Macbeth or Macdeath? (Spoilers)!
Posted: 06 Jan 2015, 21:41
So, in my quest to soak up every word the Bard has written, I read Macbeth for my AP Literature course. Right off the bat, the prose is simpler than that of Romeo and Juliet, the other work I had read by Willy Shakes at this point. The play begins with Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, mericlessly murdering a traitor. Then, he and his buddy Banquo chat up some witches (Wyrd Sisters...whatever). The three of them symbolize past, present, and future. To Macbeth, they offer a concrete prediction. He will be promoted to Thane of Cawdor, and then to King of Scotland. (This is called Shakespeare's Scottish play for now obvious reasons.) Banquo's prophecy is much more abstract, but he's not worried. He wonders simply if he and Macbeth had eaten some "special roots". Macbeth immediately jumps to the conclusion that he must murder Duncan, the current king of Scotland.
We are then introduced to, who I can affectionately call, the mother of all craziness. Actually, her name is Lady Macbeth, and she's our dude Macbeth's wife. So she gives this speech after reading a letter from Macbeth informing her of the prophecy he received. She feels he is too womanly to proceed with the acts that he must do to earn the crown. He comes home, and she wastes no time in telling him this.
To make a long story short, Macbeth kills Duncan, Banquo (and attempts to kill his son), a rebel named Macduff's family, and likley many more, all before his wife commits suicide. He then gallantly rides of into the moving forest and dies at the hand of a young boy, leaving the throne open for Malcolm, Duncan's son to take his place. This is not an in-depth review. I actually have some things I would like to discuss regarding the play.
Why is Banquo's prophecy so abstract from the witches to begin with?
How to Banquo and Macduff differ? As they both serve as foils for Macbeth, how are they similar?
What is the purpose of flip-flopping Macbeth and his Lady's personality? Is fate to blame, and is Macbeth crazy enough to try to outsmart it? Additionally, how does their relationship change throughout the play? Do you think they loved each other deeply?
What is the purpose of the three apparitions, and alse Hecate's appearence in Macbeth?
Psyhcologically (including internal and external forces), what factors cause Macbeth to change?
-- 06 Jan 2015, 21:42 --
Personally...
I think Banquo's prophecy is so complex to show that even though his is not as simple as Macbeth's he pays no mind to it, until later, when he confesses to his son that he has been losing sleep over them. I think he realizes a change in Macbeth and begins to worry for his and his son's sake.
(I will answer the rest later, promise!)
We are then introduced to, who I can affectionately call, the mother of all craziness. Actually, her name is Lady Macbeth, and she's our dude Macbeth's wife. So she gives this speech after reading a letter from Macbeth informing her of the prophecy he received. She feels he is too womanly to proceed with the acts that he must do to earn the crown. He comes home, and she wastes no time in telling him this.
To make a long story short, Macbeth kills Duncan, Banquo (and attempts to kill his son), a rebel named Macduff's family, and likley many more, all before his wife commits suicide. He then gallantly rides of into the moving forest and dies at the hand of a young boy, leaving the throne open for Malcolm, Duncan's son to take his place. This is not an in-depth review. I actually have some things I would like to discuss regarding the play.
Why is Banquo's prophecy so abstract from the witches to begin with?
How to Banquo and Macduff differ? As they both serve as foils for Macbeth, how are they similar?
What is the purpose of flip-flopping Macbeth and his Lady's personality? Is fate to blame, and is Macbeth crazy enough to try to outsmart it? Additionally, how does their relationship change throughout the play? Do you think they loved each other deeply?
What is the purpose of the three apparitions, and alse Hecate's appearence in Macbeth?
Psyhcologically (including internal and external forces), what factors cause Macbeth to change?
-- 06 Jan 2015, 21:42 --
Personally...
I think Banquo's prophecy is so complex to show that even though his is not as simple as Macbeth's he pays no mind to it, until later, when he confesses to his son that he has been losing sleep over them. I think he realizes a change in Macbeth and begins to worry for his and his son's sake.
(I will answer the rest later, promise!)