Sunday, November 24, 2019
The Mirrors of Macbeth â⬠Literature Essay
The Mirrors of Macbeth ââ¬â Literature Essay Free Online Research Papers The Mirrors of Macbeth Literature Essay Different types of literature obviously focus on elements such as plot, setting, and character development. In dramatic literature the focus is on a characterââ¬â¢s words and the dialogue the author employs to develop that character. In Elizabethan times this was particularly important as such stage devices as props, costumes, and sets were minimally used. In the play, Macbeth, Shakespeare creates a protagonist whose words not only mirror himself but also reflect the two characters who influence him the most. In first thinking about killing Duncan, Macbethââ¬â¢s attitude is quite clearly shown in a soliloquy. The audience is quite aware of the guilt that Macbeth is feeling simply thinking about the murder: ââ¬Å"If it were done when tis done, then tââ¬â¢were well if it were done quickly.â⬠(p.57) In these lines Shakespeare, by no accident, does not have Macbeth actually use words such as ââ¬Å"killâ⬠, ââ¬Å"murderâ⬠, or ââ¬Å"slaughter. ââ¬Å" Instead, Macbeth refers to death in this speech as ââ¬Å"itâ⬠, and , later on, as ââ¬Å"the deed.â⬠(p. 79) Further in the soliloquy two other, softer words, ââ¬Å"surcease,â⬠and, ââ¬Å"assassination,â⬠are used to show the audience that Macbeth cannot deal with even the thought of killing Duncan let alone the action. It is ironic that Macbeth never realises himself that if he cannot say the word, he is likely not ready to carry out the action the word describes! Macbethââ¬â¢s words are not only a reflection of his guilt, but also his words reflect that of his wife. It is no secret to the audience that Lady Macbeth has power over her husband. So much so, that her words are echoed by Macbeth later on in the play. In Act 3 as Macbeth is trying to convince the murderers of killing Banquo and Fleance, the protagonist questions the murderers manhood: [First Murderer]: We are men, my liege. [Macbeth]: Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; As hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, an demi-wolves. (p. 117) In these lines Macbeth compares the men to dogs hardly a flattering remark. These lines mimic the strategy that Lady Macbeth used in Act 1 to convince Macbeth to go through with the murder of Duncan: ââ¬Å"Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire? Wouldsââ¬â¢t thou live a coward?â⬠(p. 59) It is quite clear that Lady Macbethââ¬â¢s strategy of questioning Macbethââ¬â¢s masculinity is curiously similar to Macbeth strategy when he tries to convince the murderers. Lady Macbethââ¬â¢s influence on her husband is paralleled by the three witches. The words of the three ââ¬Å"weird sistersâ⬠are reflected in Macbethââ¬â¢s words; in fact, the influence the witches have on Macbeth is so powerful, the audience is exposed to it even before the two meet: ââ¬Å"So foul and fair a day I have not seen.â⬠(p. 23). In these lines Macbeth almost word for word repeats the witchesââ¬â¢ lines in the first scene of the play: ââ¬Å"Fair is foul and foul is fairâ⬠(p.9). Once again, the words which Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth are not the protagonistââ¬â¢s, but rather the words are often echoed from those characters who influence him most. Having a character reflect his personality in the words he utters is not a amazing feat by Shakespeare. Revealing the influence of Lady Macbeth and the witches on Macbeth through his dialogue is, though, quite sophisticated. Questioning his recent promotion to Cawdor, Macbeth says,â⬠Can the devil speak true?â⬠(p.27 ). The audience watching Macbeth should be asking themselves the question, ââ¬Å"Can Macbeth speak true?â⬠because throughout the play Macbethââ¬â¢s lines are often first paralleled by the witches and Lady Macbeth. Had Macbeth listened to his own lines perhaps he would have never gone through with his evil ââ¬Å"deed.â⬠apfeiffer@sd19.bc.ca Research Papers on The Mirrors of Macbeth - Literature EssayHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionThe Fifth HorsemanRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andWhere Wild and West MeetMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever Product19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenHip-Hop is Art
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