Analysis of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
English Literature GCSE Essay Piece : Character analysis of Lady Macbeth and her relationship with Macbeth Lady Macbeth is a complex and intriguing character - she presents various elements in her character, often surprising us with sudden turns of personality. This reflects with Macbeth and her, causing various changes in their relationship - drawing them both closer together, and pushing them away from one another. When we first meet Lady Macbeth in Act One, Scene 5, she is reading Macbeths letter. This is the letter that openly tells word for word what happened and what the witches told Macbeth. He obviously had no hesitation in being so open with his wife, which is notable. Straight away, Lady Macbeth takes from the letter her own interpretation, saying that she knows that Macbeth must now kill Duncan so that he can be King as the witches have said, but she also analyses his nature from the letter, fearing that he will be too good natured to carry it out. This suggests that she knows at this point that she is going to have to persuade him. As the scene progresses, an Attendant comes in and tells Lady Macbeth that the King is on his way to the castle to stay with them. Once he leaves, Lady Macbeth is speaking as if she is ultimately sure that this murder will go ahead. But she is fully aware that it is going to be emotionally very difficult to go through with, and she
How and why does Othello's character change during the course of the play? How does Shakespeare present this dramatically?
How and why does Othello's character change during the course of the play? How does Shakespeare present this dramatically? When Othello is sent to war in Cyprus, the Moor's character changes over the course of time. His language and attitude towards people, including his innocent wife, begins to differ for the worse. Othello's wild behaviour worries Desdemona incredibly as he changes a lot from his calm and gentle nature from before. Shakespeare presents this transformation through Othello's syntax and dramatic irony. His confused logic is evident in his actions whether they are violent or passionate. When Othello is in his home city of Venice, his attitude towards others is calm, shown when Cassio enters warning him that Brabantio is after him, he replies, "'Tis well I am found by you: I will but spend a word here in the house and go with you." Othello doesn't react to the words of Cassio, he stands confidently as he hasn't done anything wrong. He is a man of bravery and self-assurance. When Brabantio arrives, he orders his officers to seize Othello, but in reply, the Moor says, "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them." This humorous comment breaks the tense atmosphere and relaxes the viewers' thoughts on the situation. Shakespeare is clearly trying to show Othello's confidence and self-control as strangers approach him. This annoys Brabantio, as he feels
How Do Iago's soliloquies set the play up for act 3 scene 3?
Jo Winter Year 10 Shakespeare Coursework Othello III.iii How does Iago transform Othello's character in III.iii and in what ways does Shakespeare show us this change William Shakespeare's works have stood the test of time, and this is definitely not due to coincidence. The use of language throughout his plays to portray ideas and intentions are what set him aside from other play writes of his time, and the tragic Othello is no exception. The play is driven by the depiction of the transformation of the play's leading role, Othello, whose love for his wife Desdemona is manipulated and twisted by the antagonistic Iago. The outcome of the ordeal is that Othello's character drastically changes. It is this change that creates this masterpiece. The setting of the play is a vital part in defining the character Othello, as it places him against a back drop of political chaos which acts as a perfect catalyst to the confused marital issues faced by the character due to the clash of his public and private life. Initially the play is set in Venice, where all is well. A land of peace without confusion and conflict, it is here where Othello is regarded as a highly respected general, and a war hero. His status is shown by the articulate nature of his speech, which is apparent in his meeting with the Duke in Act one, scene three "Most potent grave and reverend signors," "my very noble
Explore the dramatic presentation of love in Romeo and Juliet(TM)
In the Prologue of 'Romeo and Juliet' we are immediately introduced to the theme of love that runs throughout the play. "Two star-crossed lovers". Shakespeare introduces us to various types of love, portrayed through different character relationships. For instance, we see conventional love through Romeo and Rosaline and the idea of the Patrachan lover, romantic and sexual love, which is seen between Romeo and Juliet and, finally, parental love, portrayed in Capulet and Lady Capulet and Juliet. We also see love from a more cynical view, through Mercutio. In 'Romeo and Juliet' two characters primarily link love and sex. They are the Nurse and Mercutio. At the mentioning of love these two people always talk about sex. This can be seen mainly in Act 1 Scene 4, and how Mercutio thinks about love. At this point in the play Romeo is very distant and unhappy, Mercutio uses this as an opportunity to try and humour Romeo, using wit, sexual innuendo and imagery. "O'er ladies lips, whos straight on kisses dream". He uses more sexual innuendo throughout the play when the subject of love is mentioned. This is also seen when discussing Rosaline outside Capulet's mansion. He uses sexual images, for example, "Quivering thigh". This suggests a cynical attitude towards love, as he is never heard to mention non-sexual attributes when talking about a woman. The Nurse also links love and sex
What makes the opening of Romeo and Juliet so effective?
