Blackness in Macbeth Essay example - 2735 Words

Blackness in Macbeth The Bard of Avon shows in his tragedy Macbeth an evil couple who face the dark hand of death - as a result of criminal deeds. Let us look closely at the growing, enveloping darkness of the play as it progresses. In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson identifies the darkness in the play with evil, hell, devils: Mr. Kenneth Muir, in his introduction to the play - which does not, by the way, interpret it simply from this point of view - aptly describes the cumulative effect of the imagery: The contrast between light and darkness [suggested by the imagery] is part of a general antithesis between good and evil, devils and angels, evil and grace, hell and heaven . .†¦show more content†¦Macbeth, of course, literally means that his love for Duncan was so strong and so swift that it got ahead of his reason, which would have counseled a pause. But in the same way we have seen his greed and ambition outrun his reason when he committed the murder; and in the same way all of the characters, in the irrational darkness of Scotlands evil hour, are compelled in their action to strive beyond what they can see by reason alone. Even Malcolm and Macduff, as we shall see, are compelled to go beyond reason in the action which destroys Macbeth and ends the play. (106-7) L.C. Knights in the essay Macbeth describes the moral darkness into which Macbeth lowers himself: The main theme of the reversal of values is given out simply and clearly in the first scene - Fair is foul, and foul is fair; and with it are associated premonitions of the conflict, disorder and moral darkness into which Macbeth will plunge himself. (95) The Tragedy of Macbeth opens in a desert place with thunder and lightning (typical accompaniment to darkness) and three witches, somber and dark in appearance, who are anticipating their meeting with Macbeth, There to meet with Macbeth. They all say together the mysterious and contradictory Fair is foul, and foul is fair. When the Norweyan forces are vanquished, Duncan bids Ross to greet Macbeth with his new title of Thane of Cawdor. Before this happens, however, Macbeth is greeted by the witches withShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Power of the Night in Macbeth1392 Words   |  6 Pages The world renowned masterpiece, Macbeth, is a tragedy that has lasted throughout the centuries and has had a significant impact on English literature. The play takes place in turbulent times, in which betrayal, falsehood, and concealment lead to misery. To thoroughly encompass the suffering and wickedness that take place throughout the tragedy, Shakespeare uses dark imagery which evoke s a sense of foreboding and imminent evil. A.C. Bradley describes Shakespeare’s technique concerningRead More Darkness in Macbeth Essay581 Words   |  3 PagesA.C. Bradley wrote that about Macbeth: â€Å"darkness, we may even say blackness, broods over this tragedy... all the scenes which at once recur to memory take place either at night or in some dark spot.† The Tragedy of Macbeth contains many instances where darkness is represented and portrayed whether it occurs at night or the actions. Many actions that were completed by Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the prophecies told by the witches, all have corrupt intentions or outcomes. Shakespeare often will useRead MoreEssay about Macbeth1001 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’? 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ConvictedRead More Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - Beyond the Fair and Foul1059 Words   |  5 PagesMore to Macbeth than Fair and Foul      Ã‚  Ã‚   The statement Fair is foul, and foul is fair does not thoroughly express the many themes of Shakespeares Macbeth.   The first time this statement occurs is very early in the play, when the witches chant the exact line Fair is foul, and foul is fair(I.i.12) only for Macbeth to repeat it himself two scenes later.   This repetition of the lines shows that the characters themselves believe that there are many foul events taking place.   Firstly, one canRead MoreEssay about Witchcraft, Murder and Ghosts in Macbeth1142 Words   |  5 PagesWitchcraft, Murder and Ghosts in Macbeth       A notable point within Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is the use of the three witches in the opening scene.   The number of witches for a contemporary audience can go unnoticed.   However in the time that Shakespeare the symbolic meaning of the number three was important, as it symbolized unluckiness and when remembering the fear of the unnatural and being unlucky (epitomized by such historical events as the rage of witch trials within Britain).   ThisRead MoreSocial Context of Othello667 Words   |  3 PagesOn November 1, 1604, King James I and his court were the first to watch a production of William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Othello.† The famous playwright was in the midst of his tragedy period, penning such classics as â€Å"Hamlet,† â€Å"King Lear,† and â€Å"Macbeth.† The story of â€Å"Othello† has its roots in the historical events and cultural atmosphere of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was a common practice of playwrights at the time to borrow or lift plot ideas from other preexisting stories, and ShakespeareRead More Heart of Darkness versus MacBeth Essay1677 Words   |  7 Pages Heart of Darkness and MacBeth  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Joseph Conrad and William Shakespeare are not traditionally paired up for a critical analysis. However, the characters MacBeth and Kurtz in MacBeth and Heart of Darkness, respectively, prove to be worthy of comparison. MacBeth and Kurtz share many common characteristics: both have vaulting ambition that leads both to their success and their demise, a superiority complex, and both make similar sacrifices to achieve their goal. DespiteRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares The Tragedy of Macbeth1576 Words   |  7 Pagesthe suspenseful drama The Tragedy of Macbeth, William Shakespeare tells a tale of an overly ambitious nobleman’s sinful rise to power and his dreadful, deadly downfall. Macbeth, the main character and antagonist, begins the drama as a loyal captain. Duncan, the King of Scotland, praises Macbeth, declaring him as a â€Å"worthy gentleman† (I.ii.24). Later, three unnamed witches appear to Macbeth and his loyal friend Banquo, and the witches proph etically greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor