Unlock the Power of Motifs with Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Exploring Prophecy, Hallucinations and Violence

One of the most exciting techniques used by narrative authors is the careful weaving of central elements throughout their stories, also known as motifs. By definition, a motif is a a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition. From centuries ago to today, motifs have maintained a prominent role in giving … Read more

Macbeth: Imagery in Shakespeare’s Play to Help Contribute to Themes

Imagery is used frequently throughout Shakespeare’s Macbeth to help contribute to most themes. The images, weather, and hallucinations recur as motifs during the play(Weebly). Weather correlates to the theme, time, while hallucinations tie into the theme of guilt. All these images correspond with their theme directly. The themes themselves interact with each other as well, … Read more

Tragedy and Intrigue: Uncovering the Real Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, tells a tragic tale of power, ambition, and downfall. Macbeth, the play’s hero, is corrupted by power and ambition that consumes him, and eventually leads to his downfall. Macbeth’s interactions with Lady Macbeth throughout the play derails him from hero to tragic hero. He was known as a magnanimous and respectable warrior … Read more

Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Examining Loss of Sleep as Consequence of Immoral Behavior

Shakespeare’s Macbeth options a protagonist WHO is lured from the safety of ethical behavior by a chance for final power. The titular character, Macbeth, begins as a courageous military hero famous for his bravery, however his ethical conscience is lead askew once 3 witches gift to him a prophecy predicting his ascent to the throne. … Read more

Macbeth’s Downfall: Tragic Hero or Manipulated Victim?

Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that emphasises the horrific effects of being over-ambitious with intentions of becoming the most powerful. The play revolves around one of Shakespeare’s infamous tragic heroes Macbeth. Macbeth, seen by all, as a loyal and brave warrior, develops a lust for power from three mysterious women he meets. His … Read more

Lady Macduff: An Exemplification of a Common Woman and the Foil of Lady Macbeth.

Paste your essay in here.. How would someone feel if their husband fled to another country abandoning them and their son without any warning? In Act IV Scene II of the tragedy Macbeth, Lady Macduff explains her doubts and her negative thoughts about her husband after this just happens. She just does not comprehend why … Read more

Uncovering Macbeth and the Witches’ Machiavellian Bond: Impact on Fate

In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” the everlasting relationship between Macbeth and the three witches is the foundation of the entire plot. When Macbeth meets the witches he views them as honest and believes on them quickly. The witches having established contact with the protagonist, indirectly affect and transform his beloved wife. Towards his demise Macbeth finally realizes … Read more

How Davenant’s Macbeth reinterprets the Restoration of monarchy in England

The Restoration of monarchy in England in 1660 followed the period of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth and marked the return of Charles II as king. Consequentially, this led to the complete subversion of political norms and a mood of uncertainty throughout England as the population reeled after the dramatic civil war. The fall of the interregnum … Read more

Macbeth’s Essential Character Traits and Mental Condition

Macbeth’s Essential Character Traits and Mental Condition as a Basis for the Forms of Expression and the Power of his Imagination To be able to better understand Macbeth’s motives as well as the forms of expression and impacts of his imagination, a presentation of his most important characteristic features shall be provided here. At the … Read more

Distinctions between illusion and reality in The Tempest and Macbeth

Shakespeare was an expert at making people and things appear to be what they aren’t. Whether it be women disguised as men, characters posing as friends and family whilst planning to commit deceit, and characters being driven mad; identities are consistently blurred and misguided. In many cases, the idea of appearance and reality is the … Read more

Macbeth Q & As

1. Discuss the significance of the supernatural in Macbeth. In Macbeth, supernatural plays a significant role. It appears in many different ways in the play, such as through the witch’s prophecies, the floating dagger and Banquo’s ghost. Firstly, supernatural in Macbeth is introduced at the beginning of the play, with the three witches. They tell … Read more

