guilt of whatever cruel actions he has taken during the day. He says that sleeps is great natures second course, referring to his life as a meal and saying that his innocent sleep is the best course. Then his words take on a dark tone. Again, completely ignoring what Lady Macbeth has said, he carries on in an entranced state.He says Macbeth does murder sleep Glamis hath murderd sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more Macbeth shall sleep no more. The fact that he can no longer escape to his innocent sleep because Cawdor and Glamis (he does not mention his own name or talk in the first person, probably through guilt) have murdered it evidently disturbs Macbeth. In my opinion, Shakespeare uses makes Macbeth say Cawdor and Glamis to remind the audience of the significance of the prophecy by the witches to the plot of the play and specifically the murder.Finally, the audience are shown that Macbeth is broken and hysterical. Macbeth has given up and is reluctant to carry on. Ill go on no more I am unnerved to think what I have done. Macbeth believes that he cannot carry on through fear of being discovered and that he would be constantly reminded of this great sin.This scene reiterates to the audience Macbeths dementia and shows us many of his emotions that we have already seen such. However, we see yet another side to Macbeths persona in the form of his religiousness. The audience is now confronted with someone who initially was the archetypal hero, but now is th e complete antithesis. During the play the audience have seen his rationality and his insanity, his treachery and honour and both his courageousness and cowardice. Now furthermore, we see his spirituality. Again, the audience cannot help but be befuddled about who the real Macbeth is and at this point in the play, which signals Macbeths psychological demise, this serves a brilliant melodramatic purpose in that the audience really do not know what to expect next.The final act regards Macbeths demise. After hearing that Macbeth has murdered his entire family, Macduff (who has had his doubts about Macbeth ever since the murder of Duncan) joins forces with Prince Malcolm (Duncans son who fled to England after hearing of his fathers death).Meanwhile, Macbeth has visited the witches again insane of Macduffs challenge to his crown. They told him that he has nothing to worry to about for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth and that he was alright until Great Birnam timberland to hi gh Dunsinane shall come against him.At the beginning of Act 5 characterisation 3, Macduff is already advancing on Macbeth. Macbeth seems confident and he insists, bring me no more reports let them fly all. He is obviously not worried, however desperate the situation may seem because he truly believes that what the witches have told him is true. Shakespeare is possibly hinting this when he uses the word fly which has connotations of witchcraft.We are then reminded of Macbeths valiant side we were told about at the beginning of the play. He shows courage by describing his servant as a cream-faced loon, meaning that he is pallid faced and fearful. Macbeth therefore tells the servant to prick thy face, and over-red thy fear. Here telling him to cut himself and cover his face with the blood to look less pale. The Macbeth speaking now able to talk about subjects like shedding blood and feels no need to replace such words with euphemisms. This could be a sign that either Macbeth has los t all the guilt and remorse for his past murders, or that he is completely insane and no longer has any beneficence left. We see flashes of this valiant Macbeth throughout the act. An example of this is when he says Ill fight, manger from my bones my flesh be hacked.Macbeth is then greeted with the news that in the words of his messenger The wood began to move He wonders whether the witches have deceived him, and he sets out fighting even though it may be in vain. He crosses Siwards son. Macbeth is very arrogant about his clash with Siwards son, because the witches predictions have proved correct so far, and they have told him not to fear any human born of a woman. Siwards Son asks him his name, and as if a man assured of victory he replies Thoult be afraid to hear it. He finally answers My names Macbeth, this short language shows how self-assured Macbeth is. It also carries alliteration when spoken. The conflict concludes with Siwards Sons death.Macbeth makes a speech in solil oquy after killing Siward, But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, Brandished by man thats of a woman born. The rhyming couplet gives his image a boost by convincing the audience that he is invincible. He assures himself that he has power and influence over fate.When Macbeth meets Macduff, he tries to take the same tone as with Siwards Son. He tells Macduff that I bear a charmed life, which must not die To one of woman born Macduff replies Despair thy charm Macduff was from his vexs womb Untimely rippd. At this Macbeth is clearly startled and he curses the witches accusing them of being juggling fiends, because they have tricked him through juggling their words.When Macbeth accepts Macduffs challenge, even though he knows the end is near, the valiant and honourable side of his character shines through again. Macduff calls Macbeth a coward and tells him to yield. Possibly in one final maniac act of desperation he accepts the challenge and does not yield. He says that he can not be dishonoured, to kiss the ground before young Malcolms feet. This is very clever as it uses distinct imagery that is easy to relate to. He goes on to say I will not yield to be baited with the rabbles curse, saying that if he yields even common people will tease him. He goes forth to battle with Macduff and is killed.Shakespeares Macbeth is on of the classic tragic figures in literary history. He personifies a mans corruption as a result of power. From our initial view of him, as what can only be described as a hero, we see him fall into an abyss of mental imbalance and eventually insanity. Shakespeare investigates many ideas such as, things not being as they seem, maidenlike influence and the overall result of regicide. He uses many cleverly crafted semantic fields such as clothes (why do you dress mein borrowd robes) and a mans face (Theres daggers in mens smiles). These all work as clever imagery to further entice the audience.Apart from being a tragic hero, Macbeth is al so one of the most complicated of all of Shakespeares characters. He goes through almost every emotion that we have a word for, and his feelings always contradict. First we think he is a fearless warrior, and then we see him bullied by his heartless wife. This serves a superb dramatic purpose for Shakespeare as the audience are never sure what to think or what to expect next. The conclude, the play Macbeth is undoubtedly one of Shakespeares greatest masterpieces and is a timeless piece of theatre with its core, being the dramatic enigma that it the character, Macbeth.