What makes the opening of Romeo and Juliet so effective? There is no dought that the opening to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is very effective in Baz Luhrmann's new film. Unlike most films we are told at the start what is going to happen, we are told it is inevitable. This works very well, as most people know what happens in Romeo and Juliet so doesn't spoil the film. Shakespeare wrote the prologue but Baz Luhrmann updates it using news media. The first thing that we see is a television in the middle of a dark room being switched on, as the camera gradually zooms in on the television we realise that it is a news broadcast. The presenter is reading Shakespeare's original prologue about a feud between two families. The camera continues to zoom in so that an image of a broken ring becomes clear in the corner of the screen. The camera then makes you feel as you are entering the news broadcast and out in to a giant city where we see flashes of opposing things between the two families. We are shown two enormous skyscrapers with the names Capulet and Montegue in large capital letters on top of them. To reinforce the conflict between the two families Baz Luhrmann starts off by putting the prologue across in numerous ways. First it is read by the news presenter using the original lines written by Shakespeare, and then secondly by a voice over while we are still watching the
What techniques does Shakespeare use to reveal Iago's villainy?
What techniques does Shakespeare use to reveal Iago's villainy? The play Othello is a stereotypical Shakespearean tragedy and it uses characters that are stereotypical of the views people had during the Jacobean period. Othello is a tragedy because the main characters die at the end f the play, also throughout the play themes of prejudice; deceit and love/hate are introduced. Shakespeare has used other sources other that his imagination for his plays. 'Othello' was thought to have been taken from Hecatommithi, a collection of Italian short stories written by Giraldi Cinthio, the story seven contains many of the same names and situations as in Othello. In this essay I will analyze and comment on how Shakespeare uses techniques to reveal Iago's villainy. I will look at what effects the techniques Shakespeare uses have on the way Iago is presented to the audience. In act 2 scene 3 'Othello' we can clearly see the way Iago uses his surreptitious mind to persuade Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Casio. Due to Iago's manipulation of Othello, Othello starts to doubt Desdemona's loyalty and becomes under Iago's control. Iago uses a sly way to get Othello's attention and get him to believe what he has to say is true, he uses phrases such as "my noble lord" using both a personal pronoun by saying "my" and flattery by calling Othello his "noble lord" which would be
Macbeth- Good vs evil
Good V.S. Evil Every single person has good and evil in them. We are all capable of doing good and bad things. Sometimes people want more power or money and they do evil things because they are greedy, or are just influenced by something and want it. In the play, Macbeth, the title hero has good and evil in him. He starts out as a heroic soldier, but soon kills many people to gain and keep power. In William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, the title character is a good person but it corrupted by his thirst for power. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is an honorable, respected character. He starts out as a heroic soldier that fights for his country. He is brave and does everything he can to be a great soldier. Everyone, including the king, Duncan, respects Macbeth. Macbeth also shows a lot of respect for everyone: "Thou art so far before, that swiftest wing of recompense is slow to overtake thee." (1.4.19-21) Duncan tells Macbeth that he deserves more thanks that it's possible to give for saving Duncan, by fighting for Scotland. Duncan thinks Macbeth is a heroic soldier. He thinks Macbeth is brave and courageous and he trusts him. Duncan and Macbeth have a good relationship and both respect each other. Duncan is happy to have such a wonderful man to be one of his soldiers, and Macbeth is pleased to be a soldier for King Duncan. The witches play an important role
Imagery in Othello
