"Certainly not tragic, not even heroic". How far do you agree with this estimation of the character Macbeth?
'CERTAINLY NOT TRAGIC, NOT EVEN HEROIC' HOW FAR DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS ESTIMATION OF THE CHARACTER MACBETH? The character Macbeth's personality undergoes a major upheaval during the play Macbeth. To depict what kind of a person he is entails describing what kind of fluctuations in probity and integrity his character goes through, and what kind of man he is perceived to be throughout the ages and his place in cultured history. In the First Folio, Macbeth is branded as a definite tragedy. However, Macbeth has spawned a number of works of art, ranging from the operas both entitled Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi and Ernst Blöch to The Lion King (which is based loosely around Macbeth). This suggests a much deeper and more complex character in Macbeth, not simply a clear cut tyrant or a valiant hero with a tragic flaw that scuppers him despite his best efforts. Therefore, the definition of the Macbeths as a 'dead butcher and his fiend-like wife' does not do justice to the multitudinous perspectives from which one must view the Macbeths to get a complete picture of their thought patterns. When considering whether Macbeth is a hero, it becomes evident that at the start of the play, before we even meet him, he is a successful general, noble and valiant in all he undertakes. This is shown particularly in the Captain's speech: 'Doubtful it stood, As two swimmers that do cling together
From the study of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is shylock presented as a villain or victim? To what extent will this view have changed from that of the original audience?
From the study of 'The Merchant of Venice' is shylock presented as a villain or victim? To what extent will this view have changed from that of the original audience? The play is set in the late 15th century and is mainly about the character of shylock a money lending Jew; he is trying to live a simplistic life as a simplistic character in Venice a country that would have despised and alienated Jewish people. Christians very much believed in their religion/faith and would have disliked any Jewish person. Therefore the original audience would have hated shylock because of his religious beliefs and his job of money lending, as Christians wouldn't have been able to this job, as it would disagree with their belief. Shakespeare captured the way Jews were portrayed in this play well and managed to display it in a certain way, which wouldn't offend, but captured both sympathy and understanding from the audience at the time. Shakespeare play would be looked at in a very different way in a modern performance as the audience wouldn't discriminate towards Jews/ shylock as Christians are taught differently to when the play was originally written and children would have learnt about different religions and cultures and could cope with a Jewish character. Shylock's first appearance in the play is in act 1 scene 3 and his first line is; " Three thousand ducats", this could be taken by
How does Shakespeare present the developing relationships of the lovers in the play?
How does Shakespeare present the developing relationships of the lovers in the play? Shakespeare wrote in a time of theatrical excellence, his love of language and sense of theatre aided him in the production of countless plays and poems. Much Ado About Nothing is a play of love and war, with a twist of comedy to lighten the tension ensuring the audience does not become overwhelmed with the emotions of the characters. According to the Elizabethans, a woman's aim was to be a good wife, as their ultimate goal was marriage and their status was to be 'seen and not heard'. Shakespeare's intention was to show two contrasting women, Beatrice and Hero, and to demonstrate how they deal with the pressure of a male dominated world. Because of her wit and determined outlook on life, Beatrice is accepted in the male community but is thought to be obdurate by most men. Whereas Hero, has a submissive attitude to life and this is exposed early on; Act 1 Scene 1 she does not speak throughout the entire scene until she is spoken to. Hero portrays the accepted standard of a woman of her time, which she is expected to do, as she is the daughter of the governor of Messina. During the play the men's dominating power draws to a climax, and the men unite and condemn Hero and despite her independent outlook, Beatrice cannot express her deepest feelings. Even Hero's father briefly rejects her because
much ado about nothing critique
How does Shakespeare present Love and Romance in Much Ado about nothing, through the relationships of Hero & Claudio and Benedick and Beatrice? Love and Romance are two major themes within "Much Ado About Nothing". They are approached through different relationships that have been developed by the writer throughout the play. William Shakespeare expresses through his creative writing style how romance differs with differing gradients of love. There are two main relationships that Shakespeare explores in the play they are Hero and Claudio and Benedick and Beatrice, there are however other romances that are touched on with Margaret and Borrachio. There was much pressure on couples during the 16th Century period to marry. Especially woman, to marry was at that time one of the key objectives in a woman's life. Love was seen in a very different light than it is viewed in modern times. During the play Claudio falls in love with Hero even before talking to her, he bases his love completely on her appearance and apparent financial stability. I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn on the contrary, if Hero be my wife" Shakespeare has presented an ideal couple in the sixteenth century with Hero and Claudio. They marry for social enrichment as this is the correct path to follow, this is not because of true love but this is what society at this time is expecting. Hero is wooed
Explore Shakespeares presentation of Lady Macbeth and the witches. How might the presentation of female characters in Macbeth appeal to an Elizabethan audience?
