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Thursday, March 7, 2019
English Macbeth coursework Essay
Is the weird wholly responsible for the tr festerdy that occurs or is Macbeth fat eachy f righted and responsible for his avouch monstrous crimes?It is my contention that all in all in all of the central roles turn prohibited some(prenominal)(prenominal) integral part to bring in in the tragedy that occurs. Each return near function in the atrocious crimes, and hence virtuoso individual give the gate non be held endly responsible for the bloodbath that occurs. digestiam Shakespeargon was innate(p) in April 1564 in St double-crosserford-upon-Avon. His father was named John Shakespe ar he was in the get goingning a glove maker before eventually matchmly a politician. His mother, Mary Arden, belonged to the ranks of high society, being from a wealthy family, she subsequently transmissible a ample deal of m anenessy and farmland. Shakespeargon was the third child born to the couple, just if was the start-off to survive. The Shakespe atomic number 18s went o n to hasten four children, Gilbert, Richard, Joan and Mary.Shakespe ars family was quite wealthy, and when Shakespe atomic number 18 was four, his father was established as High Bailiff of Stratford. Shakespe ars first check was Petty school and when he was seven, it is intendd that he went to the local grammar school until at the age of twelve, when he left- circulate(a) wing to up channel his father who had fulfil into financial infliction. At the age of eighteen, Shakespeare met Anne Hathaway who was the daughter of a local farmer. She was twenty-six. They marry in November 1582 and in May 1583 gave birth to their first child Susanna, she was followed twain years later by twins Hamnet and Judith. Shortly after this, Shakespeare left Stratford, leaving his family behind.Sometime between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare arrived in London and found a job in the theatre. He began to act and write a modification of plays and they were hugely best-selling(predicate), grammegh c ompositiony con lookred him to be intellectually insecure granted that he was non university educated. In 1956, sadly young Hamnet died. By the age of 33, Shakespeare was ma poof vast amounts of m championy and had been propelled to success, thus gaining country wide fame. He bought the second biggest house in Stratford, lots of land and a whileage in Londons finest theatre, The Globe.When pile 1 became king he displayed a huge interest in the theatre condition that he was patron of the arts. He established Shakespeares comp any to agitate their name to the poofs Men. In June 1613, Shakespeares play Henry V111 was ready on at The Globe. During the play, a bonk cannon shot out a burning ball of paper, which land on the thatched roof of the theatre. The whole building caught fire and deep down an instant it had burnt to the ground. After this, Shakespeare decided to retire and move back to Stratford. He was forty- baseball club and had written thirty-seven plays. He died on the 23rd of April 1616 at the age of fifty-two. He was buried two days later in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.Macbeth was an old Scottish fiction and correspond to the Holinsheds chronicles of England, Scotland and Wales, Macbeth became king of Scotland in 1040 after having defeated an inadequate, fragile and youthful leader. Shakespeares Duncan was much older and subscribe toed respect from Thanes his polish offs were much heinous in the dramatic interpretation. The historical Macbeth reigned as king for 17 years. James 1, formerly a ruler in Scotland, was the eighth desc land upant of the Banquo-Fleance account and because of this Shakespeare presented Banquo in a more honourable light than the historical Banquo actually was.James 1 was intrigued and terrified by glamourcraft. In 1597, he produced a book called Daemonolougie, which acted as a guide to have it away and defeat witches. King James believed that he had encountered witches and claimed iii witches had r aised a storm in order to drown him on his wedding trip. He believed that his encounter was material and three women were consequently murdered after they admitted sailing in a sieve to sink the ship. However, Shakespeare presented this encounter in spot one stage setting three. During this century, it is estimated that between 4,500 and 8,000 women were destroyed for supposedly practising witchcraft. The king even passed a law proclaiming stopping point to anyone who was thought to be meddling in the dark forces. Shakespeare employ the idea of witchcraft, kingship and moral order to develop the play, as these themes were greatly admire by a Jacobean earshot.The play is extremely dramatic in its depiction of the corruption of natural order and raw competition. It starts with the three queer witches meeting on an empty heath. King Duncan wins a great passage of armsing and Macbeth shapes a hero. Furthermore, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches. They predict that Macbeth i mpart be the Thane of Cawdor and later King. The adumbrative hags first prophecy comes true and Macbeth does wrench Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth writes to doll Macbeth telling her what the witches give tongue to. In an ambitious move the husband and wife fleck to kill King Duncan.When Duncan comes to stay at Macbeths castle, chick Macbeth persuades Macbeth to go ahead with the murder and grudgingly he does. Malcolm and Donaldblain, sons of Duncan, escape to England and Macbeth is crowned King. However, Macbeth does non trust Banquo and has him murdered, alone when Macbeth has a feast, Banquos ghost appears. Hence, Macbeth resolves to revisit the witches and he sees strange apparitions, mean man, Macduffs wife and children are murdered by order of Macbeth. chick Macbeth then becomes insane and dies. The castle is attacked, Macbeth is killed and Malcolm is proclaimed King.One lone(prenominal) character cannot be solely to tear for this tragedy, all of the central characters sho uld be apportioned some unholy.Macbeth is a brave and noble soldier who fought heroically for King Duncan. One would not suspect him of pre-mediated murder. T herefore, the witches essential(prenominal) have had the exponent to corrupt, manipulate and shape his mind.Macbeth moldiness certainly be apportioned some unredeemed as e genuinely man is in wangle of his own destiny. The witches never specifically told him to kill, they provided im proposalted a suggestion. Macbeth obviously had ambition, which was sparked from the beginning. The witches hardly helped to spark this ambition and then worked to keep it alight. He acts along with the help of maam Macbeth. She manipulates and supports his darkness achievements. Macbeth had the causality to reject the witchs suggestions and leave behind reputation to take its course, this is evident, as he was able to lead hundreds of soldiers in battle and give orders. He was not a weak and challenged man man. Macbeth was on the contrary selfish and business office hungry. He let his avariciousness fascinate him.Loves for his own ends, not for youHowever, one can reason that Macbeth was not al slipway in chasten. He is give tongue to to be in a ecstatic state and one whethers this has any intimacy to do with the elemental forces or his everywhere versed, manipulative wife. Even so, he whitethorn be possess but he is in control of himself as the dialogue suggests,Stay you flawed speakers tell me moreIn addition, his tone interpolates as he gains self-confidence and he becomes aggressive. This suggests that he is in control and can make up his own decisions.However, there are reflective moments when he reflects on his actions and decides against murder.If feel will have me king, why chance may crown me/without my shakeHowever, this way of thinking is soon non-existent in the second act. Macbeth would be viewed as a hero if he do his own judgement and resisted the enticeation. dame Macbeth is similarly marginally to blame. She is introduced when she reads Macbeths letter. She is pushed, pressurised, manipulated and calculated the pre-meditated murder. She is mesomorphic and dear to Macbeth and takes dependable advantage of this. However, we would not expect a woman to rein such major power, as this would have been un give carely given the period. Without her cajoling, Macbeth may never have gone by with the first murder. She took control and handled the murders as an unsexed entity. It seems that maam Macbeth may have been connected with the miraculous before, as she calls out to shabbiness spirits.unsex me herenoblewoman Macbeth could be considered a witch dispenseing to the standards of Shakespeares day. She subverts the order of the sexes and the usual family hierarchy by trying to carry more power than the head of the family, her husband. She does appear to have more power over him, as she challenges his manhood so he will feed the murder of Duncan.And be a coward in thine own esteemShe uses sexual means to control her puppet like husband and entrances him thus she is like a witch.By challenging her husbands manhood, she is making him mentally impotent up to at present in the same way pleading for herself to become an unsexed entity, on an equal power with her husband given his impotent and fragile state, if anything bird Macbeth is more aggressive in this strange role reversal. This is highlighted in the pursuance quotation,When you durst do it, then you were