The Main Man in Macbeth :: Free Macbeth Essays

The Main Man in Macbeth Shakespeares tragedy Macbeth teaches many lessons through the character of Macbeth, whom this essay will consider in detail. In Everybodys Shakespeare Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies, Maynard Mack shows how Macbeth complements his wife Her fall is instantaneous, even eager, like Eves in Paradise Lost his is gradual and reluctant, like Adams. She needs only her husbands garner about the weyard sisters foretelling to precipitate her resolve to kill Duncan. Within an instant she is inviting murderous spirits to unsex her, fill her with cruelty, thicken her blood, convert her mothers milk to gall, and darken the world That my express emotion knife see not the wound it makes (1.5.50). Macbeth, in contrast, vacillates. The images of the deed that possess him simultaneously repel him (1.3.130, 1.7.1) When she proposes Duncans murder, he temporizes We will speak get on (1.5.69). (189) Lily B. Campbell in her volume of criticism, Shakespeares Tragic Heroe s Slaves of Passion, explores the workings of Macbeths mind as he plots the destruction of Banquo and son If the witches have spoken as truly to Banquo as to him, Macbeth sees that he wears a trifling crown and carries a barren sceptre in his hand he has indeed given peace and immortality to make the race of Banquo kings. And he proceeds to his consultation with the murderers, plotting what he dare not do openly, for the fear that comes when we are rivals for a thing and cannot both have it makes it seem to Macbeth That every arcminute of his being thrusts Against my nearst of animateness and he will kill his fear by having Banquo and Fleance both put to death.(224) In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson tells how the audience is accustomed to identify with such a rogue as Macbeth That such a man should sacrifice all the wealth of his human spirit - his kindness, his love, his very understanding - to become a victim to continual fears, a tyran t ruthlessly murdering in the vain attempt to feel safe, finally to be killed like a foul sentient being of prey - this is terrible, and pitiful, too. Shakespeare has here achieved for us most poignantly the ambivalence of the tragic effect Aristotle described. We see the necessity of Macbeths destruction we acquiesce in his punishment unreservedly and yet we would find whatever excuses for him we can, because we admire the Promethean quality of his courage, because we recognize his conscience as like our own, and because we share his guilt.The Main Man in Macbeth Free Macbeth EssaysThe Main Man in Macbeth Shakespeares tragedy Macbeth teaches many lessons through the character of Macbeth, whom this essay will consider in detail. In Everybodys Shakespeare Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies, Maynard Mack shows how Macbeth complements his wife Her fall is instantaneous, even eager, like Eves in Paradise Lost his is gradual and reluctant, like Adams. She needs only her husbands letter about the weyard sisters prophecy to precipitate her resolve to kill Duncan. Within an instant she is inviting murderous spirits to unsex her, fill her with cruelty, thicken her blood, convert her mothers milk to gall, and darken the world That my keen knife see not the wound it makes (1.5.50). Macbeth, in contrast, vacillates. The images of the deed that possess him simultaneously repel him (1.3.130, 1.7.1) When she proposes Duncans murder, he temporizes We will speak further (1.5.69). (189) Lily B. Campbell in her volume of criticism, Shakespeares Tragic Heroes Slaves of Passion, explores the workings of Macbeths mind as he plots the destruction of Banquo and son If the witches have spoken as truly to Banquo as to him, Macbeth sees that he wears a fruitless crown and carries a barren sceptre in his hand he has indeed given peace and immortality to make the race of Banquo kings. And he proceeds to his interview with the murderers, plotting what he dare not do openly, for the fear that comes when we are rivals for a thing and cannot both have it makes it seem to Macbeth That every minute of his being thrusts Against my nearst of life and he will kill his fear by having Banquo and Fleance both put to death.(224) In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson tells how the audience is inclined to identify with such a rogue as Macbeth That such a man should sacrifice all the wealth of his human spirit - his kindness, his love, his very soul - to become a victim to continual fears, a tyrant ruthlessly murdering in the vain attempt to feel safe, finally to be killed like a foul beast of prey - this is terrible, and pitiful, too. Shakespeare has here achieved for us most poignantly the ambivalence of the tragic effect Aristotle described. We see the necessity of Macbeths destruction we acquiesce in his punishment unreservedly and yet we would find whatever excuses for him we can, because we admire the Promethean quality of his coura ge, because we recognize his conscience as like our own, and because we share his guilt.