macbeth vce essay

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A+ Student Essay: The Significance of Equivocation in Macbeth

Macbeth is a play about subterfuge and trickery. Macbeth, his wife, and the three Weird Sisters are linked in their mutual refusal to come right out and say things directly. Instead, they rely on implications, riddles, and ambiguity to evade the truth. Macbeth’s ability to manipulate his language and his public image in order to hide his foul crimes makes him a very modern-seeming politician. However, his inability to see past the witches’ equivocations—even as he utilizes the practice himself—ultimately leads to his downfall.

Sometimes, equivocations in Macbeth are meant kindly, as when Ross tries to spare Macduff’s feelings by telling him that his wife and son are “well.” Macduff initially takes this to mean that his family is alive and healthy, but Ross means that they are dead and in heaven. More often than not, though, such ambiguous statements lead to harm. The witches’ deceptive prophecies are perhaps the most destructive instances of equivocation. They tell Macbeth that he can never be harmed by anyone “of woman born,” but they neglect to tell him that Macduff was surgically removed from his mother’s womb and therefore doesn’t fall into that category. Similarly, they tell Macbeth that he can’t be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, but they don’t alert him to the possibility that the opposing army might advance on his castle under cover of branches cut from Birnam trees.

Macbeth ignores several signs that might have alerted him to the witches’ deceptive capabilities. Banquo warns Macbeth to be wary of their predictions, since evil creatures will sometimes win people’s confidence with “honest trifles”—small truths—only to betray them more deeply in the future. Indeed, the witches promise Macbeth fame and honor while withholding important information about the consequences that will follow. If Macbeth had been listening closely to the witches’ language, he might have picked up on the their potential for trickery himself. The three Weird Sisters greet Banquo with a series of riddling titles, hailing him as “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater” and “Not so happy, yet much happier.” The phrases sound like nonsense, but in reality both assertions in each statement are true. Banquo will have a lesser title than Macbeth, but is the greater (i.e., more moral) man. He will not be as fortunate as Macbeth in the short term, as he will soon be assassinated, but will ultimately be much more fortunate because he won’t be made to suffer the everlasting torments of hell. At no point do the witches lie to Macbeth—he simply hears what he wants to hear and ignores the rest.

It is ironic that Macbeth falls for the witches’ equivocations, because Macbeth and his wife are master equivocators themselves. Duncan laments that there’s no method with which one may find “the mind’s construction in the face,” meaning that it is impossible to know what a person is truly thinking just from his or her outward appearance. Lady Macbeth mimics this language when she directs her husband to look like an “innocent flower” in order to hide the “serpent” that truly lurks in his heart. The Macbeths know how to use imagery and appearance to conceal the truth, and sometimes they even use those skills on themselves. Macbeth asks the stars to extinguish their light so that his “eye” cannot see what his “hand” does. Similarly, Lady Macbeth asks the night to grow as dark as the “smoke of hell” so that her knife cannot see itself slash its victim. The Macbeths know that their acts are wicked, so they try to hide the knowledge of their deeds from their own consciousness. In a sense, they wish to equivocate to themselves.

Just before Macduff kills him, Macbeth swears that he will never again believe those “juggling fiends” that manipulate words and speak “in a double sense.” However, it’s possible that the three Weird Sisters are not “fiends,” or demons, at all, but rather agents of morality who bring Macbeth to justice by trapping him with his own tricks. The drunken porter, imagining himself the keeper of hell’s gates, pretends to admit “an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God’s sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven.” One can imagine Macbeth receiving a similar welcome from the true porter of hell’s gates.

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Macbeth – A* / L9 Full Mark Example Essay

This is an A* / L9 full mark example essay on Macbeth completed by a 15-year-old student in timed conditions (50 mins writing, 10 mins planning).

It contained a few minor spelling and grammatical errors – but the quality of analysis overall was very high so this didn’t affect the grade. It is extremely good on form and structure, and perhaps could do with more language analysis of poetic and grammatical devices; as the quality of thought and interpretation is so high this again did not impede the overall mark. 

Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here . Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

This course includes: 

• A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
• Downloadable documents for each video lesson 
• A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
• A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play!

For more help with Macbeth and Tragedy, read our article here .

