Alexia Miller - Grade: B PDF

Preview

Summary

This an old macbeth essay for English 101 with skip...

Description

Miller 1

Murderous Manipulation Within a Relationship William Shakespeare is well-known for using symbols and motifs in various of his plays. Shakespeare’s electrifying play Macbeth exhibits manipulating forces within a relationship through its use of symbols and motifs. Through the tragedy, the theme of manipulation is shown through the motif murder. In the beginning of the play, manipulating forces within a relationship is revealed when Lady Macbeth learns of the witches’ prophecy. She decides that Macbeth should kill Duncan in order to replace him as king. However, Lady Macbeth states “Yet I do fear thy nature, it is o’ th milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness that should attend it” (Shakespeare.1.5.13-17). She is concerned that Macbeth is too kind-hearted to do what it takes to be king. Macbeth is described as a loyal man- not one who will perform dark deeds. However, she is power hungry and is the strongest influence Macbeths life. In “The Importance of Lady Macbeths Influence on her Husband,” Bartleby writes “Macbeth proves to be a man who is greatly influenced by his wife’s ideas and ambition at the start of the play” (“The Importance of Lady Macbeths Influence on her Husband”). Therefore, when Lady Macbeth mentions her devious plan for Macbeth, he coincides. This is the first sign of manipulation through murder in the play. Macbeth had no plans to harm anyone before his wife planted the seed into his mind. As the play continues and the plot becomes more complicated, manipulation within the Macbeths relationship is further developed when Macbeth is having second thoughts on murdering Duncan. Macbeth is fearful that Lady Macbeths treacherous plan will fail. She declares “We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking- place, and we’ll not fail” (Shakespeare. 1.7.60-61). She is implying that if Macbeth gets his courage up, there is no

Miller 2

possible way they could fail. This provides Macbeth with the motivation and confidence he needs in order to commit the murder of Duncan. Although Macbeth had previously agreed to Lady Macbeth’s plan for him to murder Duncan, he would never have truly followed through with the scheme until he was further manipulated. As the play comes to a close, the relationships manipulation is refined by Macbeth’s mind being troubled due to his actions. Lady Macbeth reassures him not to speak of this nonsense. She contends “My hands are of your color but I shame to wear a heart so white” (Shakespeare. 2.2.61-62). She is insinuating that she is as much involved as he is, however, she is not weak enough to let it affect her life similarly to him. Furthermore, she is manipulating him once again into not having remorse for his actions. Lady Macbeth is making a monster out of Macbeth. Bartleby writes “Lady Macbeth chooses the path of evil to fulfill her unscrupulous ambition” (“The Importance of Lady Macbeth’s Influence on her Husband”). Her manipulation is what ultimately leads to the tragedy of Macbeth. In conclusion, Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth consistently uses the symbol manipulating forces within a relationship and the motif murder. Macbeth is a puppet at the hands of his wife, Lady Macbeth. She manipulates him into committing a crime he never truly desires to execute.

Miller 3

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Holt McDougal Literature. Eds. Janet Allen, et al. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2012. 348-431. Print.

“The Importance of Lady Macbeth’s Influence on Her Husband Essays.” Bartleby. 2013. February 2018. Bartleby.com. Web....