a manShe does not follow the representative role of the wife she transforms the social order and thus becomes the pinnacle of the family and her alinement with the dark forces becomes dubious, the fact that she works with the weird sisters to influence Macbeth suggests that she is at least indirectly allied with them. Though it can be said that, doll Macbeth retains her mortal form and temporal powers she has simply touched on the planted ambitions and voracity that were already present in him.Although brothel keeper Macbeth coserts her power and empowerment over her weak, ineffectual husband, the elemental forces as well as corrupt the impotent Macbeth. She similarly encourages Macbeth to become more confident and assertive and tempt him into using his ambition for his own gains. Without this guidance and the corrupt suggestions, Macbeth would probably have never acted on his impulses and desire for power. The witches cast spells and provide apparitions and thus drive his hunger for power and dominance.The withches intentionally reprimand him by making him believe that he is in control, they change their tone and act subservient towards him,speak, demand, well answerWe are also more prone to condemning them more as we learn the visionary content of their cauldron,pour in sows blood that hath eaten her nine farrowThese ingredients sound equally down(p) to Macbeth, distillery this is overshadowed by the vague, riddle promises that they make,for no(prenominal) of woman born shall harm MacbethThey continually meddle in his life and one could interrogate whether they had anything to do with the hallucinations.Most of the play is written in blank verse, which resembles the natural rhythm of spoken English. The phraseology flows in this form, certain syllables are stressed and there is a lack of end rhyme. However, this rhythm is disturbed when the weird witches are present in the burst.The address and verse is varied, with the witches and present. The verse is much choppier and sharper. Shakespeare also utilize riming couplets, which is specially applicable for use in the witch scenes, as pierce rhyming couplets enhance the devious and corrupt nature of the witches. The vocabulary is archaic and normal of Elizabeth style. The language devices Shakespeare used are abundant he uses figurative language, aural imagery, patterned sound, equivocation, biblical illusions, symbolism and personification. coiffure 1 background 1 opens with thunder and lightening. We establish that this scene could be evil as the weather suggests this. Hence Shakespeare has used pathetic fallacy to enhance atmosphere. It was believed that in superstitious times those fierce storms were omens of unrest in individual race and whole countries. The fact that the witches open the plays shows the theme of uncanny is integral to the play. Shakespeare used the weird witches to open the play to show that evil will taunt Macbeth and will influence what happens in the play.The unearthly creatures talk of the battle being, preoccupied and won.This equivocation shows the witches have the power of prediction and that they have also been anticipating the raise up for Macbeths soul.The witches actively seek to meet up with Macbeth this portrays their meddling side to the audience.there to meet MacbethThe adumbrative hags establish a link with the wizardly by calling their familiars. Their familiars were supposedly given to them from Satan to help with sorcery.I come GreymalkinThe witches riddled phrases denote the confusion that will occur. Their ambiguous language addresses that things arent always as they seem. seemly is foul and foul is delightfulThis line is an analogy for the deceptive facade of Lady Macbeth. The witches Exeunt by hovering by dint of the air and by doing this they are symbolically linked with the supernatural.From analysing the evince in this scene, one can assume that the blame is directed to the witches, as they are meddling in Macbeths af reasonablys and are being related to with evil. displace 1 scene 3 also opens with thunder. It shows the extreme nature of the prophetic hags. Their meeting place, the heath, is symbolic of the barren and empty nature of the witches. blamed heathThe fact the witches meet again reinforces the idea of sisterhood and coven,where hast thou been, sister?One witch has been a gruesomely killing swine. This is a ritual killing for evil purposes . Another witch relates how a navy mans wife denied her food, so decides to attack the sailor. It was superstition that if you denied a witch food then the witch would take steps to punish you.The playwright uses a strong metaphor here, which creates imagery,Aroint thee witch the rump-fed renyon criesThe witch turned herself into a rat and sailed in a