MACBETH EXAMPLE ESSAY:

Macbeth’s ambition for status and power grows throughout the play. Shakespeare uses Macbeth as an embodiment of greed and asks the audience to question their own actions through the use of his wrongful deeds.

In the extract, Macbeth is demonstrated to possess some ambition but with overriding morals, when writing to his wife about the prophecies, Lady Macbeth uses metaphors to describe his kind hearted nature: “yet I do fear thy nature, / It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness”. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a more gentle natured being who is loyal to his king and country. However, the very act of writing the letter demonstrates his inklings of desire, and ambition to take the throne. Perhaps, Shakespeare is aiming to ask the audience about their own thoughts, and whether they would be willing to commit heinous deeds for power and control. 

Furthermore, the extract presents Macbeth’s indecisive tone when thinking of the murder – he doesn’t want to kill Duncan but knows it’s the only way to the throne. Lady Macbeth says she might need to interfere in order to persuade him; his ambition isn’t strong enough yet: “That I may pour my spirits in  thine ear / And chastise with the valour of my tongue”. Here, Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as a manipulative character, conveying she will seduce him in order to “sway “ his mind into killing Duncan. The very need for her persuasion insinuates Macbeth is still weighing up the consequences in his head, his ambition equal with his morality. It would be shocking for the audience to see a female character act in this authoritative way. Lady Macbeth not only holds control of her husband in a patriarchal society but the stage too, speaking in iambic pentameter to portray her status: “To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great”. It is interesting that Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth in this way; she has more ambition for power than her husband at this part of play. 

As the play progresses, in Act 3, Macbeth’s ambition has grown and now kills with ease. He sends three murders to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, as the witches predicted that he may have heirs to the throne which could end his reign. Macbeth is suspicious in this act, hiding his true intentions from his dearest companion and his wife: “I wish your horses swift and sure on foot” and “and make our faces vizards to our hearts”. There, we see, as an audience, Macbeth’s longing to remain King much stronger than his initial attitudes towards the throne He was toying with the idea of killing for the throne and now he is killing those that could interfere with his rule without a second thought. It is interesting that Shakespeare presents him this way, as though he is ignoring his morals or that they have been “numbed” by his ambition. Similarly to his wife in the first act, Macbeth also speaks in pentameter to illustrate his increase in power and dominance. 

In Act 4, his ambition and dependence on power has grown even more. When speaking with the witches about the three apparitions, he uses imperatives to portray his newly adopted controlling nature: “I conjure you” and “answer me”. Here, the use of his aggressive demanding demonstrates his reliance on the throne and his need for security. By the Witches showing him the apparitions and predicting his future, he gains a sense of superiority, believing he is safe and protected from everything. Shakespeare also lengthens Macbeth’s speech in front of the Witches in comparison to Act 1 to show his power and ambition has given him confidence, confidence to speak up to the “filthy nags” and expresses his desires. Although it would be easy to infer Macbeth’s greed and ambition has grown from his power-hungry nature, a more compassionate reading of Macbeth demonstrates the pressure he feels as a Jacobean man and soldier. Perhaps he feels he has to constantly strive for more to impress those around him or instead he may want to be king to feel more worthy and possibly less insecure. 

It would be unusual to see a Jacobean citizen approaching an “embodiment” of the supernatural as forming alliance with them was forbidden and frowned upon. Perhaps Shakespeare uses Macbeth to defy these stereotypical views to show that there is a supernatural, a more dark side in us all and it is up to our own decisions whereas we act on these impulses to do what is morally incorrect. 

If you’re studying Macbeth, you can click here to buy our full online course. Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

You will gain access to  over 8 hours  of  engaging video content , plus  downloadable PDF guides  for  Macbeth  that cover the following topics:

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There are also tiered levels of analysis that allow you to study up to  GCSE ,  A Level  and  University level .

You’ll find plenty of  top level example essays  that will help you to  write your own perfect ones!

