Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are very attached to the “atmosphere which surrounds them” (243). This allows them to become “sublime”, awe inspiring characters that make Macbeth into one of the four great tragedies. These two characters are very similar due to their shared “passion of ambition” (243). Even though they are tragic, they are at the same time “grand” (243). Although Lady Macbeth’s character may seem to overshadow her husband in the beginning of the play, Macbeth becomes an unmistakably more “complex” character as the play progresses. His honesty, love, and courage at the beginning make us wary to see him as a cruel villain, but we find it difficult to pity him as well. He transforms into a murderous monster that is “devoid” of pity (244). His imagination has both “strength” and “limits” that influence his decisions (and thus his character) (245). As this imagination runs ramped, Macbeth becomes more and more paranoid. This paranoia contributes to his violent, guilt-written actions that lead up to his death. Lady Macbeth is influenced by guilt as well. Blood from King Duncan “stains” her hands as a constant reminder of her deeds. She aided in bringing a tragic death to Duncan, thus, memories of him will lead to her own tragic death.
A.C Bradley Criticism February 12, 2009
A.C. Bradley, a critic of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, writes that it is the last of the four “great tragedies” that also includes Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear (237). It is also an excellent representation of Shakespeare’s “final style” of writing that he spent a lifetime perfecting (237). Shakespeare also branches out from “purely human agencies” and includes witches, ghosts, and omens. It is the addition of these supernatural facets in combination with the impeccable writing style that make Macbeth truly “sublime” (237). The diction also assists in creating certain detailed settings that create a “dark”, “murky” tone that is full of “horror” (238). Even though Macbeth is much shorter than the other three great tragedies, it moves at a very accelerated, intense pace that it “leaves an impression not of brevity but of speed” (238). It is Shakespeare’s ability to make brevity into something “tremendous” that makes him such a noted playwright (238). The overall tone of each one of Shakespeare’s tragedies is unique and “perceptible”, but also awe inspiring and “difficult to describe” (138). The “small touches” make the tragedy what it is, and create the overall tone (138). Although Macbeth may seem dim and gloomy, it is actually quite colorful compared to other tragedies by Shakespeare such as King Lear. The imagery, diction, and feelings of “frenzy” all contribute to the brighter tone, even though the subject is melancholy and grave (241).
Pgs. 131-148… everything you will ever need to know about witchcraft. February 9, 2009
Witchcraft:
Reginald Scot wrote that witches were real only through the ignorance and imagination of man. During this time, society as a whole would seek out an explanation or scapegoat for any “adversity, grief, sickness, loss of children, corn, cattle, or liberty happen unto them” (131). Thus, they created the idea of “witchcraft”. Scot points out that witches could not have existed since people were not astonished when Christ “by miracle commanded both seas and winds” (133). Should not have Jesus been feared and burned for witchcraft if he could do such things? The gift of prophecy is a “gift of God” that cannot exist in our world. Therefore, the witches of the renaissance were created simply for convenience and ignorance’s sake. The kind of witchcraft that hundreds of women were either punished or praised for never really existed.
News from Scotland:
King James recounted the stories of several witches in his letter News from Scotland. He reaffirms the reader that he is a believer in a God with “omnipotent power”, but also describes several stories of “witches” who were influenced by the devil (138). He recalls how several women were tortured with “pilliwinks on the fingers” until they confessed that all of their actions were done “by the wicked allurements and enticements of the Devil” and that they were accomplished using “witchcraft” (139). Due to these confessions, King James suggests that the “King’s Majesty would not hazard himself in the presence of such notorious witches”.
Daemonology:
King James wrote this dialogue in response to Reginald Scot. Its goal is to convince unbelievers in the existence of witchcraft. Through this dialogue he conveys the message that a witch’s goal is to get revenge, gain worldly riches, hurt men, satisfy their cruel minds, or satisfy their greedy desire for men. He then goes to say that they can attain these things in two different ways: either through their own actions, or through the actions of men that were originally influenced by the witch (like in Macbeth’s case). However, despite the reason, the actions of each witch occur through Satan. Thus, witches are considered to be possessed by demons.
Controversy and Misunderstanding: Creating the Tragedy February 2, 2009
As a strong believer in predestination and a leader in the protestant reformation, Martin Luther heavily preached that free will “exists in name only” and enables us to “grow worse in sinning” (115; 116). Luther quotes several scripture passages to emphasize his point. One such passage is proverbs 16:1 in which “it is man’s part to prepare his heart, but the Lord’s to govern his tongue” (118). This implies that we, as humans, have no control over our “tongue”. However, much more can be derived from further analysis of this very same passage. Since it is “man’s part to prepare his heart”, man must have a choice, and this free will, to choose how and for what to prepare his heart. Luther claims that “Satan works in teaching” the error of free will that was commonly believed by “ignorant and crude minds”, and thus he preached predestination and fate (112).
In response to Martin Luther, Erasmus composed a defense of free will in which he cites inarguable evidence towards the existence of free will. He states that “nearly the whole of scripture speaks of nothing but conversion, endeavor and striving to improve” (123). In order for a conversion or improvement to take place, a free choice must be made. This is what makes them such an accomplishment both in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the converted. Our choice to turn towards or away from God is what leads to the gift of eternal salvation. God continuously presents us with choices, and makes promises “conditionally”. What would be the point of conditionality if God already knew what we are fated to do? What would be the point of presenting us with choices if there really was no choice at all? Passage after passage states that “if” we do one thing, then something specific will happen. This implies that we have a choice to do or not to do God’s wishes.
The controversy over free will relates to Macbeth because he is fated to become king, and there is nothing that he can do (no choice that he can make) that will make it un-true. The three witches informed Macbeth that he will be king, thus he believes that it must be true. Instead of following his gut instinct to forgo his plan to kill King Duncan, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth jointly decide that the murder is necessary because of fate. Ultimately, Macbeth had a choice. He could kill the king and become king himself, or stay strong as a hero of his country, and loyal servant to his king. Despite what the witch sisters prophesized, Macbeth really did have a choice. However, it is his and Lady Macbeth’s blind belief in fate that leads them to the unimaginable: the murder of a friend and ruler. This is what makes the story of Macbeth a true tragedy and catharsis from the reader.
