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In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to set up foils that highlight different characteristics of Macbeth: Duncan reveals the depth of Macbeth’s depravity, while Banquo emphasizes Macbeth’s ambition, and Lady Macbeth accentuates Macbeth’s insecurities; exemplifying how a fatal flaw leads to a downfall. Duncan blindly trusts his subjects by providing them with numerous words of praise and rewards. After the former Thane of Cawdor is executed, the king proclaims,..., depicting his exceedingly naive and credulous features. Duncan's righteous personality contrasts with Macbeth’s cautious and cunning nature, and the virtuous ruler meets his end as his trust for Macbeth obscures Macbeth’s murderous motives. Similar to Duncan, Banquo is another
Dakotah Guzman Mr. John Blaszczak English IV: British Literature 1st Period December 2, 2014 Macbeth Motif: Final Foils as a motif in The Tragedy of Macbeth A foil, according to our textbook, is defined as “a minor character whose attitudes, beliefs, and behavior differ significantly from those of a main character.” (Glencoe Literature British Literature 319). The motive of a foil in a book is to bring attention to the imperfections of a main character and present an idea of the main character had they not had any of these flaws. Throughout William Shakespeare’s well-known tragic play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, the main character Macbeth was presented with many contrasting minor characters that serve the play as his foils.
While Macbeth is contemplating whether or not to kill Duncan, he thinks about the consequence that will come afterward by stating: “his [Duncan’s] virtues / Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against / The deep damnation of his taking-off” (1.7.18-20). This simile compares the the begging of his goodness to the angels’ compelling speech against all the wrongs that have been done to him. Even though Macbeth eventually is going to kill Duncan, he admits that Duncan is a virtuous king. In his head, he is rationalizing Duncan’s death by stating that Duncan’s good deeds will compensate bloody way of dying. Because Macbeth is still sane, he realizes that killing is not justifiable.
Killing Duncan was his downfall that also brought down Scotland and because of this evil act, Macbeth was punished over and over through the play until his downfall cost him his life. His figurative nobility is brought up when Macbeth becomes king. Once a noble general now and noble king keeping secrets. The audience sees his figurative nobility in (II.V.40). “He is already named , and gone to
Macbeth shows that he is willing to kill King Duncan because he is interested in the witches prophecy, after they tell him that he will become ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and then the King.
Macbeth’s true character reveals his natural cruelty when Lady Macbeth persuades him to kill Duncan for
Macbeth was introduced as a hero and everyone thought very highly of him. King Duncan trusted and was comfortable around Macbeth. He considered him as his friend and someone he could confide in. Macbeth’s love for the King and for Scotland makes him not seem wholly evil. It was Lady Macbeth who influenced Macbeth into killing King Duncan.