sieve to corrupt the sailors ship. There is a symbolic suggestion in the word rat that they are cunning and manipulative. Furthermore, the fact she turns herself into a rat indicates her lower status compared to her familiar. Therefore, her familiar is a lot more powerful than she is, as it is a cat.The witches are very civil to each other, which makes us incertitude whether they actually are intrinsically evil,Th art kindMoreover, they speak in rhyming couplets this increases the notion of incantation and makes their riddles more complex. The first witch produces a military personnel beings thumb. This implies that she has used her magic for evil.Macbeth is announced with a symbolic drum. His afterlife is told within a drumroll. Death. Macbeths opening spoken language directly associate him with evil.So fair and foul a day I have not seenIt is in reference to an earlier quote that the unearthly creatures spoke. This links his destiny with the witches and evil. Macbeth speaks with an important, unsure and hesitant tone and the preternatural Sisters prophesise that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter. This is what sparks ambitions. Banquo seems jealous but says Macbeth,Seems rapt withalHe is in a trance and he may be possessed at this mettleshade, perhaps under the control of the supernatural. Banquo already recognises the witches to be supernatural and strange and is very vivid in his description of them.So withered, and so wild in their attire, That look not like th inhabitants o th earthIn addition, Banquo may also be suggesting that Macbeth is sordid and expectant.Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favours or your abominateEven in his rapt state, Macbeth is still coherent enough to demand to know more. Thus he is in control of himself enough to mesh the information and calculate his actions. His tone becomes more commanding and demanding, hence Macbeth is undefended of making his own decisions.Stay you imperfect speakers tell me moreMacbeth feels powerful after having been victorious in battle. Macbeth is sadly deluded that he can control the elemental forces, which have succeeded in uncovering his raw ambition.One Macbeth learns he has been made Thane of Cawdor, Banquo says,What can the devil speak trueThis suggests that evil is at work,One must recognise that the witches never suggested murdering Duncan and it is essential to balance the conclusion and make appropriate decisions. We learn of the uncanny Sisters connection with evil and of their make and meddling, tho they never tell Macbeth to do anything they merely suggest. It is clear that Macbeth is show his true colours by the end of the scene and is in complete control of his actions. One can reason that he is in rapt state, but after we are given this impression, there is also contrary evidence provided to suggest that he is in fact in control of his actions. The tone actively changes, commanding and directing.In strike 1 Scene 5, Macbeth has sent Lady Macbeth a letter and the first thing Macbeth writes about is the witches. Shakespeare is insinuating that the supernatural has a central role within the play.Macbeth writes,while I stood rapt in wonder of itWe once again question whether he was possessed and can be held responsible for his actions. Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth,my making love partner of greatnessThis suggests they have a good relationship and ordinarily work together in partnership. Macbeth is aware that he may not have enough ambition.That thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised theeMacbeth is leaving the decisive action up to Lady Macbeth and hence is giving her freedom of choice.Lay it to thy tryt and partLady Macbeth realises that Macbeth is,too full o th milk of human kindnessLady Macbeth feels responsible for what happens so is plotting and planning for him.Yet do I fear thy natureLady Macbeth reveals her thoughts about witchcraft and the supernatural by calling on evil spirits.come you spirits that flow on mortal thoughtsOne can assume that she has been embroiled in the supernatural before. She calls on the spirits to change her into a ruthless human being. To take away her soft feminine qualities so that she can countenance her ambitious husband who lacks the evil he will need.unsex me hereAfter critically examining the evidence in this scene, one can point the finger of blame towards Lady Macbeth who calls on evil spirits so she can assist her husband. She is already planning and plotting murder. One can now connect her with the supernatural and evil.In Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth starts to change his mind about the murder,hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been, so clear in his great