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10 things to know when studying Shakespeare's Macbeth

Monday 8th, August 2022

Jess Laven graduated in 2020 with an ATAR of 96.60. In this article, Jess runs through 10 top tips for success when studying Shakespeare's Macbeth . Check out ATAR Notes' Text Guide for Macbeth here . 📚

It is possible that you’ll study Shakespeare’s Macbeth during your high school career, particularly for an English exam. You’re probably having regicidal thoughts at the mere mention of Shakespeare, let alone Macbeth , but it doesn’t have to be this way.

In 2020, I managed to achieve full marks on my external English exam, which was based on Macbeth . I’ve compiled my top 10 tips for studying Shakespeare’s Macbeth that will help you to ace your external English exam without a trace of blood on your hands.

1. Read both the original and translated versions

My school’s copies of Macbeth had a translated version of the script alongside the original Shakespearean version. Full translations are also available for free online.

I recommend reading both versions. You need to be familiar with the original play since this is what you’ll be assessed on; however, reading more than 17,000 words that you don’t understand isn’t productive by itself.

In the original script, Lady Macbeth calls on the spirits that tend on mortal thoughts to unsex her. While it’s important to know how she phrases this infamous quote, reading the modern version will allow you to understand the meaning behind the words. In this instance, Lady Macbeth is asking the spirits that assist murderous thoughts to make her less like a woman and more like a man.

2. Read the script more than once

In Year 12, my peers and I read the original Shakespearean version of Macbeth as a class. In addition to this, I took it upon myself to read the translated version twice, including once on the weekend before my Monday exam to ensure it was fresh in my memory.

It is unlikely that you will fully understand Macbeth after reading the play only once, so reading it a second and potentially a third time is crucial. Doing so is also useful when it comes to compiling quotes, which I will elaborate on shortly.

When I read the translated version, I would consistently refer to the original version, which was conveniently right next to the translation in my copy of the play. This is important because you need to remember and quote the language Shakespeare used in his original play.

3. Don't watch a movie adaption as a substitute for reading the play

If you’re thinking of watching one of the movie adaptions as a substitute for reading the play, think again. While such movies may give you a better understanding of some aspects of Macbeth , they are all significantly different from the original play.

If you choose to watch any Macbeth movie adaptions, ensure that it is to complement the knowledge you gain from reading the play. Also, be careful not to confuse the movies with the play because some inconsistencies could cause you to get your facts wrong in your exam. 

4. Don't call Macbeth a book

Sometimes it’s the little things. My Year 12 English teacher couldn’t stress enough that Macbeth is not a book. In actual fact, Macbeth is a play, and the 17,000 words I mentioned earlier make up the script. 

When you refer to Macbeth , whether it be in your essay writing, verbally or otherwise, always refer to it as a play or text. This will show that you truly understand the context in which Macbeth came to be.  

5. Underline Macbeth when referring to the play

Since “Macbeth” is both the title of the play and a character within the play, you need to differentiate between these in your writing to provide clarity. Therefore, whenever you refer to the play in your writing, always underline “ Macbeth ,” as has been done throughout this article. The reason why you shouldn’t use italics is that this won’t be an option when you’re handwriting an external exam.

6. Practise writing Macbeth essays

I have no doubt that you’ve all heard the saying, “practice makes perfect.” While you should keep in mind that “perfect” is as real as Macbeth’s hallucinations (nonexistent), the message behind these words holds true: you should regularly write analytical essays to help you improve your essay writing skills. Since this is a progressive exercise, you should practise writing Macbeth essays well in advance of your exam to allow time for you to improve. You should also practise writing with pen and paper in exam conditions to reflect the environment you’ll be in for your exam.

Research Macbeth essay questions or ask your teacher for a list and then start writing. Seek feedback from your teacher to help you identify where you need to improve. This will help you to write a well-structured and grammatically and factually accurate essay that showcases your knowledge and, ultimately, responds to the essay prompt. There is no better way to test your knowledge of a topic than to explain it to others, whether it be in essay or spoken form.

7. Do your own research

Hopefully, your teacher will provide you with lots of resources and insight that will give you a strong understanding of the play; however, you should do your own research too. This will give you more ideas about the quotes you should memorise and how you can analyse them. Since the number of quotes available to you during the exam will be limited to your memory, it’s important to know how to spin quotes so you can use them in a range of ways for a range of prompts.

