To what Extent is Macbeth a Play of Antithesis?

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To what Extent is Macbeth a Play of Antithesis?

Macbeth, like many of Shakespeare's famous plays, relies heavily on antithesis to convey its inner meaning. It is very important that each place has opposing forces and parallels, and these make it much better. Shakespeare uses a variety of techniques like cultural significance, charisma and motivating ideas to get his unique message across in each play. Macbeth is one play that incorporates an especially large amount of contrast, and this is evident in almost every scene. There are many on-going themes that are intertwined and help to give the tragedy significance, and essentially keep the audience engrossed. We cannot fully appreciate much of this as citizens of the twenty-first-century, as Shakespeare cleverly integrated many topics specific to the time when he wrote Macbeth. His audiences - especially King James I - who were able to see his plays as he intended, could completely understand what Shakespeare wanted to represent and understand better the way he captivated audiences and kept them interested. People of the Elizabethan times lived very interesting lives - there was always something going on - and for the King of England, Macbeth bore increased impact - James I was a direct relative of some characters and also knew all too well about attempts on a monarch's life, in light of the recent 'Gunpowder Plot'. The characters show real individualism and at times it is almost impossible not to sympathise with Macbeth after he is drawn further and further into evil ways by his ambition. Often, one is drawn into criticising a character's actions as they are so vividly realised in Shakespeare's writing.

Macbeth is truly a superb play, one that appeals to many people on an almost personal level. The many soliloquies give the audience an insight into his mind and mentality. We can begin to realise and understand his motives and time come when you even begin to sympathise with Macbeth. The morals are incredibly deep and induce concentrated thought. Macbeth shocks from the start and would have been very controversial in 1606. James I also had an avid interest in witches, and it seems the mysterious scenes with the witches in Macbeth were tailored to the king's curiosity. In fact, Shakespeare was very sympathetic towards the king and even changed the true story of Macbeth slightly to avoid embarrassing James I. Shakespeare decided to flatter James as well and often tried to make him and his relatives seem kind and in the image of a 'good king'. Macbeth works on many levels and has intricate morals. The power of the word is evident as Shakespeare demonstrates his use of rich and strong language. He manipulates English and creates varied and imaginative images, and dripping with atmosphere, sounds and clever puns.

Macbeth would have had massive cultural significance when it was written when compared to today and would have been more accessible to everyone. The play starts with an unusual, provoking scene on a deserted moor where three witches are meeting. In 1606, people were scared of witches and believed they existed, so this would have had a far greater effect on seventeenth-century audiences when any mention of witches was a mild taboo. This was probably a controversial play in its time, and the first scene would have been more shocking and interesting to Shakespeare's original viewers. A law was even passed in 1604 to allow the execution of witches. James I was also interested in the supernatural - he wrote a book entitled Demonology about witchcraft - and a play with heavy supernatural influences would have appealed him. Once an attempt was even made on his life by a 'witch'. He would have been riveted from the start due to this clever introductory scene that leaves a lot to the imagination.

The 'good king, bad king' theme would also have referred directly to the current king in 1606 - King James I. Throughout the performance, we are constantly reminded that Duncan and Malcolm are brave, 'good' kings and that Macbeth is corrupt and evil - almost defining a 'bad' king. He was the first person to see Shakespeare's play in action, and it was actually written for him. Of course Shakespeare would have tried to flatter James I, and took away all responsibility of Duncan's murder from James' family (the Stuarts) - he made the Macbeths solely responsible as James naturally hated regicides. Also the murder of the king in Macbeth would have particular relevance to James I. Under a year ago, James had escaped from the infamous Gunpowder Plot. Macbeth paying the ultimate penalty for usurping the 'correct' king, and losing everything he cared for could discourage any other would-be conspirators. One plotter, Everard Digby was a favourite of James I and could be represented by the disloyal Thane of Cawdor in Act I.
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There are many strong themes and morals in Macbeth. Many of them are related and they also had cultural significance. Appearance versus Reality is a significant theme in Macbeth. Shakespeare was interested by how a character appears to everyone else compared to what they really feel inside. Just before the murder, Lady Macbeth tells her husband to "...look like the innocent flower/But be the serpent under 't." (I, v, 64-5) She wants Macbeth to be brave and ruthless but not give himself away. Later, in scene seven, Macbeth wants to appear man-like and courageous to his womanly wife ...

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