William Shakespeare 's Macbeth And Othello

The tragic play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, amplifies the destructive psychological and political consequences when immoral decisions are chosen to fulfill the strong desire for power. Shakespeare emphasizes the tragedy of the play through the themes of manipulation, betrayal, and the desire for power. He also uses recurring motifs and symbols, such as hallucinations, lack of sleep, and nature, to help develop the plot of the play.

Authors and playwrights are often influenced by the constantly evolving society and culture around them. William Shakespeare is no exception. Being born during the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare grew up during the pinnacle of the English Renaissance and was exposed to the heightened flourish of new types of English art, literature, music, and theatre. Under Elizabeth I, English theatre became oriented towards the upper classes despite all the social classes saw the same play, they even included costume color-coding that reflected the social class of the characters. Shakespeare’s theatrical style developed during this era and when King James I became king, his style was again greatly influenced. Some of Shakespeare’s most prominent plays were written during this time and they remain well known in the literary community. In particular, his play Macbeth is widely discussed because it brings a wide array of questions with it including: What is Shakespeare trying to say about the political climate during his time and why? By reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth with a New Historicism criticism, the question can be explored and answered.

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most dramatic tragedies which made it necessary for Shakespeare to create tension and suspense throughout the play. The play was written during the reign of King James 1st, and because of this the themes of the play have a striking resemblance to the period. Common beliefs in the 1600s are upheld throughout, such as witchcraft; King James felt threatened by ‘witches’ and this resulted in unmerciful killing of many women. This play consistently features murder, influenced by four women: Macbeth’s own wife, Lady Macbeth, and three witches who will tell prophecies that eventually turn both Macbeths mad.

2. Setting: Macbeth took place during the eleventh century (The Middle Ages) (“SparkNotes”), briefly in England, but mainly in Scotland. The social environment valued friendship among free, white,, and relatively equal men. There was a significant amount of religious conflict, women were held as inferior to men, and the monarch was an important figurehead. The atmosphere of the book is quite dark. For the most part, Macbeth’s ambition terrifies himself because he fears the consequences of his evil deeds. Therefore, this tragic play has a sinister atmosphere of despair. Macbeth is haunting and ominous, significant in the way it portrays Macbeth as a crazed lunatic with a dangerous ambition. Shakespeare wrote the play for his new patron, James VI of Scotland, honoring him through Banquo. The play still holds significance today as it teaches people to beware of dark power and extreme ambition.

‘Macbeth’ a Scottish play known as one of Shakespeare’s best plays was written in 1611 by William Shakespeare, during that time King James the 1st was the king of Scotland, the Jacobean times was a time where people had a fascination with witches and witchcraft, ‘Daemonolgie’ was a book written by King James the 1st himself, this was about ways to spot a witch, which intrigued people. Since ‘Macbeth’ has a Scottish theme Shakespeare may have written this play to please King James since there is references to Banquo which is a direct descendant of King James, also it is said that Banquo wasn’t a very nice man but Shakespeare presents him as very loyal and kind person

Today I will be analysing and comparing one of the greatest literatures of all time produced by William Shakespeare. Macbeth, was first performed in 1606. This play details a Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prediction from a trio of witches that believes in the future he will become the king of Scotland. Disbursed by political ambition and urged to action by his wife, Grouch, Macbeth murders king Duncan and takes over the throne himself. Yet, in return Macbeth then suffers from liability and paranoia. Copious amounts of adaptations have been made to modernise the 16th Century play. Rupert Goold’s adaptation was broadcasted in 2010 on BBC Four to suit the modern spectators and adapt the

The tragedy of Macbeth, “darker and more cynical” (BBC-Higher Bitesize English -Background: Revision 1), written during the Jacobean period, reflected the insecurities of the time for the many prosecutions made by James. The idea of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's conspiracy is said to be inspired from the Gunpowder Plot when "Guy Fawkes and his men tried to blow up James and his parliament in 1605" (BBC-Higher Bitesize English -Background: Revision 2). This plot resulted in strict penalties on Roman Catholics and therefore created a feeling of terror among the population. It is also said that Shakespeare included Banquo in Macbeth in honor of the Stuarts:

Among the most influential pieces of British literature in the 15th century stands Shakespeare’s Macbeth. During the 15th century in England, a new era was upon the country as a whole. Macbeth reflects one very unique idea in England at the time known as equivocation. The Gunpowder plot was also directly alluded to in Macbeth several times. The play as a whole was written to please King James, and is even thought by some as a way for Shakespeare himself to avoid suspicion by those investigating The Gunpowder Plot.

