preview

Three Messages In William Shakespeare's Macbeth Act IV Scene II

Good Essays

When Evil Takes Over
(A discussion on the importance, or three messages, of Macbeth Act IV Scene II) How do we know? William Shakespeare writes the play Macbeth,his reasons for doing so are unknown but there are many speculations. He may have written the play for enjoyment, but most likely to make money. The best way to ensure a steady income was to be in good standing with the king. At the time this was King James the first, who was rumored to be descended from Banquo. At first Macbeth is heroic but proceeds down a dark path of destruction. He becomes king by killing Duncan, the previous king. Banquo is his best friend and, arguably, the most honorable man in the play. Shakespeare plays a game to please the king with altered history to involve the king and his ancestors. Macbeth was a king in history but unlike the play, “Macbeth...also had a claim to the throne through his mother.”(Johnson) The king watches and enjoys Macbeth, Shakespeare then has no more concerns about money. Macbeth Act IV Scene II is a profound piece of literature, that reveals Shakespeare's genius. In Macbeth Act IV Scene II three messages are revealed, through the irony present, the murder of innocence, and the concept of dynamics between honest and traitorous men. Irony is present throughout the second scene of Macbeth Act two. The scene begins with Lady Macduff wondering why Macduff left to England. She proceeds to call him a traitor saying, “Our fears do make us traitors.” (line 4 pg. 385) She

Get Access