I think that Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' does satisfy those who believe that plays should teach a moral lesson by rewarding the good and punishing the bad.

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Macbeth

I think that Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ does satisfy those who believe that plays should teach a moral lesson by rewarding the good and punishing the bad.

Macbeth is an evil character during most of the play. Towards the end of the play Macduff, referring to Macbeth, says;

                     “Here may you see the tyrant”

                       (Act 5 / scene 6 / line 56)

To deserve this epithet, Macbeth has carried out many evil deeds. He murders the king, Duncan, so that he could become king himself. He was punished for this by the fact that his conscience was constantly reminding him of what he had done. He couldn’t sleep because, after he murdered Duncan, he heard voices that said;

                  “…. Sleep no more!                                                                                                                      

               Macbeth does murder sleep – the innocent sleep”

                      (Act 2 / scene 2 / lines 35-36)

This first act also made Macbeth seek more security by organising the murder of Banquo and later, out of fear of Macduff, the killings of Macduff’s wife and children. Although in both cases he did not commit the deed he gave the orders to make them happen.

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Again he had justice brought to him. The witches had told us that Banquo’s sons would one day be kings, which meant that Macbeth’s reign would be a barren one. When Banquo was murdered Fleance, Banquo’s son, escaped so we know that this is still a possibility. Macbeth was very disturbed by the fact that Fleance was not killed.

                     Murderer                      “Most royal sir,

                         Fleance is scap’d”

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