Who is most to blame for the tragedy of Macbeth?
Who is most to blame for the tragedy of Macbeth? The tragedy of Macbeth is he that he is being constantly transformed throughout the play; from a loyal and wise nobleman to the over-ambitious dead king he finished as. But who is to blame for Macbeths 'misfortune'? The major candidate is of course is Macbeth, that his tragedy was self-inflicted. The other major nominees are Lady Macbeth and the three witches or 'weird sisters' as they are referred to in the play. The witches are arguably the catalysts, at the beginning of the play, for what was to follow. They ignite the ambition, which was perhaps already burning within Macbeth. The first example of this is at the beginning of the play. Act1, scene3, lines 49-50. Banquo: Good sir, why do you start and seem to Fear things that do sound so fair? This shows that Macbeth is shocked after the Witches predictions, his good friend Banquo notices this. There is also a very important link with going's on later in the play. The antithesis between the words 'fair and fear', is linked to the ever present theme of 'fair and foul', and Macbeths confusion between the meaning of the two words. This Witches prediction of macbeth becoming Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King kindles Macbeths aspirations. Act 1, scene 3, lines 70.
How does Shakespeare show the 'seduction' of Othello by Iago in act III scene iii, through what the characters say and what the audience see?
How does Shakespeare show the 'seduction' of Othello by Iago in act III scene iii, through what the characters say and what the audience see? Seduction is the act of persuading someone to think the way that you want them to, or to convince someone into a different state of mind. This is what basically what happens in act III scene iii, Iago is in total control of Othellos mind. He does this in a very suttle and discreet way. Which turns out to be a pivotal point in the play. And the rest of the play depends on how this crucial scene crescendos. It is a key point in the play because it is where othellos mind re-routes and Iagos whole plan rides on how this scene plays out. Scene ii of act III is intentionally short because Shakespeare intended it to show how much Othello is in power of both himself and other people. When a character can order people to do something on stage it means that they are in control because other people obey and respect them. "These letters give, Iago, to the pilot, And by him do my duties to senate. That done, I will be walking on the works; Repair there to me." This shows Othello in Act III scene ii telling people what to do, "these letters give", "Repair there to me". Therefore he is in control of the stage, and himself. "Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul But I do love thee. And when I love thee not, Chaos will come again."
Doyle’s Background
Doyle's Background Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh. He was one of the children whose father was poorly paid civil servant and an alcoholic. Doyle married Louise Hawkins in 1885 and at the time he was interested in physic studies but studied medicine which he gave up as he was not succeeding. So instead he decided to pursue his first love which was writing. The features that make a gripping crime story are the development of suspense and mystery. In the story are "The man with the twisted lip" mystery is built up when Neville S.t Clair, alias the beggar Hugh Boone, sends his wife a letter explaining of his good health when Holmes believes he's been murdered. Crime writers also use stereotypical characters. This is typical in both Doyle's stories and modern day crime writing. The most likeliest of villains is a middle aged, aggressive, non-sociable man. (NR RoyCott) Another important feature to a crime story is the plot, it has to be original and it has to spark intrigue and enigma. The investigator who has the job of solving the crime has to be unique, resourceful and have super human intelligence and skill, something which Holmes has in abundance. Holmes character is one of originality. He is in one way eccentric due to the strange and bizarre challenging cases that he thrives on solving. Holmes is a very observant and intelligent man and acknowledges clues other
If you were directing Act 2 Scene 2, what would you want the audience to be aware of, and how might you draw their attention to these things?
