Essays on Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written in the period of 1601-1608, is a powerful play which compels us to sympathise with a cold-blooded murderer. There are many, varying, characters, all of which have somehow made a mark on English literature today. The way in which Shakespeare portrays his characters is in a style that pleased Queen Elizabeth…

How would Shakespeare’s audience have reacted to the ‘supernatural scenes’ in Macbeth and how would this compare to your reaction? ‘The Scottish play’, ‘THAT play’ or ‘The King’s play’. Even today, when we distance ourselves from the contemporaries of Shakespeare’s time, by claiming that we are aren’t superstitious and believe in free will, actors still…

The impact of internal forces that are influenced by external forces results in Macbeth’s tragic downfall. Macbeth represents a true tragic hero who’s downfall is caused by his internal tragic flaw of ambition. Our initial impression of Macbeth is a brave and capable warrior. However, The external forces that influence Macbeth internally are the Witches…

There is much debate about whether Macbeth is a hero or if he is purely villainous. Shakespeare has created many villains and heroes throughout his plays. Macbeth is a character unlike any of these. Macbeth is neither purely villainous nor heroic though he does show characteristics of both. A villain is defined as a wicked…

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most dramatic tragedies, making the most tensed work that he’s ever done. The play was written during the reign of King James 1st, at a time where England was not an industrial, scientific and urban society as it is now, therefore the themes of the book have striking relevance to…

Yes, I agree with the statement “Macbeth’s murder of Duncan has had horrible consequences for both Macbeth himself and Scotland.” Even before Duncan’s murder Macbeth understood there would be grave consequences for his actions. He knew that murdering Duncan would start an unstoppable cycle of bloodshed. “It will have blood they say: blood will have…

Is there enough evidence in the play to suggest that Lady Macbeth is a fiend- like Queen or do you retain a degree of sympathy for her? I don’t think there is a simple answer to this question. I believe that Lady Macbeth did have some human emotions; however she had a dark side. Personally,…

‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’, a phrase that has become synonym with Macbeth. It is also the introduction to one of the most important themes of this tragedy: appearance and reality. Shakespeare uses various characters and situations to emphasize this confusion between the real and the surreal, the authentic and the fake, the…

Examine the dramatic impact and influence of the supernatural in ‘Macbeth’ Dramatic impact is the effect on the audience. ‘Macbeth’ is a play designed to be performed for and to involve the audience. Dramatic influence is the way supernatural has effect upon the characters in the play. In Shakespeare’s time, most people believed in witches…

Although the character is not developed in any great detail, Macduff performs a number of important dramatic functions. His reaction to discovering that Duncan has been murdered underlines the gravity of Macbeth’s crime. Macduff is a shrewd character, and the first to suspect Macbeth. After Macduff departs for England, he becomes a symbol of hope…