How Does Shakespeare Use Contrast In Macbeth

Macbeth is considered the most evil character in Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth”, having nefarious traits of over-ambition and selfishness. Following the events of Act 1 Scene 3, the three witch sisters foresee Macbeth’s prophecies; he will become the Thane of Cawdor, and eventually become King of Scotland. Although he finds such statements to be nonsensical, he is then proven wrong as he finds out King Duncan bestows him as Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth states, “Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth?

Macbeth starts out being an excellent warrior in the battles that he is fighting in for the good. He is spilling blood over the right reasons and in doing so he earned the title of Thane of Cawdor. However, this all begins to change once he and Banquo, his right hand man in battle, meet the three witches and they get their prophecies told to them. This begins the downfall of Macbeth, causing corruption, greed, and guilt coming from the actions after the prophecies are told to them. Immediately after Macbeth’s mental state switches as a result to the first prophecy coming true already, he begins thinking that he has to kill King Duncan in order to fulfill the rest of them.

Shakespeare's “Macbeth” is a play that is fundamentally about ambition, guilt, and power of manipulation. It demonstartes the lengths that people may go to in order to achieve a goal. One of the protagonists, known as Lady Macbeth, is a character that deomnstartes the themes of ambition and the power of manipulation. Macbeth had the ambition to kill Duncan in order to become king. If it wasn’t for his wife, Lady Macbeth, he would not have done so.

The murder of both Duncan and Malcolm. The Witches tell Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King. Macbeth receives the name Thane of Cawdor and he is pleased but only one of the two truths have occurred. Macbeth wants to be called King and Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth says, “ I am Thane of Cawdor: If good, why do

Macbeth, learning from the witches that he will become king, decides that the Thane of Cawdor is not enough and, with the help of Lady Macbeth, schemes to murder King Duncan. Macbeth becomes so struck with greed that he gets upset when Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland. "Noble Banquo, That has been no less deserved, and it must be known no less to have been done so. Let me enfold thee and hold thee to my heart." (1.4.28-33)  This is Duncan talking to Banquo about his reward for risking his life and fighting for the prosperity of Ireland.

Even though it is not clear how the thane betrayed Scotland, the king still finds out and plans to have him executed for his treason. Due to his betrayal, King Duncan decides to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth for his heroic acts in the war. Macbeth will have the power to rule of all of Cawdor. Despite all the power that Macbeth just gained he becomes greedy for more. Macbeth

However, he and his family end up on the trail of Macbeth's murders as he is perceived as a threat to Macbeth's reign as king of Scotland. Duncan also succumbs to the destructive nature of Macbeth's ambition despite being the rightful king. He is also a victim of other people's ambitions who exploit his good character for their own gains

In act 1, Macbeth meets the witches and they tell him that he will become Thane of Cawdor, and later the King of Scotland. This is explained in this quote; “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail Macbeth! Hail to the, Thane of Cawdor!

Macbeth's destiny for power was confirmed by Three witches and occur through the motivation of his wife. The tragedy of Macbeth starts with him returning home from a battle, displaying his dominance and honor. Macbeth begins basking in his victory when Duncan announces that his son Malcolm would be the next heir to the throne. As a result of Macbeth's skill on the battle, Duncan gives Macbeth the title " Thane of Cawdor". This is Macbeth first taste of

Overall, the theme of irony is heavily present in Macbeth, illustrating how even a powerful prince struggles with the consequences of his own decisions and the internal conflict between justice and crime. Through Macbeth's own experiences and tragedies, the audience learns about the dangers of ambition and the consequences of power. As Holtzman explains, “The ultimate lesson Macbeth conveys is that control of the situation can be lost in a dangerous rage or in a predilection towards his desires and inner turmoil”. Macbeth serves as a warning to the audience to make mindful and rational decisions and not to get caught up in their emotions.

This confronting revelation communicates the overpowering nature of ambition and the defeminisation and villainous nature of Lady Macbeth's character. Consequently, the audience can understand how Macbeth is influenced by the power dynamics between his wife and himself. Macbeth later acknowledges his wifes fearlessness, praising her and believing her to only bear

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

His capricious and malicious acts prove how naive and vile he is as a person. Macbeth even attempts to kill Banquo to prevent any trace of his nature from making him, a “fruitless crown.” Macbeth states, “Must lave or honors in the flattering streams, and make our face vizards to our heart, disguising who we are,”(3.2.45). With such desperation, Macbeth is willing to include other people in his premeditated murder. By having Lady Macbeth be part of his plot to kill Banquo, Macbeth reveals two things about himself: That he does not value those around him, even if they are his loved ones, and that he places his personal success over all aspects of his life.

William Shakespeare, playwright of Macbeth, shows the importance that power and corruption can hold on a person’s humanity. In order to prove the true effect of personal gains, he uses the main character, Macbeth, to show how evil people are willing to become. Personal power has the ability to be essential to greatness, but at the same time is able to destroy a person’s true nature. Believe it or not, Macbeth once was a man of honor. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth was loyal to King Duncan, a strong military leader, and a respected husband.

Throughout the play, Macbeth is viewed with hostility in regard to his unscrupulous actions. However, the fact that it was Lady Macbeth who was the mastermind behind king Duncan’s death is often