Macbeth. The value system that Macbeth has adopted by the end of the play is one of nihilism. This is conveyed through his indifferent delivery of the absence of meaning in life, and muted response to his wifes death.

English Macbeth Essay

The value system that Macbeth has adopted by the end of the play is one of nihilism. This is conveyed through his indifferent delivery of the absence of meaning in life, and muted response to his wife’s death. His new method of behaving and responding in the moment, without a considerate thought process of his past, present, and future actions, is manifested through the absence of paradox. At the end of the play he is neither filled with positivity, nor is he filled with negativity, he is simply empty.

In Act I Scene II, it is evident that Macbeth is seen as a hero to Scotland “But all’s too weak/For Brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-.” (Act I scene II line 16) The King is impressed with Macbeth’s valor and names him Thane of Cawdor. This scene gives us the initial impression that Macbeth is a respected, honorable man, before he has even appeared in the play. This introduction to Macbeth’s character effectively distinguishes him as a ‘good guy’, or in other words, the protagonist of the play.

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One of the first paradoxes spoken by Macbeth occurs in Act I scene III, following the fulfillment of the witches’ first prophecy-that Macbeth shall be Thane of Cawdor-. “This supernatural soliciting/Cannot be ill; cannot be good.” (Act I scene III line 130) By this Macbeth is saying that the recent abnormal events (the appearance of the witches and their first prophecy being fulfilled immediately) can be both good and bad. In contrast to Banquo’s instantaneous doubt; “oftentimes, to win us our harm, /The instruments of Darkness tell us truths;/Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence.” (Act I Scene III line 122) Macbeth’s seems to be considering the witches prophecies, although he has some doubt, he is not fully convinced that everything was a coincidence. This paradox is an outward manifestation of Macbeth’s inner thoughts, his reflection on what has just happened, and how it might impact him in the future. This marks the beginning of what will soon be a ritual adopted by Macbeth. Following an important event, Macbeth will use paradox to illustrate his confused thoughts, and to guide his future actions.

In Act I Scene VII Macbeth immerges again as a protagonist, when compared against his wife. His good conscience is visible when he tells Lady Macbeth that he cannot go through with killing Duncan. “We will proceed no further in this business./ He hath honor’d me of late” (Act I scene VII line 32). Here Macbeth, after considering killing Duncan, comes to the conclusion that he shouldn’t. This shows us he has morals and at this point in the play we respect him. Unfortunately Lady Macbeth’s quick-tongued responses lead him to reconsider his supposed ‘firm’ stance, and at the end of the scene Macbeth decides to Kill Duncan.

Act II scene II follows directly after the murder of Duncan, and Macbeth experiences great internal conflict. “I am afraid to think what I have done;/Look on’t again I dare not.” (Act II scene II line 54) Macbeth cannot admit to what he has done. He knows killing Duncan was a disintegration of his morals. This conveys his guilt coupled with a sliver of humanity, he still feels remorse for what he has done. The soliloquy ends with Macbeth saying “To know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself” (Act II scene II line 77). Here he insinuates that he plans to ‘block out’ what has happened, or in other words, ‘forget’. This could be seen as a ‘disintegration’ of identity, which compliments his dramatic change in character. As the play progresses there is a steady breakdown of Macbeth’s identity, causing him to be ‘not himself’ by the end. By this point in the play Macbeth is still somewhat sane, but his innocence is slowly escaping him, as he has murdered his King for his own ‘benefit.

Act III scene I is the height of Macbeth’s ‘evil’ rise. “To be thus is nothing./But to be safely thus.” (Act III, scene I) Macbeth is saying that to be king is of no importance unless he is safe. This statement depicts his ambition, and greed, but also his paranoia. Macbeth’s next goal is to annihilate Banquo, this highlights his betrayal and distrust towards Banquo, his once respected friend, amplifying Macbeth’s dramatic change in character from the beginning of the play until this scene. “Both of you know/Banquo was your enemy” (Act III scene I line 117) Macbeth’s cruelty is underlined as he speaks to the murderers he has hired to kill Banquo.

Conclusion notes:

His dialectical processes have reached their conclusion.

The use of paradox has been indicative of Macbeth’s reflection and evaluation throughout the play. Shakespeare has implemented them to predict and produce change.

We all die in the end….time is essentially worthless-→ death

‘full of sound and fury/signifying nothing”
sees life as a short, minimal impact existence. Simply illusion has no real significance-‘actor worrying about his time on stage (quote)’