Rio Poulton Explore Shakespeare's presentation of Lady Macbeth and the witches. How might the presentation of female characters in 'Macbeth' appeal to an Elizabethan audience? Macbeth is a tragic play written by Shakespeare to entertain King James. As the play is a tragedy the play must have a down fall. There are different themes which are shown through-out the play such as murder, ambition and events that involve supernatural. Supernatural in presented in the play, because in 1606 when it was preformed people of those days believed in a lot of supernatural, witches and ghosts. These themes play a big part in the play. The play involved king James' ancestors but King James didn't not know this as it is based on a true story but Shakespeare changed all the things about the play that would give it away that it involved King James and his family. In act 1 Scene 1 Shakespeare begins with the three witches as it brings the theme of supernatural which people where interested in back then and drags the audience in as they now know that anything could happen. Pathetic fallacy is used to create tension at the start of the play. The thunder and lightening which connects to the witches and this is the sort of pathetic fallacy that you would expect to see if anything like witches are involved as witches are known to be evil and nasty and this means that the weather links with them
'The ghost is a useful dramatic device but for a modern audience its effect is to diminish rather than enhance the play's impact'
'The ghost is a useful dramatic device but for a modern audience its effect is to diminish rather than enhance the play's impact' A ghost was a common feature in the genre of an Elizabethan revenge play of which Hamlet is a prime example. Shakespeare has endued the ghost in Hamlet with several functions, all of which are vital to the plays impact and development. However connotations of the ghost were very different for a Shakespearian audience, therefore it is possible that variation in the way in which the ghost is received may diminish the plays impact for a modern audience. In the Elizabethan period people had much stronger ties to religion than we have today. Despite being an officially protestant country, there were many who continued to practise the old faith, and who had yet to eschew the catholic idea of purgatory, where souls went to expiate their sins before going to heaven. Elizabethan audiences therefore had a stronger conception of the idea of heaven and hell, and the existence of ghosts or spirits in purgatory. These beliefs were very common in Shakespeare's time and are evident from the fact that in the play, Hamlet never actually doubts the existence of the ghost, he only questions its intentions. He speculates, 'The spirit I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power'. Therefore one of the various attributes of the ghost in Hamlet is its ambiguity,
In this essay I am going to discuss Macbeth's character and behaviour at the beginning of the play and compare it to his behaviour at the end of the play.
Holiday Homework In this essay I am going to discuss Macbeth's character and behaviour at the beginning of the play and compare it to his behaviour at the end of the play. I intend to do this by examining his character as the play progresses and then forming a conclusion at the end. Macbeth is a classic tragic figure brought to ruin by his own greed, guilt, and fear. Shakespeare intensifies Macbeth's tragic nature by showing him to be a valiant hero in the beginning of the play. He is a courageous warrior and one of King Duncan's best generals. In the second scene of the play, Macbeth has just won his most important battle and saved Scotland from the Norwegian King. To honour his bravery, King Duncan gives Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor. This is one of the first steps to Macbeth's undoing, for he longs to be more than just a thane. His innate greed is first inflamed by three wicked witches who prophesy to Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland. When the first prophecy comes to pass, Macbeth immediately begins to long for greater power. He realizes that in order to seize the throne from the king, he will have to murder him. Being a basically kind man, he is horrified at his own thoughts and decides murder is beyond his capability. He decides to let fate take its course, and if he is meant to be king, it will happen. But the seed of greed
Romeo and Juliet - how Juliet develops through the play.
