Both ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare and ‘I’m the King of the Castle’ by Susan Hill incorporate various techniques to evoke feelings of horror and tension.
Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and Hill’s ‘I’m the King of the Castle’ both employ horror and tension to depict the downfall of characters. In ‘Macbeth’, the protagonist’s pursuit of ambition is revealed through his acts of regicide and betrayal. Meanwhile, ‘I’m the King of the Castle’ focuses on two ten-year-old boys, Kingshaw and Hooper, who have contrasting personalities. The novel’s tragic conclusion revolves around Kingshaw’s suicide, a result of the bullying he endures. Both authors utilize various writing techniques to instill a sense of horror and build up tension in their respective works.
In the first chapter, Hill depicts Waring as a horrifying place. Hill uses the words ‘entirely graceless, rather tall and badly angled, built of dark red brick’ to emphasize the horror. By describing the house as ‘graceless,’ it effectively conveys a sense of fear and purposeful frightfulness. This sets the stage for an atmosphere of unease and a foreboding sense of terror, creating anticipation for what will befall Kingshaw. The house is further characterized as having a ‘close and still’ summer air. The word ‘still’ adds to the tension, evoking a feeling of stillness and silence that lends credibility to the terrifying buildup in the novel. The house’s isolation is also emphasized since it is located ‘some distance from any other house.’ This isolation not only heightens the horror and isolation of the house itself but also symbolizes Kingshaw’s own isolation. Additionally, the Red Room serves as an effective tool for building horror. Described as ‘very dark,’ it becomes a significant image in instilling fear in the reader. Its inclusion may serve solely to frighten, drawing on the popularity of ghost stories during that time period, making it an ironic method of generating horror within the novel.
Shakespeare utilizes setting to establish a sense of tension and horror in the play. The introduction of Dunsinane Castle contributes to this, as Duncan remarks, “this castle hath a pleasant seat.” This creates dramatic irony, as the audience knows that he and Lady Macbeth plan to kill him. The phrase “pleasant seat” demonstrates his unawareness, which adds to the horrifying element as he genuinely believes the castle has a pleasant atmosphere. Furthermore, the weather plays a role in creating unease throughout the play. In Act 1 Scene 1, the witches declare, “Fair is foul and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air.” This use of pathetic fallacy instills a sense of unease not only for that particular scene but also for the entirety of the play. The weather consistently reflects the mood of scenes involving the supernatural witches, without any spoken words. For example, in Act 1 Scene 3, thunder accompanies the witches’ prophecy of Macbeth’s ascent to kingship, symbolizing the evil nature of the scene. Additionally, the introduction of the witches on the heath adds to the sense of horror and dramatic tension. The term “desolate place” used to describe their location evokes a feeling of isolation and serves as a backdrop for evil occurrences.The gathering of the sinister witches signifies the ominous ambiance and serves as a representation of the ghastly tone portrayed in the scene.
Shakespeare also utilizes the introduction of his characters to heighten the horror and tension, particularly through their portrayal and subsequent downfall. This is evident in the case of Macbeth, the main character, who is initially depicted as brave and noble. The captain praises him as “brave Macbeth,” while Banquo describes him as being as powerful as cannons. The use of the word “brave” conveys that Macbeth is a man of honor. However, Shakespeare disrupts the play with the prophecies of the witches, revealing Macbeth’s ambitious nature. This ambition is further fueled when the prophecy of becoming thane of Cawdor comes true. Although Macbeth possesses bravery and power, he lacks virtue. He is easily swayed into committing murder in his pursuit of the throne, and once he becomes king, he engages in further monstrous acts with increasing ease. However, due to his growing brutality, he ultimately becomes despised as a tyrant and loses his grip on power. The contrast between being referred to as “brave Macbeth” and “the tyrant, Macbeth” highlights his drastic fall from grace and serves as a key component in creating a sense of horror and tension. Similarly, Macbeth’s wife is portrayed as an ambitious figure who craves power and status.In the beginning of the play, she appears to be the dominant and more merciless person between the two, as she pushes her husband to murder Duncan and take the throne. This is evident in her statement, ‘Thou must do’ if thou have it’.
The use of the word ‘must’ serves as the compelling force that convinces Macbeth that killing Duncan is justified. In contrast, Lady Macbeth’s ambition overpowers her maternal instincts, evident when she states, “And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.” This statement reveals her willingness to go to extreme lengths, such as killing her own child, rather than break a promise like Macbeth has done. The audience is horrified by this display of pure evil, as it challenges the typical maternal instinct that is usually strong in women. Lady Macbeth’s declaration that she would kill her own child if she had broken such a promise instills fear in the audience.