The Root of Macbeth’s Downfall

During the Elizabethan era, the late sixteenth century, belief in supernatural forces was common. If people thought something was out of the ordinary, they would attribute it to supernatural elements (Moniz). In many of William Shakespeare’s plays, the supernatural has a substantial role, including Macbeth. Although the supernatural spur Macbeth’s ambition, he freely chooses to … Read more

Macbeth – fate and free will

Elbert Hubbard, an American Writer, once said, “Life is a compromise between fate and free will.” There is a constant struggle between what fate decides, and what the consequences of free will lead up to. Even if the end of a pathway is predetermined by fate, the way it is reached is through one’s own … Read more

What are Macduff’s character traits? Are they similar to your own?

Macduff plays the role of a hero to stop Macbeth’s rule. He fights to overcome the evil supernatural forces. Macduff offers a contrast to Macbeth: a Scottish lord who, far from being ambitious, puts the welfare of Scotland even ahead of the welfare of his own family. Macduff suspects Macbeth from the beginning and becomes … Read more

Macbeth’s Mental Disorder

Through careful analysis of the behaviors of William Shakespeare’s character Macbeth, it can be inferred that Macbeth was probably suffering from Schizophrenia, because he had hallucinations, delusions, and a reduced emotional attachment to things. As defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, “Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects the way … Read more

Macbeth – Analysis of Dagger Scene and Interpretation of Film Adaptations

The dagger scene in Macbeth is important as it elaborates the thoughts and ideas in Macbeth’s mind. It is the epiphany which changes his views on life and death. Kurzel, Goold, Ashford and Branagh all present compelling and intriguing perceptions of the text. In this essay, I will analyze three adaptations of Act 2 Scene … Read more

An overview of Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Shakespeare’s Macbeth recounts the tale of a man and how ambition for greater things drives him to his end. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to the character’s wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth reveals herself to be a very complex character that continues to push her husband to do whatever it takes, eventually … Read more

Prophecy, guilt, remorse, and ambition – Macbeth

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the three major themes that are carried out in perhaps the greatest of Shakespeare’s tragedies is prophecy, guilt, remorse, and ambition. These themes are the ideas that Shakespeare explores dramatically in the experience of the characters in Macbeth, and they define the play. Macbeth explores its own issues alongside other Shakespeare plays, … Read more

The Corruption of Power

In the play ​Macbeth​, Shakespeare uses the expectations of manhood to introduce the changes in Macbeth’s character throughout the play, in order to convey the corrupting influence of power. The different themes shown in this play can help an audience to not only better understand the text, but also learn from the experiences mentioned. Society … Read more

Harry Jaffa – Shakespeare (Tempest, Macbeth, Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure)

Harry Jaffa begins his article by saying that Shakespeare is the only known poet who has written both tragic and comedy plays. He says there is no direct evidence that shows if Shakespeare was influenced by Socrates or not because his work has intelligibility to it. He quotes Leo Strauss when drawing a connection between … Read more

Moral Boundaries In Macbeth

Ambition is in every individual’s innate nature as one constantly looks for ways to become more powerful and increase their social and economic status. In Macbeth, author William Shakespeare explores the extreme lengths one will go to achieve their ambitions against moral and societal limitations and the resulting tragic impacts on them and their surroundings. … Read more

Macbeth – moral and psychological outcome of decisions

Negative decisions in life prompt disastrous outcomes on both a moral and psychological level. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both lose their mental ground due to their uncontrolled ambition, ultimately leading to their demise. Both characters begin their quest for power differently and react uniquely to the strain of murders. However, Lady … Read more

Vishal Bharadwaj – Miyan Maqbool (Macbeth)

The versatility of Shakespeare’s original plays, such as Macbeth, allow modern directors to individually interpret them. Vanessa Gerhard says that, “Shakespeare’s plays are not stable and fixed anymore but are used, transposed and transformed by various elements and cultures”. This is true of Maqbool, where the alterations director Vishal Bharadwaj (who transformed Macbeth into his … Read more