Romeo and Juliet The Elizabethan society was patriarchal, meaning that men were considered to be the leaders and women their inferiors. Women were regarded as "the weaker sex", not just in terms of physical strength, but emotionally too. It was believed that women always needed someone to look after them. This is when our play is set so in theory Juliet should obey rules, but as we find out she does not always obey the times of the day just because she is a woman. Throughout this essay, I am going analyse the transformation of Juliet. The Prologue tells us that the prince is effectively wasting his time even thought he does not know it. So this shows the theme of destiny, linking to the prologue: "star cross'd lovers." This tells the audience that the pair of lovers are not meant to be together even before the play starts. We know from the start that she is going on a journey that will result in her transformation Juliet's character in the beginning of the story conveys that she is a very obedient child, this is illustrated by, "Madam, I am here what is your will?" This conveys that Juliet is devoting herself to whatever may be asked of her. Also, the word "Madam" tells us that her family is of higher status in her house than others, so she is respectful and selfless. In this scene Juliet is also referred to as a lamb: "I bade her come, what lamb." This reference to a
The Gender Transformation of Caesar
The Gender Transformation of Caesar Shakespeare's Julius Caesar opens with the concurrent celebrations of Caesar's defeat of Pompey and the annual fertility festival of Lupercal. The coupling of the two historically separate events each celebrating distinct gender roles dramatically highlights the importance of gender characterization. Rome's patriarchal society demands a leader who embodies the virile spirit of the state with leadership marked by strength, courage, and constancy. Caesar quite fittingly assumes this role as he returns valiant and victorious from the battlefields; thus, in order to remove him the strong ruler of Rome, Caesar's enemies must retrench his masculinity. Roman society considers women as the embodiment of weaknesses, thinking that their physical, mental, and political inferiority make them of little use beyond reproductive purposes, explaining why aspirants to the throne feminize the identity of the masculine warrior figure to position him as unfit for the crown. The portrayal of the two female characters of the novel, Portia and Calphurnia, captures the prevailing stereotypical perceptions of women. Caesar's wife, Calphurnia, demonstrates women's predisposition towards fearfulness and superstition when she pleads with Caesar to remain at home after dreaming that a statue made in the likeness was Cesar pouring forth blood. Calphurnia establishes
How does Shakespeare Make Act 4 Scene 1 exciting and dramatic?
Shakespeare Course-work Unit. How does Shakespeare Make Act 4 Scene 1 exciting and dramatic? Act 4 Scene 1 is a very dramatic and exciting scene, because it give the story that all-important twist. It opens up the story and keeps the suspense going. Shakespeare builds up to Act 4 scene 1, to make the scene more enjoyable and exciting for us as an audience. He does this using dramatic irony. In Act 3 Scene 2 L: 60-100 Don John convinces Don Pedro and Claudio that Hero is not "a maid" in this sense meaning virgin. Don John uses the words "Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero." (3,2 L: 78) This is shocking here because it strongly suggests that Hero is not a woman for one man, but every man's woman, she is nothing but a "common stale." Claudio tells Don John that if he is given proof he will not marry her. He says (3,2 L91-92) "If I see anything tonight, why I should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation, why I should not wed, there will I shame her." This is telling us that he is prepared to humiliate her and embarrass her in front of every one in the congregation. Thus the audience is left awaiting a dramatic showdown, knowing that the most character in the drama are expecting events to proceed happily. We know that Claudio can be easily manipulated making it more believable for us as an audience. We would expect Claudio to defend Hero but he believes what he