William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Macbeth is a Play that was believed to be written for king James due to his interest in witchcraft.  His biggest fear was being assassinated, So James felt with the play because he had survived multiple assassination attempts on his life for his position. The Tragedy of Macbeth is mainly focused on the theme that the greed for power can transform an individual to show their inner monstrous capabilities and partake into unthinkable inhumane activities.

Written in 1606 for King James I of England, Macbeth, a tragic play by William Shakespeare, introduces a new perspective on a series of events that took place in history through its modified plot (Marotous, 2011). The protagonist, Macbeth, portrayed initially as a devoted kinsman grows to become malicious following the revelation of the prophecies. Fueled by the objective of acquiring the throne, he assassinates the monarch of Scotland, thereby disrupting the Great Chain of Being (Marotous, 2011). As Macbeth’s guilt gnaws at his conscious mind, coupled with his false sense of security, he is ultimately brought to his downfall as a sovereign. Alongside, Macbeth’s pursuit of acquiring and maintaining his identity as king, Shakespeare uses three elements of fiction, specifically, characters, literary devices and, the plot, to reveal the theme of ambition.

William Shakespeare was one of the greatest authors in history. Shakespeare is a famous author known for his tragedies. Macbeth is a play loosely written about historical people. The play Macbeth was written between 1603 and 1606. Historical Macbeth who the play was written about, lived from 1005-1057. Shakespeare refers to “ If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.” Macbeth is saying whatever happens will happen. If fate wants Macbeth to be king, no matter what he does, he will become king. Shakespeare’s Macbeth and historical Macbeth have very little similarities. Shakespeare often took real events and used them as inspiration to write his plays. Being that theater is more dramatic than it actually is, he often changed

Ancient Greeks believed that a tragic hero must be admirable but flawed, someone the audience can sympathize with, and someone capable of good and evil. The main character must also have a doctrine of free will, in which they are able to redeem themselves, but they continue to fall freely in a downward spiral from a position of superiority. The audience must also be able to see themselves acting in the same way, and the protagonist’s suffering must be greater than their offense. Macbeth is the true tragic hero, because he displays all of the qualities of a tragic hero, and causes himself to fall down from his position as king. Othello is a weak example of a tragic hero, because Iago causes his fall, not his own actions.

A tragedy is a story which is centered on a character who does something terrible, and as they realize what they have done, the world around them crumbles. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is about how Macbeth and Banquo are met by three witches bearing prophetic greetings. Macbeth is told that he will become king. The rest of the play follows Macbeth into the depths of darkness as he seeks the crown not caring about the consequences. Antigone, by Sophocles, is a Greek tragedy about Antigone and how she tries to follow the will of the gods, even if it means going against the laws of the country. Both of these plays may be tragedies, but I believe that ‘Antigone’ is the more tragic of the two plays, as there is a tragic hero who has a fatal flaw and who repents for their action.

What does it take to be a good king? Are certain traits necessary to rule prosperously? Every successful king is unique, but they all have one thing in common, and that is their benevolent characteristics. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Malcolm proves that he would be an exceptional king by exemplifying his loyalty to Scotland, superb judge of character, his cleverness, and his sympathy.

As of the beginning, the three witches provided the courageous Scottish general a prophecy that he will become King of Scotland. From what the witches prophesy, and Lady Macbeth’s encouragement provoked his ambition thoughts and spurred him into fulfilling his ambition. Written in the year 1606, early in the reign of James I, Shakespeare wrote this play for audiences to understand the political context which was fundamental to the core theme of the play, which is unquestionably tragedy. Throughout the play, Shakespeare demonstrates the theme of tragedy through portraying the fall of Macbeth. The playwright successfully leads his audience through the downfall of this character by evoking a sympathetic response in his audiences as the rise and fall of the tragic character progresses throughout the play.