Lady Macbeth – Masculine Nature

Shakespeare has portrayed Lady Macbeth as a woman with immense power who is more ambitious than her male counterpart – Macbeth – and is willing to do any ruthless act to achieve her desires. This is evident immediately in Act 1 Scene 5 where she first appears to her audience, revealing her dark and terrifying … Read more

Macbeth (2015) directed by Justin Kurzel

Macbeth (2015) directed by Justin Kurzel brilliantly describes the tale of a man who is corrupted by his ambition and ultimately comes to his demise by his tragic flaw. A brilliant depiction of the play, with excellent acting, beautiful cinematography, and a haunting soundtrack. This essay will analyze the technical production elements, the themes, and … Read more

Theatrical references in The Tempest, Macbeth and As You Like It

Shakespeare is well known for placing many theatrical references in his plays. They can be found in The Tempest, Macbeth, and perhaps most famously in Jaques “All the world’s a stage” speech in As You Like It. Despite this running theme, the use of this theatrical metaphor stands out much more noticeably in Hamlet. In … Read more

Female roles: Lady Macbeth, Wolf-Alice & the unnamed female in The Bloody Chamber

The most famous female role to review is Lady Macbeth; her lack of innocence is perfectly clear, due to her murderous intent, however many still debate her seductive nature. Some critics ‘depict her as seductive, luring her husband towards crime by playing the part of his ‘dearest chuck’’ This interpretation of her is appealing to … Read more

Conflict presented in ‘Macbeth’

There are many types of conflict presented in ‘Macbeth’, given that it is one of the main themes, the most notable ones being internal conflict, the conflict between the natural and unnatural and marital conflict. Shakespeare presents each of these different types of conflict dramatically through soliloquies and direct conversation and relationships throughout the play. … Read more

Honour and Dishonour in Macbeth (notes)

Macbeth: Honourable Actions: Macbeth’s loyalty towards King Duncan pre-murder Dishonourable Actions: Murdering King Duncan who greatly admired Macbeth and looked at him like a son Macbeth sending Mercenaries to kill Banquo and Fleance Macbeth sending Mercenaries to kill Macduff’s wife and children Macbeth’s constant disregard of the life and feelings of others Macbeth is a … Read more

Functionalism of blood (literal/metaphorical) in The Bible and Macbeth

Blood; a term used both literally and metaphorically in a myriad of ways to portray a multitude of hidden meanings, hidden emotions, and undetermined futures. Authors often use blood as a mechanism of placing subtle emphasis on key ideas that we as readers may mindlessly overlook. I intend to analyze the functionalism of blood in … Read more

Macbeth and Slaughterhouse-Five

At first glance, Macbeth and Slaughterhouse-Five have very little in common. However, both pieces of literature show main characters that go through traumatic events such as war and the lasting effects that affect the characters’ actions throughout the books. In both books, characters are subjected to traumatic events that have a negative effect on their … Read more

How Shakespeare presents the changing relationship between the Macbeths

Explain how Shakespeare presents the changing relationship between the Macbeths. You must consider language, form & structure and refer to the context of the play. Shakespeare created a play called Macbeth and it was set in Scotland in the 11th century when there was political instability at the time. The first performance of this play … Read more

The Three Witches of Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s tragic play Macbeth reveals the rise and fall of the tragic hero Macbeth through the development of the drama’s main characters. Throughout the plot of the story, each character undergoes a change in his or her initial nature. Specifically, Macbeth’s most potent developed trait is his integrity, or lack thereof. In the opening … Read more

Characteristics of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” presents us with a shocking look into the minds of some of the most despicable characters ever created, a brutal and often disturbing reminder of the very worst of human nature. Nonetheless, it manages to create a pair as loathsome as they are pitiable and it is my view that both Macbeth and … Read more

Use of imagery by Shakespeare in Macbeth

“Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles” (Shakespeare). The play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, surrounds a man named Macbeth and his wife who try to tamper with order and fate, which ultimately backfires tragically. Shakespeare uses many elements of imagery to illustrate the the theme of disorder which is based off the Elizabethan concept of universal … Read more

