book

Macbeth - Example of a Flawed Character

21 Pages 1025 Words 1557 Views

In Act 1, Scene 2, Shakespeare describes Macbeth as a warrior hero due to his performance in battle. Phrases such as "Valour's minions  and "Bellona's bridegroom  are prime examples of Macbeth's superherosim. His strength is underscored by the captain's graphic account of Macbeth's actions on the battlefield. As an introduction to the play, we first hear Macbeth being praised by the captain, this allows the audience to understand Macbeth's role in the beginning of the play and paint a clear picture of what will come next for Macbeth as the play progresses. Macbeth's actions on the battlefield highlight his position in the play, giving of the impression that he holds great authority within the land. Macbeth did not simply kill Macdonald; he "unseem'd him from the nave to the crop , this may be a reference that foreshadows Macbeth's death at the end of the play. Macbeth's reputation on the battlefield is further enhanced by the similes of the Captains second report, in which Macbeth and his fellow-captain, Banquo, are compared to "eagles  and "lions . Symbolically, the lions appear on the royal coat of arms of the kings of Scotland. Shakespeare uses violent imagery when describing Macbeths activity on the battlefield, this may come across to the audience as Macbeth is an extremely aggressive character and has the ability to kill anyone that appear in his way, this clearly highlights the idea of Macbeth making his territory. Shakespeare has presented Macbeth as brave and fearless, which is crucial to the play, for tragedy depends on our witnessing the downfall of an already great man. In Act 1, Scene 3 we begin to recognize that Macbeth is an easily influenced character and seems to be hypnotised by the word of the witches. Macbeth begins this sense with the words "so fool and fair a day I have not seen . This clearly demonstrates the level in which the witches have successfully brainwashed Macbeth into believing their prophec

Read Full Essay