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.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2.1 Lady Macbeth’s Potential and Purposes
2.2 Lady Macbeth’s Influence on Macbeth and Her Way into Madness
2.3 The Influence of The Weird Sisters/ The Witches on Macbeth
2.4 Macbeth’s Visions, Anxieties and Madness
3 Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This term paper examines the tragic progression of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, focusing on the external and internal influences that precipitate their downfall. It explores the interplay between ambition, the supernatural, and the psychological decay of both characters within the socio-political context of Elizabethan England.
- The role of ambition and psychological manipulation in the Macbeths' decline.
- The influence of the Weird Sisters and their prophecies on the narrative arc.
- Gender roles and the impact of Elizabethan power structures on female characters.
- Analysis of hallucinations and the progression of madness in the protagonists.
- The tension between human agency and external predestination.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Lady Macbeth’s Potential and Purposes
In order to comprehend Macbeth’s ferocious activity throughout the tragedy, which in the end leads to his own and his wife’s downfall, one needs to be familiar with the weight of female power during Shakespeare’s time. Lady Macbeth’s ambition for power runs like a thread throughout the whole play. She self-consciously tries to persuade her husband to commit the murder of King Duncan, which shows that power is something she, in fact, craves herself. She leaves no remedy untried in order to convince her husband of ascending the throne in a manipulatory way. Lady Macbeth displays no emotions in doing so, which is rather unlikely for a woman, but essential for achieving her will (Browne 99). She increasingly exhibits characteristics, such as unscrupulousness and incontinence.
In the following an elaboration on Lady Macbeth’s evil thoughts in order to achieve her objective will be given. In the course of this, Act I, Scene 5, ll. 1-25 will serve as the source of analysis.
“They met me in the day of success; and […] they have more in them than mortal knowledge. […] they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the King, who all hailed me Thane of Cawdor, by which title, before, these Weird Sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming-on of Time with ‘Hail Kind that shalt be. […]” Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness […] Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. […] And that which rather thou dost fear to do, Than wishest should be undone. […] That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue […]. 3
This quotations concerns the letter Lady Macbeth received from her husband, in which Macbeth relates his encounter with the witches. He expresses that on the one hand, he believes in the witches’ existence and prophecies, but on the other hand he is sceptical, since the last prophecy has not come true by then.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the paper, detailing the intention to analyze the tragic rise and fall of the Macbeths through their motivations, the influence of the witches, and the Elizabethan context.
2.1 Lady Macbeth’s Potential and Purposes: This section explores Lady Macbeth's driving ambition and her manipulative nature as she seeks to influence her husband to seize the throne.
2.2 Lady Macbeth’s Influence on Macbeth and Her Way into Madness: This chapter examines the psychological pressure Lady Macbeth exerts on her husband and the eventual onset of her own mental deterioration.
2.3 The Influence of The Weird Sisters/ The Witches on Macbeth: This analysis focuses on the six prophecies and the apparitions, evaluating their role as catalysts for Macbeth's actions and his belief in his own inevitability.
2.4 Macbeth’s Visions, Anxieties and Madness: This part addresses Macbeth's hallucinations, such as the dagger and Banquo's ghost, illustrating his struggle with guilt and his descent into insanity.
3 Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, concluding that Macbeth’s downfall stems from a combination of his own ambition, the witches’ prophecies, and his wife’s manipulation.
Keywords
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, power, ambition, witches, prophecies, hallucinations, madness, guilt, Elizabethan England, manipulation, gender roles, psychological decay, regicide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the instances and influences that lead to the rise and fall of the protagonists, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, in William Shakespeare's tragedy.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the nature of ambition, the impact of the supernatural prophecies, the role of gender in power dynamics, and the psychological disintegration caused by guilt and paranoia.
What is the main research question?
The research asks whether the protagonists' mutual downfall is caused solely by their belief in the witches' prophecies or if other factors, such as personal disposition and social influence, are equally responsible.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The author employs a literary analysis of the play's text, examining specific soliloquies, dialogues, and plot instances, while situating the work within its Elizabethan historical context.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers Lady Macbeth's ambition and manipulation, the influence of the Weird Sisters on Macbeth's trajectory, and the psychological impact of guilt manifesting as visions and madness.
Which keywords characterize this academic work?
Key terms include Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, ambition, madness, prophecy, guilt, gender roles, manipulation, and the supernatural influence of the witches.
How does the author characterize Lady Macbeth's role in the murders?
The author argues that Lady Macbeth acts as a catalyst for her husband's actions, utilizing her ambition to manipulate him into committing regicide, effectively making her deeply complicit in the ensuing violence.
What role does the prophecy concerning Banquo play in Macbeth's mental state?
The prophecy regarding Banquo's lineage causes Macbeth significant anxiety, driving him to commit further crimes, including the attempted murder of Fleance, as he fears losing the power he has gained.
- Citation du texte
- Patrycia Gellert (Auteur), 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
