Macbeth - 1700 Words

The Loyalty of Masculinity In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth the main theme of loyalty is explored throughout the play by main characters. Loyalty can be defined as faithfulness or unwavering devotion to a person or cause. Duncan, Banquo, Macduff and Macbeth are all essential characters who are given opportunities to express their loyalty, however it is the different ways in which these characters choose to be loyal or disloyal that shape the play as a whole. It is the character’s loyalty and/or disloyalty that construct the course of the play. The theme of loyalty interrelates the over arching themes of guilt and masculinity throughout the play. Throughout Duncan’s reign he remains a loyal king especially to those who he believes are†¦show more content†¦As indicated in the satge direction Banquo even stops talking as soon as Macbeth enters the scene. Banquo’s loyalty differentiates him from Macbeth in many ways. Both Macbeth and Banquo are given auguries, which serve as temptation to do evil. However it is Banquo’s repression of his desires that allow him to maintain unwavering devotion. Macbeth originally appears to be a devoted constituent of society through his early actions and battles for Scotland. Despite Macbeth’s original loyalty he eventually fails and his appetite for ambition overcomes him. Macbeth, unlike Banquo, allows the witches’ prophecy, â€Å"thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor and king thereafter† take over his whole being as he becomes so captivated by the idea of being king. Macbeth takes his desires to a whole new level by stooping so low as to kill king Duncan with his own hands, â€Å" I have done the deed†¦ will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands no, this my hand will rather turn the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red† (act II scene 2: lines 77-81). Macbeth’s act of killing the king portrays his disloyalty to someone who gave him so much. This passage not only reveals the theme of loyalty but introduces guilt, another theme in the play. The metaphor and symbolism of Macbeth’s hands turning the ocean red from Duncan’s blood visually brings these two themes closely together. Macbeth’s deed is so bad that not evenShow MoreRelatedMacbeth : Macbeth 1411 Words   |  6 PagesPeter Klimek Mrs. Moeller Macbeth Rough Draft 3/7/16 Ambitionz Az Macbeth Macbeth is a character in a play by Shakespeare with a tragic flaw. He had a quick rise to power and shortly after that a fall. Macbeth’s tragic downfall is a consequence of his vaulting ambition which is fueled by greed, fear and arrogance. Lady Macbeth and the three witches also have a major key in influencing his emotions. They manipulated the emotions he felt so he acted more rashly on them. Macbeth was a guy that couldRead MoreMacbeth Essays : Macbeth 1064 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth Analytical Essay In life, there are two types of people: those who do the right thing and those who don’t. In the play Macbeth, by Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth is given a prophecy by three witches that says he will become king; however, there is no descending line of kings of his own blood. With the knowledge of the Witches’ prophecy, Macbeth’s ambition, and manipulation from his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is quickly dragged into a never-ending, bloody murder rampage to obtainRead MoreMacbeth - Imagery in Macbeth1331 Words   |  6 Pagesart of making images, the products of imagination. In the play Macbeth Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness and blood. (listed from least to most), Each detail is his imagery, it seems to contain an important symbol of the play. Symbols that the reader must understand if they are to interpret either the passage or the play as a whole. Within the play Macbeth the imagery of clothing portrays that Macbeth is seeking to hide his disgraceful self from his eyes and othersRead MoreMacbeth864 Words   |  4 Pagesimagination. In any piece of literature, imagery plays a significant role in illustrating the characters. In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are developed through the use of clothing, sleep, and blood imagery. Through the use of clothing imagery, Shakespeare exposes and develops the character of Macbeth. In the beginning, Macbeth is seen as loyal soldier of King Duncan. When presented with the title of Thane of Cawdor, he says Why do you dressRead MoreMacBeth867 Words   |  4 Pagesart, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet for I fear thy nature; It is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way† (Shakespeare 1.5.12-15). Lady Macbeth is the bad influence Macbeth has in his life that persuades him into killing King Duncan and rushes into being King. Before Macbeth became paranoid after the brutal death of King Duncan, he was a worthy captain of the kings army. â€Å"The service and the loyalty I owe in doing it pays itself. Your Highness’ part isRead MoreMacbeth1038 Words   |  5 Pageswith it?  Would you do  right or wrong? To ignore the premonitions  or to go ahead,  knowing that if you do go ahead you would  des troy the natural order? This is what Macbeth had to solve within himself,  his internal conflict. Ladies and Gentlemen, an overriding theme of conflict is established within William Shakespeare’s tragic play â€Å"Macbeth†. Conflict. What is conflict? We simply define conflict as the struggle between opposite forces or different opinions between people. Though it doesn’t always haveRead MoreMacbeth739 Words   |  3 PagesSynopsis Macbeth  is a play about a Scottish nobleman who learns, from a prophecy given to him by three witches, that he is to become king. When Macbeths ambition overcomes his moral judgement, he assassinates the reigning king and fulfils the prophecy. In doing so, however, he undermines his own rule with insecurity - insecurity he created when he upset the natural succession to the throne. Beheaded in battle, Macbeths death allows the rightful heir to reclaim the throne and order is restoredRead MoreMacbeth1388 Words   |  6 Pages Macbeth: Character Analysis The Tragedy of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is about a soldier, Macbeth, and his friend, Banquo, who meet up with three strange witches who share prophecies with the two men. Macbeth is told that he will become king someday and rule the land of Scotland. The rest of the play follows the actions of once a loyal soldier turned into a greedy king, who seeks to hold the crown forever no matter what the consequences may be. Throughout the play Macbeth displays himselfRead MoreMacbeth757 Words   |  4 Pagesat me† Macbeth to Banquo’s ghost. â€Å"This is the very painting of your fear† Lady Macbeth to her husband. â€Å"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble†. Witches (4.1.1) Images of disguise and concealment (appearance vs reality): â€Å"Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t† Lady Macbeth, 1, 5 â€Å"False face must hide what the false heart doth know† Macbeth, 1,7 â€Å"There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody† Donalbain 2, 3. Macbeth tellsRead MoreMacbeth2576 Words   |  11 PagesGolden Macbeth * Do you sympathize with Macbeth? Why or why not? Considering whether or not to feel sympathy for Macbeth can be based upon whether or not you think Macbeth has any control of his own destiny. If you think of Macbeth as a pawn in his own game, then you can feel sympathy. He is controlled by the witches, who promise him the crown, at exactly the right time when he has just been promoted to Thane of Cawdor. The witches give him something else to strive for. Macbeth is also