officeIn contrast, Lady Macbeth shows optimum strength in this scene. She undermines Macbeth and challenges his manhood.And lie in a coward in thine own esteemLady Macbeth plots and plans the murder of Duncan. on the whole her actions are pre mediated, which implies that she is a cold livelinessless killer,When Duncan is asleep whereto the rather shall his days hard journey soundly invite him-his two chamberlains. Will I with wine and wassail so convince, that memory, the warder of the brain, shall be a fume, and the pass along of reason a limbeck just when in swinish sleep their swamp natures lie as in deathShe is so cunning and conniving that she has thought everything through.his spongy officers, who shall bear guiltWe are reminded of the earlier quotation,fair is foul and foul is fairIt seems to be unfolding like a prophecy.There should be equi librium in apportioning blame in this scene as Macbeth, though deciding against the murder, was convinced very readily to go through with it. If he really hadnt wanted to go through with the murder he would have put up a bit more resistance. One can reason that Lady Macbeth has a very strong influence over him and she knows how to use it to her advantage, especially in this scene as she challenges his manhood and has a carefully thought out plan. One could question whether she is inherently evil or whether Macbeth really had any other choice.In Act 2 Scene 1, Banquo is unable to sleep, as he is uncomfortable in the presence of evil thoughts.Merciful powers, make prisoner in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in reposeMacbeth denies his enfolding with the unearthly creatures. He is very careful to hide his guilt in murdering Duncan. This is the turning point for Macbeth he is adequate more and more empowered,I think not of themMacbeth believes he sees a stumper in take care of him. This could be a sign of his need to muster his courage, hence he intentionally visualises his evil swaying. This could also be the work of the supernatural. The word dagger reminds us of the unnatural predictions,That summens there to heaven or to hellThis soliloquy reveals Macbeths abnormal state of mind. It also reminds one of the unnatural witches who are products of hell. He believes he is becoming stronger, but juicelessally he is becoming weaker, as he is more and more disturbed as a result of the supernatural.One can use the evidence shown in this scene to appoint the blame to Macbeth as now he is denying any contact with the witches and lying to his own friends as the supernatural is taking a hold of him. One could question his sanity as he sees a dagger, or one could reason that this is the supernatural meddling and quizzical Macbeth.In Act 2 Scene 2, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are becoming more rickety minded as they are beginning to realise what they h ave make in order to get what they want. Lady Macbeth jumps at the sound of an owl. This suggests that she is becoming frail minded and is extremely anxious.Hark PeaceOther signs of the checkmate frail mindness are that Lady Macbeth pleads with her husband not to go insane, which is ironic as this happens to her, and that Macbeth cant wash the blood from his hands.No, this my hand will rather the multitudnous seas incarnadine, making the green one redHe cant literally wash the blood from his hands and also metaphorically he cant wash away the guilt of what he has done from his blackened soul.For all Lady Macbeths evil words she still has some sort of conscience, as she cant locate the murder herself. She is not as evil as she would like and by chance the evil spirits didnt remove all of her soft lovely side.Macbeth is remorseful, but Lady Macbeth has achieved her desires. She is adamant that the dead cant assume revenge. If anything she has been influenced and manipulated by the supernatural.the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures. Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devilIn this scene we see that Macbeth is repentting his devious actions, stock-still this passes very quickly. Lady Macbeth shows very little regret or remorse. One can reason that she couldnt commit the murder herself so she cant be all evil. Both are becoming weakened and anxious. Macbeth cant return the daggers and is initially discredited of himself.In Act 3 Scene 1, Macbeth has become more powerful. He has not unless converged with the witches, so we can assume that they havent complete power over him in this scene. Lady Macbeth and his own greed now directly influence everything he does. Macbeth has Banquo murdered, but it is his own craze that drove him to do it. He is now more in control of his destiny.I will put that business in your bosoms whose execution takes your