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Analytical Essay And Loyalty In Lady Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Decent Essays

The identical language of Macbeth and his wife demonstrates that all humans are capable of compassion; therefore, one cannot categorize an individual as entirely bad. The start of the play introduces Macbeth as a hero when the king promotes him to the position of Thane. This establishes him as a stereotypical good guy, as he displays qualities of bravery and loyalty. Even once Lady Macbeth has bullied him into murdering his king so that he may inherit the throne, Macbeth clings to his decency. He vocalizes his overwhelming feelings of guilt as he laments,
What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes.
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine. (2.2.77-80) …show more content…

In contrast, he also uses a metaphor to compare the human face to a mask, expressing how external courtesy must hide internal motives. As he discusses a disconnect between the body, Macbeth suggests the use of charm in order to disguise hatred. By metaphorically connecting flattery to a stream, he shows how polite behavior is insubstantial and transparent. This emphasizes how outward behavior is merely an illusory disguise. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s commands rely on metaphors and similes to prove a disconnect between external composure and internal intentions. Because the play illustrates Macbeth as the “good guy,” and Lady Macbeth as the “bad guy,” the similarities in their messages prove a universal truth. It demonstrates how humans often do not match the outward archetype that they portray, but instead have many levels of personality and motives. Thus, no man can fit into the category of good or bad because humans are multifaceted. Although one might appear to be evil or innocent, this is simply an outward display that does not express inward feelings. The parallel between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s instructions disprove the accuracy of labels by showing how external appearances mask internal

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