Write about the use of imagery in 'Othello' and its contribution to the overall effect of the play. In Shakespeare's Othello, the use of imagery, and especially symbolism, is most important in expressing meanings and builds the major themes of the play in order to create dramatic atmosphere. The function of imagery was predominately to generate characterisation and to define the themes in the play. Shakespeare's application of imagery is vital in affecting the reaction of the audience and allows the audience to understand the play in more depth. There are many ways in which imagery is used in Othello and it is conveyed in many different areas. Poison is a key area in which Shakespeare more than dips into with the play. The idea of poison is most strongly associated with Iago, the heinous villain of the play that controls everyone around him, as a sort of puppeteer, manipulating both their thoughts and their actions. Iago's main agenda is to ruin the life of Othello, his master and general, and he achieves this by blackening and poisoning people's minds with his power of persuasion. Poison is a recurring image in the play and it first appears near the beginning of the play, where Iago and Roderigo go to inform Senator Brabantio that Othello has married his daughter, the fair Desdemona, and Iago most certainly goes in order to blacken Brabantio's idea of Othello. 'Call up her
Is Macbeth a horrible monster of is he a sensitive man - a victim of the witches, chance, his wife, and his own ambitions? In a curious way is he both?!
Essay III - Macbeth . Is Macbeth a horrible monster of is he a sensitive man - a victim of the witches, chance, his wife, and his own ambitions? In a curious way is he both?! Macbeth was one of Shakepeare's most famous plays, it is essentially the story of a man who was once honourable and valiant. He was devoted to his king and country. We assume he was initially a good, loyal friend and loving husband. This same man over the duration of the play changes his persona in many ways and finally due to his own actions meet his fate. The play starts with a meeting of three witches, they converse about their plans. They advise of a meeting with Macbeth after the battle is over, "Upon the heath". The play continues and we discover that the current Thane of Cawdor has betrayed the King. The King, Duncan is very displeased and condemns the man to death. Duncan gives Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor, but a this point in the play Macbeth has no knowledge of the Thane's death or of the Kings instructions. The witches meet on the heath as previously planned, Macbeth and his companion Banquo stubble across the woman. They are completely oblivious to the fact that the witches have been waiting for them. This scene is the most critical so far and lays the foundation for the changes in Macbeth's unblemished persona. The witches say firstly to Macbeth "All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee,
Write about how Shakespeare uses dramatic technique and language to create an atmosphere of evil and suspense in the first three scenes of Macbeth, and how he prepares the audience for what happens in the rest of the play.
Write about how Shakespeare uses dramatic technique and language to create an atmosphere of evil and suspense in the first three scenes of Macbeth, and how he prepares the audience for what happens in the rest of the play. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays and has been in acted several times in theatres and plays. Shakespeare wrote two types of plays, comedies and tragedies. Macbeth is one of the shortest tragedies written by Shakespeare. It was written between 1603 and 1607, during the reign of King James 1 of England. Evidence suggests that Macbeth was written by command as one of the plays to be given before King James and the King of Scotland during the latter's visit to England in 1606. Shakespeare based some characters in the play (Macbeth, Mac duff and Duncan) roughly o records of real people in Holinshed's Chronicles, a history book from 1587. However, the things that happen in the play are very different to what happened in real life. The play begins with a trio of witches who are reading the future and also casting spells, it is uncertain whether they are seeing the future and are, casting spells to make the events of the future come true. The play then moves on to a military camp of Scottish King Of Duncan where he hears the news that his generals Macbeth and Banquo have defeated two separate invading armies, one from Ireland and the other from
