|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ in early 1606 when plots against King James vi were rife. ... It is easy to think that ‘Macbeth’ was just written to please the King, It also raises many questions about ambition, guilt, conciense and the true nature of evil.
When we first meet Lady Macbeth in Act one Scene five she is in Inverness reading a letter from Macbeth. During the reading of this letter she finds out that three witches have told Macbeth that he shall be the Thane of Cawdor but most importantly that he will be king, Macbeth also writes that one of these prophecies has already been fulfilled, he has become the Thane of Cawdor. Upon hearing this news Lady Macbeth immediately begins to scheme and plot, she is determined that Macbeth will become king as we can see when she says ‘Glamis thou art and Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised’ she wants Macbeth to be King so that she may become queen, but Lady Macbeth has her doubts, she worries that Macbeth is too kind and without the evil that he needs to join with his ambition, he will not be able to find the quickest route to the throne. To get past this problem Lady Macbeth decides to pour the spirits of her own evilness into Macbeth’s ears and drive away the fear that will hold him back from getting the crown. ...
When a messenger comes to Lady Macbeth bearing the news that the King, Duncan, will be coming to stay at the castle her ambition takes a sudden turn and her wickedness grows. ... As time goes on we see Lady Macbeth begin to invite evil into her body and take over mind by the uses of magic. ... Lady Macbeth wants to get rid of her female tenderness and replace it with pure evil.
As Macbeth enters we see Lady Macbeth great him with respect, love and honor. As she tells Macbeth of her plans she makes it clear that she believes that she and her husband can control time and make the future do what they want. Lady Macbeth reveals that she is worried that Macbeth will give the plot away with his face so she tells him to ‘look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t’. Here Shakespeare has used historical context in Lady Macbeth’s speech, as a medal was made to commemorate the Gunpowder plot of 1605, it shows a serpent concealed underneath flowers. Lady Macbeth talks about hiding their intentions, she has assumed the role of leadership in their relationship which shows that she is in great control at the beginning of the play.
When Duncan arrives at the castle Lady Macbeth leads him inside and so to his death. During Act one Scene seven we see Lady Macbeth consistently having to reinforce Macbeth’s determination to carry out the murder as he wanders around the castle in doubt. As Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth why it would not be a good idea to carry out the murder and that he will not do it she turns on him and starts to insult him telling him that he is a coward ‘And live a coward in thine own esteem’ this insult is not strictly true as he is a brave solider, but Lady Macbeth uses it in the hope that he will defend himself by saying that he is not a coward and thus carrying out the murder.
Approximate Word count = 2848
Approximate Pages = 11.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|