8. Compile a list of quotes to memorise

I compiled a list of more than 60 quotes and noted down the basic meaning of each quote, as well as what themes each quote related to and how. Recording themes like this will help you to make sure you have a broad range of quotes and an in-depth understanding of how each quote can be analysed to suit a range of possible essay prompts.

I wrote my list of quotes in chronological order – the order that they appeared in the play – to help me remember the act and scene numbers. While remembering the quotes themselves is more important than remembering the acts and scenes they came from, this is still worth doing to showcase your knowledge.

The scripts you read may express act and scene numbers as Roman numerals, but you can write them in our everyday numerical form. If you are writing Act 4, Scene 2, you would write these numbers in brackets with a full stop between them, as follows: (4.2).

If you are a visual person, finding a small picture that represents each quote may be a memory strategy you would like to try. For example, for Lady Macbeth’s well-known quote, “Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t,” you could have an image of a flower or a snake.

9. Focus on the Elizabethan Era

Macbeth was written in the Elizabethan era. The language you use and the way you analyse the play should reflect this fact.

For example, when analysing Macbeth’s themes, such as gender, femininity or masculinity, do not do so with a modern lens. We may see Lady Macbeth’s dominance and ambition as a testament to the strength of women from a contemporary perspective. Nevertheless, in the Elizabethan era, her behaviour would have been considered unnatural.

Similarly, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship is unique for the Elizabethan era, which is evident when we compare it to that of Macduff and Lady Macduff. In that time, such relationships would be loving and mutually respectful, but, unnatural as she is, Lady Macbeth holds power over Macbeth. This allows her to influence their plans for regicide and acts as the initial catalyst for Macbeth’s downfall.

In terms of language use, there are words we use today that don’t reflect the context of the play. For instance, when Macbeth killed King Duncan, he committed regicide, not murder. This is because regicide specifically refers to the act of killing a king or queen, while murder is broader.

Familiarise yourself with the Elizabethan era and the language that reflects the time and the characters’ royal status.

10. Access ATAR Notes' resources

I used the ATAR Notes Text Guide on Macbeth to help me understand the play and identify and analyse important quotes. I also attended ATAR Notes’ free English lecture during their annual September lecture series. I recommend taking advantage of resources such as these to give you the edge in your English exam.

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English Works

Macbeth as the basis for a comparative essay

Macbeth and waterfront: a study in conscience and power.

(Dr Jennifer Minter, English Works Study Notes, 2017)

See below for a sample of comparative key ideas between the characters/views and values in both texts

• Macbeth and Terry : their struggle with their conscience. What prompts their moral conflict and how do they resolve it?
• The characters of corruption: the mob and Lady Macbeth : compare their views about life, evil and greed/power.
• The principled characters: Edie and Banquo

Macbeth and his conscience = he commits ever more evil deeds as he compromises his honour and his wellbeing

Macbeth struggles with his conscience. He knows that because of the murderous deed he has “killed Sleep’.   He also knows that he has compromised his honour and set himself up as a target of suspicion. To deal with his guilt, he believes that if he keeps killing he will become desensitized to the guilt and pain. He realizes that “My strange and self abuse/ Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use, We are yet but young in deed.” 125/57  He is particularly alarmed and shamed by  Banquo, because he also witnessed the prophecies. He knows that Banquo takes a principled stance and refuses to compromise his nobility as he has done. He also is angry that he has committed the deed indirectly for Banquo’s sons.  At the end, his life appears futile and meaningless to him because he has sacrificed his nobility and humanity. He has become so desensitized that he no longer feels any compassion and the night shrieks no longer arouse him.

Terry and his guilt and his conscience  = doing good deeds to win Edie’s affection and to satisfy his own need for honour/respect. He shows courage.

Terry is uneasy about his allegiance to the mob and his involvement in Joey’s death. He lured Joey to the top of the tower and the mob “leaned” on him. He is increasingly drawn to Edie and respects her courage and her search for justice. His confession to Edie provides a turning point in his life because it is the first time that he has broken the “deaf and dumb” code to an outsider, which is to endanger his life and he is constantly threatened by Johnny Friendly. Terry tells Edie “you’re the best thing that ever happened to me”.    During the confession scene, Kazan positions Edie and Terry on the hill in the distance. This literally shows Edie’s moral superiority to the longshoremen.  Prior to Terry’s confession, there is a sudden burst of light around the protagonist, which symbolises Terry’s honesty.