Hill’s introduction of the characters in her novel is as effective as Shakespeare’s in creating a sense of horror. Hooper is one character she introduces dramatically, adding to the reader’s unease and tension. When Kingshaw arrives, Hooper’s evil side is revealed. Hooper wastes no time in expressing his dislike for Kingshaw, saying “I didn’t want you to come here.” This must have terrified Kingshaw. Hooper’s lack of empathy prevents him from understanding the consequences of his words, which deeply hurt others. Kingshaw’s fear is evident as he “stuffed the message fearfully into his pocket,” increasing the reader’s anticipation of something bad happening to him. Despite this, unlike Hooper, Kingshaw does have empathy. He chooses to stay with Hooper even when Hooper falls ill, showing that he is not vindictive.
The intense bullying experienced by Kingshaw raises concerns as to why he doesn’t simply leave. This lack of action on his part implies that the bullying will persist, which frightens the reader. The quote, ‘Kingshaw wanted to hit him and hit him and then he was frightened at the way Hooper made him feel like this,’ effectively summarizes this fear. Kingshaw’s own fear when considering violence further reinforces the idea that his situation will not end well, creating apprehension for the reader.
Furthermore, the neglect of the adults in leaving the two children to their own devices adds a sense of horror, making one wonder if things could have turned out differently with more involvement. In the 1970s, parent-child relationships were less intimate than they are today, potentially explaining why Mrs. Kingshaw fails to notice her son’s unhappiness even when he expresses it directly. His statement, ‘I hate him, I told you,’ does not elicit a compassionate or sympathetic response from her. Instead, she dismisses Kingshaw’s feelings as being silly and childish, comparing them to Charles’ past fears which have seemingly been forgotten. However, it is clear that Kingshaw remains terrified of the circus, indicating Mrs. Kingshaw’s inability to perceive this fear.
Both texts explore tyrannical characters who are willing to go to any lengths to accomplish their goals. What is interesting is that while Macbeth appears to be deeply affected by his actions, Hooper shows no remorse and even seems to derive pleasure from them. This lack of empathy in a ten-year-old boy, who experiences a surge of triumph when he drives Kingshaw to suicide, creates a sense of horror for the reader or audience.
Both texts use imagery to create a sense of horror and tension. In Macbeth, darkness is a prominent image that represents the evil deeds committed throughout the play, such as the murders of Duncan and Banquo. Sleep and dreams are also utilized to convey the terrifying emotions associated with these wicked acts. Lady Macbeth, in particular, experiences a profound level of guilt and madness, even in her dreams. Her conscience affects her so deeply that she ultimately takes her own life. Prior to this, she sleepwalks while attempting to wash her hands, symbolizing her troubled state and revealing to the audience that her conscience has become evident.
The text highlights how both writers utilize the imagery of dreams to depict the troubled state of their characters. In “Jane Eyre,” the protagonist’s empathy and conscience are revealed when she enters a deep sleep, presenting a contrast to her usual emotional detachment. Similarly, in “I’m the King of the Castle,” Kingshaw’s distress is portrayed through a dream about a puppet show, showcasing his disturbed mental state. The use of dreams by both authors serves to unsettle the reader or audience, as witnessing such turmoil during a supposed time of rest and tranquility is indeed terrifying.
Hill utilizes language to create an atmosphere of terror, emphasizing the fact that the events inflicted upon Kingshaw are being perpetrated by children. This is evident in their use of childish language such as “Aren’t you scaredy, all by yourself in the dark.” Although this may seem inconsequential, it has a profound impact on Kingshaw’s mental state, as he feels himself descending into a nightmarish state. This demonstrates the terrifying nature of his circumstances. Similarly, Shakespeare employs Macbeth’s speech to highlight his declining sanity and eventual downfall. Initially, Macbeth’s speech reflects his arrogance and eloquence, fitting for a person of his stature.
The speaker addresses the kind gentlemen, acknowledging their efforts and expressing gratitude for their support. The speaker states that their efforts are remembered and appreciated daily. They suggest that they all move towards the King.
This portion of speech portrays the protagonist as a person of high moral character and unwavering loyalty to his king. Nevertheless, upon hearing the witches’ prophecy, he abruptly begins to doubt himself. This doubt is also evidenced by…
‘Why has it given me a sign of success, starting with a truth?
The individual’s inquiry reveals their distress over the ethical consequences associated with the prophecies from the witches. They are deeply disturbed by the possibility of harming Duncan, yet they conclude that they must embrace the outcome regardless. This question highlights their immediate turmoil caused by the prophecy, and things only worsen for them thereafter. While the language styles of the characters differ in their respective contexts, they both contribute to intensifying the horror and tension within the texts.
In both Shakespeare’s play Macbeth and Susan Hill’s novel I’m the King of the Castle, dramatic techniques are employed to portray the tragic transformation of a once esteemed individual into a despotic ruler, as well as the depiction of bullying among two young boys. Common elements found in both texts include malevolent characters and chilling storylines.