opposition offHe is level headed and cunningly initiates the manslayers to plant themselves away from the palace.I will advise you where to plant yourselves.something from the palaceMacbeth gives the murderers reasons to kill Banquo, claiming that Banquo had held themunder consequenceThis portrays his intelligence, but also emphasises his evil side.Macbeth is very clear in what he must do to secure the thrown without challenge.We have scorched the ophidian but have not scorned itThis implies that there are more murders to come. Macbeth is not troubled by the murders he has committed. He is more upset(a) that Fleance escaped. From this we can establish that he has little or no conscience. horse around of scorpions of my mind dear wife thou knowst that Banquo and his Fleance livesOne must recognise that neither the supernatural nor Lady Macbeth had anything to do with the murders of Banquo or Fleance, yet Macbeth now uses a style not unlike the style Lady Macbeth had used on him. One could say that her influence has not left him unmarked and she still has some sort of co ntrol over him, though it is to the highest degreely his own greed that is spurring him on to commit these heinous acts.In Act 3 Scene 4, Macbeth is becoming increasingly barbarous in his manner and shows no remorse in his friends death.Tis better thee without than he withinHe is referring to the blood on the murderers face.Macbeth is upset that Fleance has escaped because it jeopardises his plans and he realises that he can still feel fear.But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined.Shakespeare uses alliteration in this scene for dramatic effect, it emphasises that Macbeth is trapped, desperate and afraid. The use of the c consonant is specially effective since c is a hard consonant. The sharp sound evoked by this letter emphasises Macbeths fear. He also uses rule of three for literary effect moreover, there is a great association with the sum three and magic. The dramatist is once drawing us back into the supernatural and highlighting the fundamental importance of the role of the prophetic hags.There the giving serpent lies, the worm thats fledThis is an evocative metaphor used to observe Fleance. By calling him a serpent, Shakespeare is inferring that Macbeth sees him as devious, sneaky and sly.Macbeth sees an apparition of the deceased Banquo. We must question whether this is guilt or the supernatural meddling again.Which of you have done this?This is what we call an asside or soliloquy. A private moment where the character shares his thoughts with the audience. Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth as a woman. It is ironic that Lady Macbeth feels so superior at this time, because shortly she becomes insane yet here she is perfectly sane.Macbeth reveals his evil intentions by explaining,we are yet but young in deedAt the end of this scene Macbeth concludes that he will visit the Weird sisters (witches). His reliance on the supernatural is necessary to stifle his fear. One must recognise that he goes to the supernatural and not the other way about. Therefore, we blame Macbeth for going to the prophetic hags.Act 3 Scene 5 includes Hectate who is the supreme witch. This scene involves her scolding the witches for not involving her. This scene incriminates the witches which makes them responsible.How did you dare to trade and calling with Macbeth in riddles and affairs of deathHectate also apportions some of the responsibility to Macbeth and believes the witches are wasting their time.Loves for his own ends, not for youThe witches know Macbeth is coming to them and they will,draw him on to his confusionthus adding to the supernaturals already existing evil.The cellular inclusion of this scene means that the metaphorical finger is pointed at the Weird Sisters. However, most editors do not consider this scene to be written by Shakespeare. Therefore, this scene should not be included when considering the evidence. If it were, it would suggest that the elemental forces were to blame the whole way through the play.In Act 4 Scene 1, the witches are involved in a ritual, making a miscellany for Macbeth to drink. They will be instruments of his doom. There is similar assonance present, to emphasise the riddled and confused nature of their speech and hence to magnify the idea that these are unnatural creatures.chaudron.cauldronThe way they chant together reveals their sisterhood. The prophecies they reveal are that Macbeth must be cautious of Macduff (thane of fife Nemises/avenger to Macbeth not born of a women) he will only be defeated when Birnham Wood moves to Dunsinane and that no man born from a mothers womb can ever harm Macbeth. These predictions though extremely ambiguous, are riddled prophecies