The power of the mob = corruption and deceit

The waterfront is dominated by the power of Johnny Friendly’s mob, who seek to enrich themselves through corrupt business tactics.  Kazan depicts Johnny Friendly in and his gang in pseudo-business like attire to draw attention, ironically, to his corrupt and powerful business enterprise on the wharf that dooms the longshoremen to a life of servitude.  They rule the wharf through physical and psychological intimidation. They threaten anyone who breaks the perverted loyalty codes, the “deaf and dumb codes” that turn the longshoremen into victims.  The competitive fight for the tokens on the wharf literally shows the “dog eat dog” environment that belittles and dehumanises the men.   Kazan uses circus-like music to reinforce their animal-like behaviour as they become play-things of the bosses.   Longshoremen such as Joey and Andy, who seek to reveal the truth about the corrupt tactics on the waterfront, are killed.

Responsibility and the choices we make  = good and bad.

Both Shakespeare and Kazan suggest that the individual has the moral responsibility to make choices. Both suggest that individuals should follow their conscience. Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth has the responsibility to choose. He is diminished and morally ruined because of poor choices and his ruthless ambition

Lady Macbeth and responsibility.  Pursuit of evil (Johnny Friendly)

Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a corrupt and evil “witchlike figure” who, “as a partner of greatness” is obsessed with ambition and power. Like the witches before her, she targets Macbeth’s vulnerabilities, such as his desire for power, in order to convince him that he should overcome his fear, unlike the “cat in th’adage” and cease the object of desire.  She deliberately cloaks herself in “direst cruelty” in order to goad Macbeth. For example, she convinces him that he should not break a “promise”; rather he should have the courage to become “what thou art promis’d”. She implies that he is weak and cowardly if he does not ruthlessly pursue his ambitious goals: “when you durst do it then you were a  man ”…

Lady Macbeth sweeps aside her principles and conscience.

She intimidates Macbeth just as the mob intimidate the longshoremen (Johnny friendly intimidates Terry).   Like the corrupt waterfront officials, she overlooks her principles and believes that “water clears us of this deed”.  She convinces Macbeth that it is possible to dismiss one’s conscience by becoming tough and ruthless. She believes that conscience is “child’s play” and should not separate the courageous person from their goal even if it is evil.  She belittles Macbeth’s nobility of character believing that he should show mind over matter and take what he believes is rightfully his. To her, conscience is “brainsickly” and is child’s play. She convinces him that a “little water clears us of this deed” and that only the “infirm of purpose” would dare hesitate as Macbeth does.

Macbeth and choices and responsibility  – because of his ambition, he makes the wrong choice

To the extent that Macbeth is aware of his fatal flaw, his ambition, Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth has a choice, and that, sadly, he makes the wrong choices. He wields the dagger and does not heed his conscience. Macbeth knows that his uncontrollable ambition is fuelling his evil desires.  Because of his “overleaping” ambition he places too much trust in the witches (he states that they have “earnest of success” and refers to the prophecies as “ perfectest report”) Sensing his ambition, the witches are able to play their “hurly burly” and create moral confusion. Also, before he greets Lady Macbeth, Macbeth reveals his capacity for deception owing to the fact that King Duncan did not appoint him as successor. He states, “let not light see my deep and dark desires.”  As a result, the prophecies set in train the nightmarish sequence of events.  Unfortunately, Macbeth does not have the strength of mind like Banquo to follow his conscience.  He is swayed by Lady Macbeth’s notion of “manly” strength and a promise.

Terry and choices:  loyalty to Charley and loyalty to the “mob”

Terry wants to make his own decisions, and follow his conscience. This involves testifying at the Commission which sets him up in direct conflict with the mob and with Charlie. Terry’s dilemma is that he knows there will be serious consequences if Charlie does not convince him to change his decision.   Terry believes that early in life Charlie set him up for failure when he gave in to the demands of the mob and made Terry lose a key fight. Terry states, “you should have looked after me a little.” Terry expresses his regrets. He states, “I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum. Which is what I am”.