Macbeth Coursework If you were directing Act 2 Scene 2, what would you want the audience to be aware of, and how might you draw their attention to these things? The play Macbeth is a tragedy, where the main character Macbeth is persuaded by three witches and his wife to kill the king, at the end of the play Macbeth dies a violent death. In the previous scene, Act 2 Scene 1, before going to kill King Duncan, Macbeth tests one of his friend's, Banquo, to see how loyal he might be in the future. In this scene, we can see a contrast between Banquo and Macbeth. This is because Banquo tells Macbeth how he is troubled by the witches: `I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters' (Act 2.1:line 20), Banquo here is telling the truth about the witches. Banquo asks Macbeth if the witches have troubled him, Macbeth lies and says: `I think not of them' (Act 2.1:line 21), he says he does not think of them. By saying this, it makes the audience think that the character Macbeth is a liar and a deceiver where Banquo is seen as an honest man. I think Shakespeare is showing Macbeth as a deceiver to prepare us for Macbeth's actions in the next scene and further on in the play, as he becomes more evil and deceives more people. The scene Act 2 Scene 2, is a very tense scene because at the beginning of the scene the audience and Lady Macbeth are waiting for the return of
Macbeth Act 1, scene 5 Analysis.
Act 1, scene 5 Analysis Coursework At Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth telling of his meeting with the witches. She fears that his nature is not ruthless enough, is "too full o' th' milk of human kindness," to murder Duncan and assure the completion of the witches' prophesy. He has ambition enough, she claims, but lacks the gumption to act on it. She then implores him to hurry home so that she can "pour [her] spirits in [his] ear," in other words, goad him on to the murder he must commit. When a messenger arrives with the news that Duncan is coming, Lady Macbeth calls on the heavenly powers to "unsex me here" and fill her with cruelty, taking from her all natural womanly compassion. When Macbeth arrives, she greets him as Glamis and Cawdor and urges him to "look like th'innocent flower, / but be the serpent under Œt," and states that she will make all the preparations for the king's visit and subsequent murder. If Macbeth is indecisive, Lady Macbeth is just the opposite a character with such a single vision and drive for advancement that she cannot help but bring about her own demise. And yet her very ruthlessness is another form of ambiguity, for in swearing to help Macbeth realize the Weird Sisters' prophecy, she must cast off her femininity. In a speech at the beginning of scene five, she calls on the spirits of the air to take away her womanhood:
What expectations are created in the first scene of Romeo and Juliet and how does Shakespeare establish these expectations?
G.C.S.E. English Literature Coursework Assignment: What expectations are created in the first scene of Romeo and Juliet and how does Shakespeare establish these expectations? Romeo and Juliet is a romance/tragedy by William Shakespeare set in the Italian post medieval city of Verona based on two lovers named Romeo (from the house of Montague) and Juliet (from the house of Capulet) who are hampered by their families hate for each other and are forced to death because of their families' conflict. This play brings up key themes hate and love throughout the play. At the start of the play the two Capulet servants Sampson and Gregory are in conversation and the come across one of the Montague servants, Abram and this causes friction because of the ongoing war between the two families. One of the leading members of The Montague's' enters, Benvolio. Benvolio tries to stop the conflict but one of the leading members of the Capulet family enters, Tybalt, and he destroys all attempts Benvolio might have tried to stop a conflict, and they fight with other members of the house joining in on the fray. This leads to a entrance from the Prince of Verona, which breaks up the fight and he then gives a speech, indicating that he and the city have had enough of the quarrels between the two families. He warns that if another quarrel was to happen then there will be big trouble. After the
Explain what Act 1, Scene 7 tells us about the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. What is troubling Macbeth at the beginning of the scene and how does Lady Macbeth persuade him to go through with the murder of Duncan?
25th October 2009 Macbeth essay- Explain what Act 1, Scene 7 tells us about the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. What is troubling Macbeth at the beginning of the scene and how does Lady Macbeth persuade him to go through with the murder of Duncan? To what extent is this the turning point in the play? The play of Macbeth epitomises everything that is great about Shakespeare. Relentless action, tragic deaths aplenty and, most importantly, several scenes that can be interpreted a number of ways, scenes that have sparked debate among actors, directors, students and scholars. Macbeth is one of the Bard's most popular tragedies, a genre of plays made popular by the playwright thanks to his explosive writing style and complex characters. The play also encompasses many themes that were popular during the age in which it was written; witchcraft being one. The witches have a small but important role in Macbeth, and their presence no doubt made the play more popular to the watching crowds. One of these such scenes is Act 1 Scene 7. The scene deals with Macbeth being persuaded to kill the King by his wily and determined wife. She ultimately triumphs due to her successful use of many persuasive techniques but is later overcome with guilt- guilt that leads to her apparent suicide. Conversely, in Act 1 Scene 7 and the scenes leading up to this
In Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, we meet several young noblemen, each with very different and unique characteristics.
