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Macbeth Character Analysis

Decent Essays

Macbeth
Characterization is a vital component of a text. How does Shakespeare utilise character traits to demonstrate characters as either heroes or villains?

Macbeth is a play about a man who is told three prophecies about his future and he decides to make sure they come true quicker, by killing his friends, but things don’t turn out well. Shakespeare uses character traits and characterisation to demonstrate characters as either heroes or villains. Macbeth is characterized as ambitious, power hungry, cruel and vicious to represent him as the villain in the play. Macduff is characterized as brave, loyal and intelligent to represent him as the hero. Therefore, shakespeare demonstrates characters as either heroes or villains through the …show more content…

A key scene that shows Macbeth's viciousness, is in Act 4, Scene 1 when Macbeth decides this plan. Shakespeare uses dramatic technique in this scene to help the audience understand Macbeth’s cruelty towards Macduff and create dramatic irony to add suspense to the play and foreshadow upcoming events. This is seen in the quote,”The castle of Macduff I will surprise seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword his wife, his babes and all unfortunate souls,” This aside shows Macbeth’s instant decisions, thus showing his vicious and cruel personality.

In contrast, Shakespeare presents Macduff as a brave and loyal hero. He is a Thane of Scotland who turns on Macbeth to replace him with the rightful king. After hearing his wife’s death he becomes brave by not letting it bother him. A key scene that shows this is in Act 4 Scene 3 when Macduff shows his bravery. Shakespeare uses characterisation to convey how Macduff maintains his composure and desire to destroy Macbeth after hearing the bad news. This is seen in the quote,”Front to front, bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself,” Another scene in 4:3 shows Macduff proving his loyalty to Malcolm. Shakespeare uses truncated sentences to create tension and to make a point that Malcolm needs to save Scotland. This is seen in the quote, “Fit to govern? No, not to live. O nation miserable!” These quotes highlight Macduff’s heroic actions, thus showing bravery and loyalty.

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