Encouraged by Father Barry, he pursues his principles.  When Terry said that if he “spilled”, his “life ain’t worth a nickel”, Father Barry immediately replied, “And how much is your soul if you don’t”. Father  Barry encourages him to rid himself of the “monkey on his back”, Terry makes the important decision to “rat”.   Charlie pays a high price. Charlie states, “I will tell him (Johnny Friendly) that I couldn’t find you… ten to one he won’t believe me.”

Edie and Banquo

Edie challenges Terry to examine his conscience. Her moral simplicity and courageous pursuit of the truth shame Terry into action. She is pervaded by a sense of injustice and constantly tells Terry that “things are so wrong”. She forces him to think about the ethical consequences of his actions and the interconnectedness of human nature. When asked whose side Terry was with, he naively replied “Me? I’m with me – Terry”, which she dismisses as an impossible narcissistic and selfish position. She impresses upon him that “everyone is a part of everybody else”. Her angelic soul helps Terry reclaim his conscience, as her modesty and truthfulness open up new horizons, but he is troubled by her demands. He tells her to return to the seminary because she is “driving me and you nuts”.

Shakespeare constructs parallel characters such as Banquo and Macbeth who are linked through the witches’ prophecies. Significantly the witches greet both the kinsmen on the heath.  Macbeth appears to become overly engrossed in the witches and interprets their prophecies as a sign of destiny. Contrastingly, Banquo questions the witches; he recognises their tendency towards deception and thereby impugns (call into question/criticise) Macbeth’s response.  (Include quotes). He implies that he is too quick to place his trust in unworthy sources. Shakespeare therefore opens up a space of free will, but also highlights the debilitating impact of Macbeth’s ambition.

The costs; death; Charley’s death : sacrifices for power 

Kazan depicts Charley in a heroic and symbolic way by sacrificing himself for his brother. The director uses Charley’s shady past and upbringing to show that Charley is immoral and took advantage of his brother’s talent as a boxer to ingratiate himself with the mob. Charley realises that his duty to the mob caused him to neglect his responsibility to his brother and he makes the ultimate sacrifice. The butcher’s hook becomes a symbol of the price he has to pay to save Terry. Depicted as a Christ like figure, Kazan shows that redemption, even for the antagonist is possible. Kazan’s use of the critical car scene depicted the passing on of Charley’s remaining life to Terry and his ethical anguish through the passing of the gun. Charley’s brave stance was planned by Kazan to illustrate the moral conflict and how it was overcome by Charley ‘the Gent” Malloy.

Compare Charley’s demise with Macbeth’s death: complete futility

After the death of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth reflects upon the futility of life and upon the fact that time will always triumph.  Life is metaphorically referred to as a “brief candle” and as a “walking shadow”.  He states that she “should have died hereafter” referring to the fact that death is inevitable.  Macbeth acknowledges the pain and suffering of life that is just a brief interlude in an endless stretch of eternity. The person is compared to an actor who “struts and frets his hour upon the stage”. The repetition of “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” highlights the relentlessness of life and the “dusty death” that reduces the individual to insignificance.  Macbeth does not refer to the full consequences of his evil deed, but concentrates on the mockery of life that becomes like a tale “told by an idiot”. He thinks that it signifies “nothing”, which is to annul one’s deeds – extinguished by a mere breath: “out, out  brief candle”.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — Macbeth Guilt

Essays on Macbeth Guilt

The moral of guilt in macbeth, the theme of guilt in william shakespeare’s tragedy of macbeth, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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The Role of Guilt in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Macbeth by william shakespeare: an impact of guilt on a person, analysis of how shakespeare presents guilt in the play "macbeth", a theme of guilt in shakespeare's tragedy macbeth, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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The Effects of Guilt on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Macbeth’s character and his guilt, analysis of shakespeare's use of imagery in macbeth, depiction of guilt and madness of lady macbeth in shakespeare’s play, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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A Theme of Ambition in Macbeth and of Mice and Men

Guilt in shakespeare's "macbeth" and gilman's "the yellow wallpaper", guilt and the symbolism of hands in macbeth, guilt is macbeth's fate, guilt and mental deterioration of macbeth, ambition and guilt in shakespeare’s macbeth, tragic flaws of macbeth in shakespeare’s play, guilt and madness in the tell-tale heart and macbeth, insecurities, ambition, and guilt as the causes of macbeth's downfall.

