Noticeable In Shakespeare's Macbeth example essay topic

Macbeth Major Essay - Question 2 When Shakespeare began writing his plays he used real life experiences and emotions felt by everyday people to capture his audience and make it as close to reality as possible. It was said by the great man himself that the function of drama is to "hold the mirror up to nature". In the play "Macbeth", Shakespeare has demonstrated this technique and some examples aren't as obvious as others. The main natural human attribute Shakespeare portrays is that people in our world are ambitious for power, which is highlighted in the main character, Macbeth. Also through Macbeth, Shakespeare shows us how a corrupt leader can destroy an empire, which is even evident in our world today. Through the witches Shakespeare has showed us how in our society we sometimes trust people superficially.

Lastly, through the life of Lady Macbeth lived after King Duncan's murder, we can see how the guilt of evil doings is carried with us forever. Macbeth also showed this guilty conscience as he fought his way for power. From the beginning, when the witches prophesied to Macbeth that he would became Thane of Candor and then King of Scotland, you could sense that he had a reason to act on this and nothing would get in his way for it was his destiny. In our modern world there are people who definitely fit into this category but most don't go to the extremes that Macbeth went to. Most people want to climb higher up the corporate ladder, whether it be a doctor or a delivery truck driver. These people will also try and stop others who threaten this climb to more success.

Macbeth showed this when he said to the witches "then live Macduff: what need I fear of thee?" (Act 4 Scene, Line 82) after hearing that no naturally born child would harm Macbeth. This amplifies to power hungry personalities, which is inside most of us, as Macbeth would literally kill for it. I feel that Lady Macbeth also possessed this greed as she pestered her husband to fulfil the deed of murder so she could be called queen. If it comes to killing your predecessor to gain power then your reign isn't going to be fair but corrupt, as it would be more than likely in your nature, just as it was for Macbeth.

Throughout the period of Macbeth's reign there are conversations when the state of Scotland is brought up. For example when Ross came to Macduff, who had fled to England, saying "alas! Poor country: almost afraid to know itself" (Act 4 Scene 3, Line 165) as the country of Scotland is turning on itself. Macbeth's corrupt rule destroyed the great country that Duncan had left, and executing those who would dare to complain.

In our world today and throughout history, we can relate to this reality displayed by Shakespeare, as crooked and oppressing rulers have turned empires into minorities. An example of this would be the Roman emperor, Nero could be compared to Macbeth through his cruelty and the fact that Nero's reign was the beginning of the fall of the empire. Macbeth used executions as it was made clear by Ross when he said, "the dead man's knell is there scarce ask'd for who" (Act 4 Scene 3, Line 170-1). From history we can clearly see that when rulers start oppressing the people of their country, the whole nation comes to a stand still, the economy falls, and the morale of the people is decimated. The 'double-sense' talking by the witches where Macbeth was drawn in too easily, brought on part of his corrupt leadership. I feel that Shakespeare used the deceptiveness of the witches, not only to reflect real life, but also to warn his audience of people like this.

He uses the witches to show his audience that we trust people superficially without even knowing what there really on about. The three witches gain Macbeth's trust very easily and quickly as the first thing each of them said to him was "all hail Macbeth, hail to thee" (Act 1 Scene 3, Line 48-50). They drew him in through compliments, as do many people in reality. We believe what some people say because not only do we develop a liking to them but also because we like what they say.

The problem is that these people are only using that friendly approach as a front to some plan, which usually involves a loss from you so they can gain something through this technique. Car salesmen are the ultimate experts in this field. Shakespeare also displays the secret that these type of people use and that is the 'double sense' talk, which is thoroughly used by the witches. Macbeth realises that the witches "palter with us in a double sense" (Act 5 Scene 7, Line 49) after he finds out that Macduff, who was about to kill him, was a caesarean birth. This meant that the second apparition which was "laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" (Act 4 Scene 1, Line 80) and therefore didn't apply to Macduff, Macbeth's main suspicion.

This is another reason why Shakespeare does indeed "hold up the mirror to nature" as I know of a number of people who use the 'double sense' talk. Macbeth not only displays a great historical story of a period in Scotland's History but also reflects real life. Shakespeare is well known for this method and it really makes the story relevant to the audience. From this play I could gather that people in our world are power hungry and Macbeth himself certainly backed this up through his murderous path to the throne.

Secondly the way that Macbeth was corruptive and oppressive to his people is also evident around our globe with current rulers showing this criminal attribute. Lastly, Shakespeare in a way warns us of the devious people in our society who trick us into believing them but more to the point, we often trust superficially. All of these points are noticeable in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', and they do indeed reflect real life as we see it. I do believe that the function of drama is "to hold the mirror up to nature" and would absolutely agree with this comment made by Shakespeare.

In conclusion, from thoroughly analysing the play, 'Macbeth', I have been able to view this technique by Shakespeare look forward to identifying it in more of his plays.