The sources of Macbeth’s downfalls

The downfalls in Macbeth’s life derive from the three witches’ prophecies in the tragic play, Macbeth written by William Shakespeare. Macbeth encounters the Weird Sisters’ supernatural forces and chooses to depend his destiny as a prosperous leader on their prophecies, which ultimately lead to paranoia, greed and manipulation in his thoughts. Macbeth’s death and downfall … Read more

Use of the supernatural forces in Macbeth

The supernatural forces are used to great effect in Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth.” From the beginning until the end of the play, the forces generate fear, tension and suspense, heightened by the superstition at the time at which the play was first performed in 1606 when even the King, James I, was a firm believer in … Read more

The Role of Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare during the Elizabethan Age and during that time the people believed that there were witches and dark magic. Therefore, they believed in the supernatural and as a result the play consists of supernatural element and how the supernatural convinces Macbeth’s downfall. However, the first scene itself brings out how … Read more

Macbeth is a tragedy of ambition

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, we discover that Macbeth is a tragic hero. Macbeth is very ambitious, courageous, and a moral coward: all these things lead to his tragic death at the end of the play. Macbeth’s journey from a noble warrior to a tyrant consumed by ambition illustrates the complexity of human … Read more

Macbeth (theatre history)

On February 26th at the Olivier Theatre in London, National Theatre opened their production of Macbeth. Directed by Rufus Norris this reimagining of the Shakespeare classic had a approximate runtime of two hours and 30 minutes with an intermission. The lead roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth would be played by Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie … Read more

Themes of guilt and blood in Macbeth

Throughout history, blood has been a powerful symbol to show the cruelty of one’s actions. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the blood of the crimes is used to represent the guilty conscience that the Macbeth’s face, only worsening as the play goes on. This story demonstrates the guilt of the Macbeth’s through the bloody dagger that … Read more

Macbeth’s Deteriorating Mental Health

Although physical distractions such as Lady Macbeth and the Witches played a role in the ambition for Macbeth to go above and beyond to eliminate his enemies, the elements of damaging mental health, interpersonal difficulties, and psychological problems all lead, in the end, to complete self-destruction. This essay seeks to educate the reader on how … Read more

How does Shakespeare’s Macbeth explore what it takes to be a good leader?

How does Shakespeare's "Macbeth" explore what it takes to be a good leader? In Shakespeare's ‘Macbeth’, we see various examples of leadership. There are two main leaders, the first is King Duncan, the reigning monarch and the second is Macbeth, who betrays his king and takes over the throne.  Duncan is portrayed as a generous … Read more

Monument 14 / Macbeth

People make decisions oftentimes based on emotions and feelings. Many times, when emotions are involved in critical situations, the logical choice becomes unclear and panic sets in. Furthermore, humans are also highly influenced by the environment in which they live and interact. This concept is often seen in literature works as well as many authors … Read more

Macbeth

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare; It dramatises the psychologically damaging effects of political ambition and greed on those who seek power for their own personal gain. In the play several writing techniques are exhibited to show the exaggerated rise and fall of Macbeth’s character and his actions that lead to the consequences. In … Read more

Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Throughout time Man has attempted to subvert the natural order to fulfill the desire for ascendancy. Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, explores the concept and the interplay of external and internal forces on one’s actions. While some might argue external forces were the main cause of Macbeth’s rise and fall, it was ultimately Macbeth’s troubled conscience, internal … Read more

Sigmund Freud and Macbeth

Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theory examines the manifestations, issues, reactions of a person’s subconscious. Freud believed that humans are guided by fears, desires or thoughts they are unaware of. According to what Freud said, there are three major components of personality: id, ego and super ego. The id works to satisfy basic needs and desires and … Read more

Macbeth’s downfall is due to both nature and nurture

The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues within psychology. Nature refers to factors such as genes and heredity that influence one’s behavior. Nurture refers to all the environmental characteristics that impact who we are, including our childhood experiences, how we were raised and the culture we were raised in. Some philosophers … Read more

Interviewing Stanley Wells on Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Uncovering Historic Context and Language Impact

 Rationale For my written task, I want to interview Sir Stanley Wells. Stanley Wells is one of the most influential Shakespeare scholars of the moment. He studied in UCL and has been awarded with numerous prizes for his books and has been knighted for his services to scholarship. I will ask him about the … Read more

Gender, Corruption & Power in Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Lady Macbeth Challenges Masculinity to Achieve Ambition.

