This term paper is concerned with William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, focusing on the instances which lead to the protagonist’s, Macbeth’s, rise and fall.
In this context I will analyse the major characters’, Macbeth’s as well as Lady Macbeth’s, tragic progression with respect to whether the belief in the witches’ prophecies is the reason for their mutual downfall as a couple or if there are any other circumstances, which lead to their demise. Hence, both characters’ perspectives on the course of events will be demonstrated. An aspect which indispensably needs to be mentioned in connection with this topic are relations of power at the time the novel was written, that is Elizabethan England. Queen Elizabeth I as the most powerful human being in the country plays a significant role, since power is also attributed to females. In order to understand the role of the female character in The Tragedy of Macbeth, one needs to be aware of the fact that this work was written in the year 1606 , three years after the death of Queen Elizabeth I . Given the fact that Queen Elizabeth I was considered the most powerful person in England at that time, this fact might shed light on Lady Macbeth’s actions and behaviour.
The first section of the main part, which makes Lady Macbeth the subject of discussion, will provide information on her capability and potential as a woman, her purposes as well as her immoral and vicious commissions, which influence her husband, Macbeth. Furthermore, her fall into complete madness and despair will be addressed. Subsequently, Macbeth’s role with regard to the importance of the function of the witches as a source of influence, as well as his diverse visions, such as Banquo’s ghost, will be examined. Ensuing, the interminable striving for power as well as his anxieties, which make him end up in insanity, will be presented.
In the end a conclusion will be drawn, which summarizes the reasons for Macbeth’s as well as his wife’s downfall. It will be indicated whether it is the witches’ prophecies, which mislead Macbeth into committing his crimes and in the end made him and his wife fall, whether Lady Macbeth herself is the one to blame or whether several instances in a body brought the misery about.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
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- Lady Macbeth's Potential and Purposes
- Lady Macbeth's Influence on Macbeth and Her Way into Madness
- The Influence of The Weird Sisters/ The Witches on Macbeth
- Macbeth's Visions, Anxieties and Madness
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper examines William Shakespeare's *The Tragedy of Macbeth*, focusing on the events leading to the protagonist's, Macbeth's, rise and fall. It analyzes the tragic progression of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, considering whether the belief in the witches' prophecies is the reason for their downfall as a couple or if other circumstances contributed to their demise. The paper explores both characters' perspectives on the course of events, emphasizing the influence of power dynamics in Elizabethan England.
- The influence of Lady Macbeth's ambition and manipulation on Macbeth's actions
- The role of the witches' prophecies in shaping Macbeth's fate
- The impact of guilt, paranoia, and madness on Macbeth's downfall
- The significance of power dynamics and gender roles in Elizabethan England
- The interplay between free will and fate in Macbeth's tragic trajectory
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction provides an overview of the term paper's focus on Macbeth's rise and fall, highlighting the influence of Lady Macbeth's ambition and the potential role of the witches' prophecies. It contextualizes the play within Elizabethan England and emphasizes the significance of power dynamics.
- Lady Macbeth's Potential and Purposes: This section explores Lady Macbeth's ambition for power and her manipulative strategies to persuade her husband to commit the murder of King Duncan. It examines her ruthless nature and her willingness to suppress her emotions to achieve her goals.
- Lady Macbeth's Influence on Macbeth and Her Way into Madness: This chapter examines the impact of Lady Macbeth's influence on Macbeth's decisions and actions. It analyzes her role in driving him towards the murder of Duncan and explores her subsequent descent into madness and despair.
- The Influence of The Weird Sisters/ The Witches on Macbeth: This section investigates the role of the witches and their prophecies in Macbeth's life. It analyzes their influence on his thoughts and actions, exploring whether their prophecies are the sole cause of his downfall or merely a contributing factor.
- Macbeth's Visions, Anxieties and Madness: This chapter delves into Macbeth's mental state and explores the impact of his visions, anxieties, and paranoia. It analyzes the role of his guilt, his fear of retribution, and his eventual descent into insanity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this work include: *The Tragedy of Macbeth*, Lady Macbeth, ambition, manipulation, power dynamics, witches, prophecies, guilt, paranoia, madness, Elizabethan England, free will, fate, tragic hero.
- Quote paper
- Patrycia Gellert (Author), 2015, From Rise to Fall. An Elaboration on the Influences leading to the Macbeths’ Criminal Acts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/428973