of Macbeths future. They only tell half-truths but they are also double meanings. Macbeth longs to feel secure.Double double, toil and troubleThis enhances the fact that the meanings are going to be double edged. The incantation reveals the excitement that lies ahead.Macbeths tone is demanding and he thinks he has the power to control the witches when he most certainly doesnt.I conjure you, by that which you professThe witches recognise this and use it to their advantage by making Macbeth feel that he is in control by saying,speak, demand, well answerThey are now purposely taunting him and acting in a subservient way and their tone has changed. They captivate him into a false sense of security.say if thoudst rather hear it from our moths or from our mastersMacbeth has become a puppet for the instruments of darkness. He has become conceited and believes he is untouchable. The prophetic hags have influenced and shaped him by implanting thoughts of blaze into his head and extracting his ambition. He misinterprets the prophecies and still he isnt satisfied.Yet my heart throbs to know one thingWe condemn the witches more so because of the ingredients they put in their cauldron are foul, grotesque and inappropriate in the extreme,digit of birth strangled babeYet Macbeth decides to murder all related to Ma cduff. The killing of these innocents is perhaps his most evil act. It cant be condoned, as they have nothing to do with the situation. Macbeth says,From this moment, the very firstlings of my heart shall be, the firstlings of my handFor this malevolent deed we blame him in this scene, as the witches never said anything about killing Macduffs family. This is completely of his own accord.In Act 4 Scene 3, Malcolm (son of Duncan and prince of Cumberland) tests Macduff and when it is clear that they are both loyal and good, they plan whats to be done.Macbeth has been energized by the witches and goes on a killing spree, murdering Lady Macduff and her son.He has killed me motherOnce Malcolm and Macduff learn of the slaughter of Macduffs family they are clear that Macbeth must be stopped immediately. They invite assistance from,the powers of above,Or the heavens to overthrow the tyrant. This suggests that the supernatural world can be fair as well as foul. This reminds us of the former e quivocation, which is the central coda of the play.Macbeth is crazed by murder. His actions are now gratuitous, as he is hungry for murder. He was once subservient to the supernatural and now he is a transformed lunatic. He was once empowered by them and now is preoccupy and insane. After analysing the evidence from this scene it is clear that Macbeth should be blamed and one must also recognise that there is evidence to show that the supernatural is not all bad.In Act 5 Scene 1, Lady Macbeth becomes completely crazed. Firstly she sleepwalks. Lady Macbeth hallucinates that she has blood on her hands, has sin on her soul.Out dumped spot, out I say. Hell is gloomywill these hands neer be clean?This juxtaposes what she has said previously.A little water should cleanse me of these deedsIt is clear that her conscience troubles her and one must recognise that she is not wholly evil.In Act 5 Scene 3, Macbeth is still on a mission for power and will not go down without a fight.Ill fight until from my bones my flesh be hacked. Give me my armourThis image is gruesome and unwholesome and it reminds us of the witches and their evil deeds. His choice of language leads us to believe that his encounters with the weird witches had some sick satanic effect on him.His foiling is apparent and he is cruel towards the servant, but this is understandable as he is faced with the risk of battle. He also invites some sympathy when he admits,my way of life has fallen into the searYet he musters some confidence at the end and one could recognise that he brought this all on himself.In Act 5 Scene 5, we see the death of Lady Macbeth. She commits suicide, as her evil deeds were too hard to live with. One can recognise that she is not all evil, but merely weak and that she could not live with what she had done. Macbeth seems too far-gone in his evil ways to feel real fear.At the end of scene five Macbeth begins to question the moral fibre of the witches.I pull in resolution and begin t o doubt th equivocation of the fieldEven on the indorse he ponders over how he could be killed when the witches promise differently.Whats he that was not born of a womanHe still stupidly believes in what he was told. He has been duped as Macduff was, from his mothers womb untimely rippedMacbeth still shouts orders and damns others, yet ironically, it is he that is damned.After critically studying the evidence of that scene we blame Macbeth, as he is evil right to the very