Rationale This written task is linked to part 4 and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. In the play, Lady Macbeth is depicted as cold and unfeeling. By having her write to someone she trusts about someone she loves, a more human side of Lady Macbeth is shown. The task consists of one side of a letter-exchange between Lady Macbeth and another person.
In his play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare explores the various means by which determination can shape and influence a person’s life. Determination is especially present in the characters of Macduff, and Lady Macbeth, and most significantly in the titular protagonist Macbeth. Determination plays a positive role in Macduff's personal development. His story reveals the beneficial effects of determination in an individual's life. In contrast, Lady Macbeth's personal story illustrates the dangers of determination.
In another attempt to preserve his dominion, Macbeth slaughters Macduff’s entire family. Devising his plan in order to make an example of Macduff's abandonment he says, “The Castle of Macduff I will surprise... His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls.” (4.1) It is important to realize that Macbeth is further descending into madness by committing acts of irrational violence. Rather than relying on his subjects’ loyalty, Macbeth feels as if he must terrify them into subjugation.
Despite committing a number of abhorrent crimes, Macbeth’s morality is definitively ambiguous, or “grey,” “because he is so acutely aware of the horror of his crimes” (Charney). Even before his transgressions take place, Macbeth is aware of the “physiological and psychological” consequences the murder will have on him, “forsee[ing] the effects” of his wrongdoings with rightfully placed apprehension (Charney). This sorrowful character is not the one first introduced to the audience, as Macbeth is depicted as an exalted hero in Duncan’s army; however, though his visage morphs into one of a tyrant. During his metamorphosis into seemingly amoral ruler, Macbeth does not take pleasure in the carnage he inspires, contributing to the adversity faced through his remorse. Conversely, Macduff, who may be considered the protagonist by some, is not presented as wholly virtuous.
In the beginning of the scene, Macduff’s wife is having a conversation with Ross about Macduff’s flee from Scotland. After Ross leaves the scene, Macduff’s wife tells her son that his father is dead. The two go on about what they’ll do and how they’ll live since Macduff is gone (Shakespeare 4.2.1-61). She sees the escape of Macduff as a lack of love for the family and an act of a coward. As their conversation develops, she speaks of her husband in a nonchalant manner like he no longer means anything to her.
Those suspicious of Macbeth saw through the web of chaos and deceit. Macduff, out of vengeance for his family, slaughtered by Macbeth’s orders, slayed the betrayer [Macbeth] and restored order, by bringing back the rightful king,
To compare and contrast the roles of Lady Macbeth in the play, giving close consideration to their relationship their husbands. In the play ‘Macbeth’ we notice that the roles of Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff are very different. The contrast between these two ladies, is especially noted by each woman’s loyalties and manner of death. These two women, as similar as they were, also had dissimilarities that are far more striking. Although Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth each had the ability to influence their family, they used this influence in entirely different ways.
When Macduff is aware of what Macbeth did, Macduff goes and finds Macbeth and a battle between them commences. Macduff once again proves to be the true hero of
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare set in Scotland about a murderous and vehement king who spirals on a path of destruction as he suffers from the consequences of determining his own fate. The predominant theme portrayed throughout the play is honor vs. loyalty. This is represented through the identification, actions, and quotes of numerous characters. To introduce the theme of honor vs. disloyalty, the characters Banquo and Macbeth exemplify traits that are equivalent with the moral of the story.
Without these components included by William Shakespeare, the audience would not have gained such an understanding about how strange the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth truly was. Considering the time period, almost all of the components of their relationship was set apart from other relationships around them. For example, when Macduff flees the country his wife, Lady Macduff, had no idea where he was at (Act four, Scene two). This comparison truly displays the importance of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s
Like all of Shakespeare’s other plays, “Macbeth’s” protagonist Macbeth is incredibly successful but suffers from one fatal flaw, his great ambition. His ambition will be the cause of his great success but ultimately also of his downfall. The man’s ambition drives him to seize every opportunity to promote his own agenda. His ambition hurts him the most when he decides to kill King Duncan and Macduff.
Though he has the right to be emotional regarding the murder of his king and family, Macduff is able to set them aside. Macduff is the character that the audience needs so they can have hope in the dismal situation. The layers of Macduff’s characteristics are unfolded to the audience throughout the play. It is a carefully orchestrated peeling away so that what emerges by the end of the play is a hero that you want to cheer for. The darkness of the play has a shining light in the character of Macduff.
Macbeth’s impatience for power leads to drastic actions. He murders the king in the belief that “this blow might be the be-all and end-all” (1.7.5). This assassination could never “trammel up the consequence” (1.7.2-3), as Macbeth believes, but only leads to more trouble. Although Macbeth seizes the throne, Macbeth had to betray his loyalty to the king whose “virtues will plead like angels” (1.7.18-19), and his morality has paid the price. Macbeth has now lost all sense of what honor is by using such dishonest ways to become king.
A relationship is where two people care about each other and put their significant other before themselves. A good relationship consists of a lot of hard work, the couple should be loyal, forgive each other, and communicate. Each relationships change over time, sometimes get better and sometimes become worse. A relationship takes a lot of effort and time. One of the most dramatic marriages ever read about was Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s.
Often, it is the responsibility of oneself to determine the outcome of your life, however there will always be influential people who either directly or indirectly affect the decisions made. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a play believed to be written in 1605, focusing on the downwards spiral of Macbeth after he murders King Duncan in order to become King of Scotland, consequently developing feelings of guilt and paranoia. Through the establishment of atmosphere, comments on the actions of major characters, and foreshadowing events, Shakespeare develops the minor characters which include the Three Witches, Macduff, and the Murderers, to support and further prompt the development of the major characters, as well as to communicate essential moral truths and trite platitudes.