 Kim Van Mr. Murphy World Literature (H) 20 November 2018 Full of Direst Cruelty: The Gender and Corruption of Power in Shakespeare’s Macbeth     The definition of “femininity” and “masculinity” has changed over time. In an article titled, “Traditional Masculinity and Femininity: Validation of a New Scale Assessing Gender Roles,” authors Sven Kachel, … Read more

Exploring Aristotle’s Poetics Through the Tragedy of Macbeth

Aristotle’s poetics In 335 BC, Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote Poetics; the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory that focuses on the ideals of tragedy and comedy. Tragedy, as Aristotle describes it, is “an imitation, not of men, but of an action and of life” (Butcher VI, 27). There should be one single, complete action, who’s … Read more

The Audience Reception of Political Context in 1 Henry IV and Macbeth

Research Essay Introduction: Audience Reception of Political Context within 1 Henry IV + Macbeth Provide thesis statement and how summaries of P 1 + P2 + P3 + P4 relate directly to answering the thesis statement. Paragraph 1: Shakespeare serving two masters / mistresses – QE I’s Censorship + His audience who enjoyed political scandal … Read more

Exploring Temptation & Human Desire Across Texts: Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice & Hamlet

 We humans face many spiritual, emotional and psychological struggles which can sometimes strengthen us and most of the time, have great consequence, ruining us and our key morals depending on the extent the struggle takes us. But these internal struggles are a part of being human and sometimes leave a footprint on the external … Read more

Exploring William Shakespeare’s Biography, Elizabethan Theatre and Macbeth

 In this essay I will be fully investigating and analysing the following; William Shakespeare’s biography information and historical significance; the development and era of Elizabethan theatre and how Shakespeare was influential on the period and a reflection on the elements of Macbeth that illustrate your research findings. Consequently, I will be deliberating them fully. … Read more

Meaning of Time in Shakespeare & Kurosawa’s Macbeths

 Amanda Middleton Shakespeare & Film 358:203 December 11, 2017 Macbeth: Tormented By Time Shakespeare’s Macbeth attempts to convey the tragic notion that life is meaningless because time is an unforgiving, repetitious cycle of life and death.  Throughout the play there are observations about the passage of time, fate, and how the past can control/destroy … Read more

Power Struggle Behind Macbeth & Lady Macbeth’s Relationship

 In the play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare begins in 1040 and establishes to the audience the strong relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, presenting it to be based on equality and shared power. However, as the play continues Shakespeare reveals to us how Lady Macbeth is a powerful and emasculating woman. Moreover, Macbeth is depicted … Read more

Downfall of Macbeth & Frankenstein: How Ambition Derailed Two Epic Characters

 Ambition is defined as “an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honour, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment” (dictionary.com). As such, ambition is an intense quality and one that should be desired. It can, however, be seen as a form of greed, if someone … Read more

How women are depicted in Macbeth and Frankenstein

Women can either make or break the world. They have the capability to run the world or completely destroy it, there are many different women in the world and each of them contributes individually. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth it is clear to see that the women in Frankenstein and Macbeth … Read more

Macbeth

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth it is believed that the universe and king were connected. Therefore, if the two were connected, when the king was killed the universe would respond with unnatural events. In this play, the unnatural events foreshadow evil. The unnatural occurrences in Macbeth predict the downfall of the kingdom and death of Macbeth; … Read more