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Macbeth Historical Lens Analysis

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Historical Lens Impact on Macbeth The historical lens allows the reader to understand the time periods effect on the text through significant effects. In Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays this lens very effectively through the plot of the play. Macbeth took place in Scotland during the Middle Ages where political ambition had a big impact on society. The political warfare lead to the demise of many of the people during the time and led Macbeth to his own demise. There was also traditions and beliefs that many of the people had to conform to for the sake of their lives like witches and success lineages. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the historical lens highlights the time period woven into the play through the witchcraft, literature, and Celtic tradition …show more content…

In Scotland the majority belief was that witches can make prophecies and affect outcomes. Witchcraft was seen as an evil practice with the devil that was a threat to social stability. The Scottish took great measures to try to limit witchcraft. King Kenneth threatened to burn anyone planning on calling spirits. Witches could influence people's ideas and thoughts and Shakespeare portrayed this, “I’ll drain him dry as hay. Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his penthouse lid. He shall live a man forbid. Weary sev’nights, nine times nine, Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine. Though his bark cannot be lost, Yet it shall be tempest-tossed. Look what I have” (Shakespeare 1.3.18-26). In the scene a sailor's wife refused to share chestnuts and by doing so lead the witches to make him infertile. During the time people did not want to anger a witch because they could decide a person’s future. The people believed in the spiritual nature and there was no doubt for their the sake of their lives. People were very weary of witches and most people stood clear to not get attached to bad fortune. Literature from the time period like Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland was a major reason in the plot and character development. King Malcolm throne passing to his grandsons Duncan I and Macbeth originated from the Chronicles. Another aspect taken was the murderer …show more content…

If the assassination Could trammel up the consequences, and catch With his surcease success; that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgement here…” (Macbeth 1.7.1-8). Macbeth passes back and forth trying to justify his reason for killing Duncan. He wants to become the leader and King but he understand if everything does not work out perfectly he could be punished beyond measure. If there was no consequences he would assassinate Duncan with no worries but committing treason worries him. In Holinshed's works, the guilty conscience is also a message through King Kenneth after he butchered his nephew. King Kenneth conscience tormented him about how the eternal God will forever know and will punish him and he believes he deserves

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I. 36-39). The murder of King Duncan signifies the beginning of Macbeth’s descent into criminality, a plunge only quickened by the consequences of his behavior—the main form of adversity he faces. The affliction that Macbeth must confront grows when he becomes aware of three additions to the prophecy. One of these

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Readers of Macbeth can look at him from different perspectives; a troubled man who fell to the dark side, or an arrogant, power hungry man who got what he deserved at the end. Macbeth by William Shakespeare tells the story about a man who was so desperate for power that he was willing to do anything to keep it. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is considered a war hero and along with his then friend, Banquo, is called upon by three witches who tell him he will be the next king. His wife, Lady Macbeth, is a power hungry figure who convinces him to kill King Duncan, to fulfill his prophecies.

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Macbeth was an honorable and loyal soldier to King Duncan. As he stumbled upon the three witches and hearing their predictions. He began to question his future when King Duncan had given a higher rank to his son Malcolm. As if Malcolm was to become king Macbeth’s second prophecy of him becoming king wouldn’t come true or at least it would take a longer time for him to be king. His ambitions toward the crown grew and it slowly but surely began to corrupt his mind.

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Shakespeare’s renowned tragic play ‘Macbeth’ was written in the 1500s to entertain and please King James I of England. The story follows a once noble and valiant knight turned tyrannous called Macbeth in his journey as he navigates his way through the dangerous waters of ambition and greed that ultimately result in his death. Macbeth at the start of the play is a self-proclaimed ‘servant of the king’ but when he hears three witches’ prophecy that he is going to be king, his loyalties seem to flip. In his greed, he ends up murdering the current King of Scotland – King Duncan.

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In act one scene 7, Macbeth doubts if he should kill the king; however, his wife, Lady Macbeth, manipulates him into proceeding. It might be difficult for Macbeth, the renowned warrior, to hear his wife accusing him of cowardice. Therefore, under Lady Macbeth’s influence, as she questions his manhood, he commences the murder in order to prove to her that he is not a “coward.” This is important to note because his soliloquy shows his determination to proceed.

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Macbeth’s conscience tells him again to resist temptation to gain the crown and not kill Duncan because he is a man Macbeth should defend and protect. Even after this nudge towards moral correctness, Macbeth kills Duncan. He begins to feel intense guilt about his decision, and lives in fear of

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Macbeth is presented as a gallant nobleman in The Chronicles, similar to Shakespeare’s noble Macbeth, whom King Duncan sends to destroy the rebellion steered by the Thane of Cawdor. The role of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the death of Holinshed’s Mackdonwald is modified for Macbeth to be heroic. “Macbeth found the carcasse of Mackdonwald lying dead amongst the residue of the slain bodies, he caused the head to be cut off (Chronicles 264).” In contrast, Shakespeare’s Macbeth does not merely find the body of Thane of Cawdor, but intrepidly slays him during the battle to elevate Macbeth as a hero.

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Macbeth is the story of a Thane, military nobleman, that hears a prophecy from three witches that he will not only become the Thane of Cawdor, the highest-ranking Thane, but also the king of the land. His good friend and comrade in arms, Banquo, also receives a prophecy, that his descendants will be the kings for ages thereafter. Soon after this Macbeth commits regicide but only because his wife pressures him into it, after he has second thoughts about committing the heinous crime. As soon as the King’s Sons wind of the assassination of their father they felle because most would suspect them of the crime.

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Macbeth’s greed with power causes danger but allows him to persist Macbeth’s greed with his power gets the best of him; he puts himself and others in danger. Macbeth chooses to kill the king and take his place. Donalbain (son of Duncan) chooses to flee with his brother for their own safety. He tells his brother“there’s daggers in men’s smiles.”

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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.

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Macbeth is a tyrant during his rule, manipulating the minds of the people and using murders to clear out anyone that stood in his way, so that he can stay in power. Malcolm worries about the state of Scotland as he exclaims, “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke./ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds. I think withal…” (Shakespeare 4.3.49-51). Malcolm notices the true state of Scotland under the rule of Macbeth, as he has forcefully gained his

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A Guilty Conscience: How Guilt Drives the Powerful to Insanity Guilt is the cause of the destruction of many, particularly in Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth. As Macbeth and Lady Macbeth continue to murder for the sake of power, they embark on opposite journeys but their guilt ultimately drives them both to insanity. Macbeth goes from being driven mad with guilt, to his instability causing him to murder recklessly. His wife goes from expressing no compassion or guilt to her guilt overcoming her and driving her to madness.

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The witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and other characters seem to act one way, whether it be good or evil, but their intentions are usually impure and meant to harm others in order to benefit themselves. Macbeth’s guilt is caused by the foul play the witches involve themselves in. If not for their prophecy, Macbeth would have never known of his fate and would have gained the kingship without involving murder, leading to his guilty conscious. The use of Supernatural elements is added to the plot of the play in order to show readers what led to Macbeth’s downfall, and what contributed to his guilt. His guilt arose from the

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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.

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