MACBETH .
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The play MacBeth, by William Shakespeare, was written in 1606 for the social context at the time. It can be said that this is the perfect example of where the viewer has to be aware of the social context in which it was written so that it may be fully understood. Although there may be an easily accessed overall story line, aspects such as social order, kingship, the order of being, the supernatural and the language used are no longer prominent in today's society and can both block a viewer from making meaning of the play, and completely change the way in which it is interpreted.
In Elizabethan times, witches were a reality. The king of Scotland, James 1st, was a firm believer in witchery and this placed a large influence on the audience that Shakespeare was to write MacBeth for. People of the time believed that witches had certain powers that included creating storms, having demon 'followers,' the ability to transform into animals and the prediction of the future. Witches were associated with disorder in nature, which meant the disruption of the right of a king. Because of this, they were believed to be palpably evil. In a patriarchal society, the 'weird sisters' defied all male power and thus were outcast and encumbered with everything society despised and feared. There is evidence of this ostracism throughout MacBeth. For example, the introduction of the witches in the very first scene is in a storm, immediately representing the chaos that they create by rebelling. Further on throughout the play, the witches hint to MacBeth that he may be future king of England, simply by hailing him by this title. .
Although it is in great debate as to whether or not they are to blame for the corruption of MacBeth, Shakespeare's society would have had no doubt in holding them responsible. However, today witches are much of a myth and as a result, modern viewers would question just how evil these witches are.
Macbeth enters, attired as king. He is followed by Lady Macbeth, now his queen, and the court. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ask Banquo to attend the feast they will host that night. ... The witches also declare that Macbeth will be king one day. ... Macbeth fixates on the details of the prophecy. ...
Macbeth Macbeth's downfall was generated by a combination of factors. These include Macbeth's greed, ambition, over confidence and Lady Macbeth's suspicious behavior. ... This track of thought leads Macbeth to kill Banquo. ... Damned fact how it did greave Macbeth! ... This is proof that lady Macbeth's undisciplined tongue aroused suspicion and contributed to Macbeth's downfall. ...
Macbeth is tragic play written by William Shakespeare in early 1606. ... Afterwards as Macbeth informs his wife about the three predictions he has learnt, she expresses herself more ambitious than Macbeth. ... When Lady Macbeth has no choice then she uses her tactics to stop Macbeth wimping out of Duncan's murder. ... As the witches warn Macbeth to be aware of Macduff. ... He is also weak before Lady Macbeth. ...
Throughout the play, Macbeth becomes more impaintent, secretive, and paranoid. ... Macbeth is not living in reality because when an equivocation is placed in front of him, "All hail, Macbeth! ... However, in the end his arrogance will cost Macbeth his life. Throughout the meetings between the witches and Macbeth, no lies were told. ... All the venom and evil in the play are always located in Macbeth's mind. ...
In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare the protagonist Macbeth mindset changes throughout the play with certain events that influence his mentality. Macbeth undergoes a transformation, which changes his belief and opinions about his King. ... This perspective is altered once Macbeth interacts with the three witches. ... Macbeth after committing the murder of Duncan feels guilt from his crime. ... This is the transformed Macbeth who has nothing left to lose but his life. ...
In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Macbeth is no pawn of fate. ... The prophecy of Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor had already come true, enhancing Macbeth's aspirations of becoming king. ... But, Macbeth was never destined to kill anyone. ... The three Weird sisters played a part within Macbeth's destiny, for they were the ones who foretold Macbeth's future. ... Macbeth knew what he was doing. ...
By offering to Macbeth the idea of power, the witches push Macbeth to the next level of greed and evil that did not exist prior to the encounter. ... This apparition confuses and frightens Macbeth. ... The dagger symbolizes the point of no return for Macbeth. ... Macbeth fears Banquo due to his prophecy to father kings, so Macbeth proceeds to plot the murder of his once friend, which spurs yet another brush with the supernatural. ... The use of supernatural in Macbeth caused Macbeth to become a darker and more evil person with each paranormal encounter. ...
"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter." ... Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." ... The apparition also ceases Macbeth's ability to think things through. ... This sure did kick the last leg out from under Macbeth's not so sturdy table. Macbeth's death shows that the witches were some bad dudes. ...