end and still obsessed with the supernatural and what the witches have told him.After stringent critical analysis it is my view that responsibility is swayed in each scene, yet on the whole each party are equally to blame for the bloodshed. There is sufficient evidence to imply that each party had a vital function in the outcome. Macbeth was not wholly responsible for the outcomes of the play, yet he is partly to blame for murdering for his own gains. It is obvious that sometimes he is said to be in a rapt state and one could question whether he had been possessed by the Weird witches. However, even in his rapt state he still seems to be in control of himself. Macbeth never actually calls the three women witches, only weird sisters or prophetic hags thus one must question whether they actually have any power or only the power of suggestion. They never actually instruct Macbeth to murder anyone, yet they alongside Lady Macbeth work to water the root of ambition.Fate may have intended Macbeth to seize the throne the witches may just have been instruments to support this notion and provide Macbeth with guidance. The prophetic hags tempt Macbeth into using his ambition for his own gains and they have knowledge that Lady Macbeth is a power hungry woman who will aid Macbeth. One must assume that they too are evil as they cast spells, provide apparitions and implant notions of power and grandeur. Furthermore, the spells they cast are extreme and the ingredients are exceedingly inappropriate, th is further denounces the witches.finger of birth strangle babeIn Jacobean times spells were thought to be powerful concoctions brewed for evil purposes. The witches encourage Macbeth to become more confident and assertive and Macbeth is linked with them from the start. He is linked through his phrasing and they talk of him before they are even introduced hence one could say that it is their primary intent to corrupt Macbeth.There to meet with MacbethMacbeth allows himself be corrupted and is easily lead. His ambition was already there the witches simply helped it grow. They cannot be held completely accountable as they only fuel and drive his ambition.Lady Macbeth must also be partly blamed for the outcome. She pushed, pressurised and coldly plan the murder of Duncan. She took control and handled the murders as unsexed entity. If not for her, Macbeth may never have murdered Duncan and if he had never murdered Duncan then he would never have got a taste for power or greed. It was on ly when he first murdered that his hunger escalated and he became driven by greed and ambition. Though one may assume that she is not all evil, as she could not live with herself for the crimes she had committed and became insane.Some critics insist that Macbeth was tricked, cajoled, tempted and manoeuver by the supernatural forces and hence he is not to blame. However, it is my interpretation that the Weird Sisters did tempt, taunt and tease him. They sparked his ambition, but that ambition already lay within Macbeth the witches simply brought in to the surface. Had the unearthly creatures not have done this one could argue Macbeth would never have thought of killing Duncan. Yet this is only a presumption.One must clearly recognise that witches under any circumstances told Macbeth to murder. Had Lady Macbeth not tackled and challenged Macbeths manhood, one could argue Macbeth may never have murdered Duncan or become embroiled in future murders. Yet it is clear that though in the e arly stages Lady Macbeth and the supernatural influenced Macbeth, he became a murdering lunatic all of his own accord and was in control of what he was doing. He chose his destiny and killed innocents without any influence from anyone except the influence of his own greed and desire. Macbeth is insatiable, ruthless and domineering. Yet none of the guilty parties are blameless. All three caused the tragedy and only with all three present could the tragedy have been caused.All three parties are portrayed with blame, the tragedy is more satisfying. A seventeenth century audience would have believed, Macbeth was not fully responsible, because witches were prevalent within their society yet a modern day audience would blame Macbeth fully, as they would behold that he had no excuse. She believes that it is easier to surface some pity for Macbeth when he is not the only one to blame but part of a trilateral of guilt.In my opinion, it is easier to muster sympathy for a person who is not alone to blame for their actions in the case of Macbeth, the tragedy is more successful if the popular seventeenth century mentality is adopted, and thereby the witches and Lady Macbeth are made partly to blame for his downfall.
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