William Shakespeare

The theme of guilt in Shakespeare's Macbeth is a prominent and complex element that permeates the entire play. Macbeth, driven by his ambition and the prophecies of the witches, commits regicide and descends into a spiral of guilt and paranoia. The theme of guilt is intricately woven throughout the play, as Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth grapple with their conscience and the consequences of their actions. Macbeth's guilt is portrayed through his vivid hallucinations, where he sees a bloody dagger and the ghost of Banquo, both haunting reminders of his crimes. Lady Macbeth, initially a catalyst for Macbeth's actions, also suffers from overwhelming guilt and descends into madness, attempting to wash away the metaphorical bloodstains that taint their hands. The theme of guilt in Macbeth highlights the moral decay and psychological torment experienced by the characters. It explores the consequences of unchecked ambition and the corrosive effects of guilt on the human psyche. Shakespeare masterfully delves into the complexities of guilt, showcasing its power to consume and torment those who succumb to their darkest desires.

The theme of guilt in Shakespeare's Macbeth is a captivating and significant topic to explore in an essay due to its profound impact on the characters and the overall narrative. Guilt serves as a driving force behind Macbeth's tragic downfall and plays a pivotal role in shaping the events of the play. Analyzing the theme of guilt allows us to delve into the complex psychology of the characters, their moral dilemmas, and the consequences of their actions. By examining the theme of guilt, we gain insights into Macbeth's internal struggle as he grapples with the weight of his crimes. We witness the transformation of Lady Macbeth from a remorseless instigator to a tormented soul consumed by guilt. Moreover, the theme of guilt provides a deeper understanding of the moral implications and ethical dilemmas presented in the play. Exploring the theme of guilt in Macbeth also enables us to reflect on universal human experiences. Guilt is a powerful emotion that resonates with audiences, as it raises profound questions about the nature of morality, conscience, and the human capacity for redemption. Through an essay on this theme, readers can contemplate the consequences of unchecked ambition, the fragility of the human psyche, and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's insights into human nature.

1. Churchill, C. J. (2015). “Is That All There Is?”: Time, Guilt, and Melancholia in Sleep No More and Macbeth. International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, 12(2), 161-174. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aps.1386) 2. Byles, J. M. (1982). Macbeth: Imagery of Destruction. American Imago, 39(2), 149-164. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/26303759) 3. Taylor, G. (1996). Guilt and remorse. The emotions: Social, cultural and biological dimensions, 57-73. (https://www.torrossa.com/en/resources/an/4913592#page=70) 4. Gámez, E., Díaz, J. M., & Marrero, H. (2011). The uncertain universality of the Macbeth effect with a Spanish sample. The Spanish journal of psychology, 14(1), 156-162. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/spanish-journal-of-psychology/article/abs/uncertain-universality-of-the-macbeth-effect-with-a-spanish-sample/13EE3C31603D4851E03180FE72ED410E) 5. Shanley, J. L. (1961). Macbeth: The Tragedy of Evil. College English, 22(5), 305-311. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/373470) 6. Osborne, T. (2014). Desperate equilibrium: on guilt, law and rationality. Economy and Society, 43(1), 40-54. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03085147.2013.868699) 7. Jackson, J. (2010). The Symmetry of Evil: An Examination of Guilt and Trust in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. (https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/undergraduateresearch/52966/items/1.0074554) 8. Hamilton, C. (2014). Guilt and original sin. Interdisciplinary Literary Studies, 16(2), 307-325. (https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/psup/ils/article-abstract/16/2/307/199018/Guilt-and-Original-Sin) 9. Tambling, J. (2018). Freud and guilt. In Literature and psychoanalysis (pp. 45-64). Manchester University Press. (https://www.manchesterhive.com/view/9781526135131/9781526135131.00007.xml)

Relevant topics

• Romeo and Juliet
• Macbeth Ambition
• A Streetcar Named Desire
• Hamlet Madness
• Merchant of Venice

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