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Macbeth ambition2/28/2023 ![]() ![]() Indeed, this image is a visceral and bloody evocation of Macbeth’s prowess. However, this is no bad thing since it is done out of loyalty and in service of the King, as indicated by the positive connotations of ‘valiant’ and the fact that both Duncan and the soldier celebrate his feats of strength, such as, the way in which he ‘unseem’d him from the nave to the chaps’. Indeed, Shakespeare’s use of plosive sounds only reinforce a sense of power and aggression. This latter image highlights the way in which Macbeth’s character is inextricably linked to war and violence – he is married to the deified version of war. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ‘brave’ and ‘valiant’, even describing him as ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’. One might think, for instance, of the complete contrast to this scene at the start of the play. Whilst this is certainly a crucial extract when considering how Shakespeare presents Macbeth there are other, equally important, moments. This solidifies the overarching purpose of the extract: to dramatize the consequences of committing regicide and transgressing one’s station in life, in this case, guilt and extreme distress. ![]() Thus, in the extract Macbeth is depicted as a guilt-ridden individual, tortured by his past deeds. It is interesting to note that Shakespeare personifies the graves and transforms them into an active participant: they are the ones sending the dead back, which adds to a sense that Macbeth fears those in the afterlife might seek vengeance by almost coming back to attack him. This would be a truly terrifying thought for the far more supernaturally inclined Shakespearean audience, and indeed for a character who has just killed the king. The stanza concludes again on a note of anxiety as Macbeth wonders what might happen if ‘graves must send those we bury back’. It also perhaps suggests a frantic attempt to regain control by issuing orders. Shakespeare’s flurry of imperatives, such as, ‘see’, ‘behold’ and ‘look’, cement a tone of urgency and anxiety, almost as though Macbeth is desperate for Lady Macbeth to sympathise with him. In the final stanza of the extract, one gains further insight in Macbeth’s emotional state. Within the world of the play, Lady Macbeth uses this to manipulate her husband, but it again alerts the audience to his overarching emotional reaction of guilt and distress, which is itself a fitting consequence of his crimes. Here, Shakespeare is utilising typical Jacobean gender dynamics to portray Macbeth as weak by suggesting his fear is not masculine and ought to be rejected. Shakespeare then develops this point when Lady Macbeth denigrates his concerns as ‘a woman’s story at a winter’s fire’. It is a ‘flaw’ that ought to be overcome, as indeed it is as the play continues. This indicates that Lady Macbeth feels Macbeth’s guilt is somehow perverse or anomalous and it detracts from his character. Shakespeare continues this depiction of Lady Macbeth castigating her husband when she refers to his fear as ‘flaws’. Shakespeare’s choice of ‘air drawn’ also implies Lady Macbeth feels the dagger is simply a figment of Macbeth’s frenzied mind, which in itself augments how fearful and guilt-ridden Macbeth is. However, Lady Macbeth appears quite dismissive of this, suggesting it is not something of which he ought to be wary. She begins by chastising Macbeth for being afraid of an ‘air drawn dagger’, which Shakespeare has previously used as an externalisation of the protagonist’s guilt. This sense of fear is then highlighted through Shakespeare’s depiction of Lady Macbeth. Thus, the extract begins with Shakespeare suggesting Macbeth’s fear or even guilt as to what he has done to Banquo. Given Macbeth is described as aghast at the sight of Banquo, he then is the perhaps devil that would be appalled. It could also be suggested that Macbeth is referring to himself in the third person, with Shakespeare doing this to highlight Macbeth’s evil. Shakespeare establishes a tone of desperate fear as Macbeth seems to claim Banquo’s bloodied body is enough to repulse even the devil. One immediately notices Macbeth’s tortured declaration that seeing Banquo might ‘appal the devil’. Here, Macbeth is responding to the sight of Banquo at the banquet, suggestive of the violent consequences of his ambition and how it will haunt him. ![]() This is largely because the scene is the culmination of a chain of events in which Macbeth has increasingly displayed his almost aggressive ambition, leading to the murder of Banquo. When considering how Shakespeare presents the character of Macbeth as ambitious one recognises this extract is a pivotal moment in the play. Starting with the extract explain how Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ambitious ![]()
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