Romeo & Juliet (Essay) In Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, we meet several young noblemen, each with very different and unique characteristics. For example, we could find one benevolent and calm character and at the same time find an opposing turbulent and malicious character. Therefore, by comparing the actions and characteristics of some of these characters, we can learn more about a specific character's personality. Through their contrast to Romeo, the characters Benvolio, Mercutio, Paris and Tybalt serve to highlight his uniqueness. First of all, Benvolio, Mercutio and Paris all have attitudes towards love which differ significantly to Romeo's attitude. Benvolio, in my opinion, doesn't really believe in love and does not take it as seriously as Romeo does. This is revealed when Romeo tells Benvolio about his unrequited love towards Rosaline and all Benvolio does is urge him to find some other woman to love, "Find a new infection in your eye, and the poison of the old infection will die" and "Be ruled by me, forget to think of her". However, Romeo is emotional and in love with love since he refuses to forget about Rosaline as shown in the line, "Farewell, thou canst not teach me how to forget". Moving on to Mercutio, he only thinks of women as sexual objects and makes fun of Romeo for being a lover, "You are a lover, borrow Cupid's wings, and soar with them above a
How does Act One prepare the audience of Macbeth for the remainder of the play?
How does Act One prepare the audience of Macbeth for the remainder of the play? William Shakespeare's Macbeth is a play rich in imagery with vivid words and phrases that conjure up emotionally charged mental pictures. The way in which William Shakespeare uses contrasting scenes, especially in Act One only makes these images more vibrant. The many soliloquies in Act One illustrate the ways in which Macbeth's mind is tormented, however, it is also these soliloquies that make the audience feel sympathetic toward Macbeth and therefore make the play more tragic when Macbeth's character flaws. This emotional hold towards the protagonist created in Act One, makes Macbeth one of William Shakespeare's most popular plays not only to modern audiences but also to the 17th century audience. The First Scene prepares the audience for the rest of the play as it shows the witches or the weird sisters in an evil light; this thought is amplified by the use of thunder and lightning. The language that the weird sisters use also readies the audience for the remainder of the play. The weird sisters speak in riddles and prophesise future events. For example they predict that they will meet again "When the hurly-burly's done, When the battle is lost, and won". For a 17th century audience, where people believed it possible to summon the devil with such riddles, the apprehension that the audience
Romeo and Juliet - "A pair of star cross'd lovers...." To what extent was the tragedy a result of bad luck or destiny? To what extent was it brought about by the people involved?
"A pair of star cross'd lovers...." To what extent was the tragedy a result of bad luck or destiny? To what extent was it brought about by the people involved? Romeo and Juliet's tragic death comes as a climax of a tale of passionate love. Raging in the background is an even more passionate family feud that thwarted the "star-crossed lovers". To what degree is sheer bad luck, or destiny, or the freedom of choice of the title characters themselves, to blame? The answer must begin with the examination of the play's three central themes. I will examine each in turn, and see to what extent it contributes to the young lovers' demise. I must however say at once that as the play progresses, Shakespeare succeeds to knit the key themes so subtly together that it is difficult to unravel them. That is to say luck is so closely bound to destiny, destiny to choice and choice to bad luck. Let us begin with chance or its synonym, coincidence. Chance is a wavering factor which is often overlooked. However, the prologue hints at it: "misadventur'd piteous overthrows". Chance creates many of the unfortunate circumstances throughout the play, while misfortune directs how events unfold. A major coincidence that shaped the entire narrative, is the chance meeting by Romeo and Benvolio with Capulet's servant who could not read. "My master is the great rich Capulet, and if you be not of the
