Fenghua Yang (Brandon)
Mr. Asher
AP Lit Per 4
Macbeth Essay
In Macbeth, William Shakespeare carefully characterizes both Macbeth and his friend Banquo through their reactions and comments. He uses these two tactics to drive the action forward and to clarify the perception that one’s fate majorly results from one’s own actions.
In Act 1 scene 3, when Macbeth is first told that he is to be king in the future, he is immediately absorbed by thoughts. Were he really loyal to king Duncan, he would be angry at the witches in the first place. Then he asks the witches to say more and is pity when the witches leave, saying “[w]ould they had stayed”. All of these reactions and comments reveal that not only he is ambitious to be king at this very moment, but he had that ambition even before those witches appear as well! This is how Shakespeare show’s Macbeth’s ambition through his reactions.
Shakespeare also depicts Macbeth’s weakness in later scenes. When Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to kill Duncan, he vacillates and says that the king has just honored him. He is obviously finding excuses because of his mental fight over morality. He also asks what if he fails. These comments show that even though Macbeth has a huge desire to be king, he lacks the mental strength to back him up. Shakespeare makes it clear that it is Macbeth’s ambition that drives him to steal the throne, and it is his weakness in character that makes him fall. These two aspects of Macbeth fully reveal the perception that one’s fate is made by oneself.
In contrast, Banquo is much wiser. Banquo also has ambitions, but he is smart enough to know that he should do what is right. When the witches hail to Macbeth, Banquo also asks them to say some thing to him. This indicates that Banquo also expect some fortunes. Shakespeare reveals Banquo’s ambition through this reaction.
Nevertheless, Banquo knows how to restrain his words and actions when witches say that his children will be kings. He does not show too much of his feelings and is not deeply absorbed by thoughts. Also, when Macbeth is amazed by the fulfillment of the “thane of Cawdor” prediction, Banquo calmly reminds Macbeth that the evils may be true in small things in order to trap them in serious matters. Later, when Macbeth tells Banquo to be on his side, Banquo answers cleverly by saying yes, but under the condition that he does not loses his honor and loyalty to king Duncan. Banquo’s wisdom makes Macbeth feel unsafe. This drives Macbeth to murder Banquo and his son. As wise and calm a man as he usually is, Banquo commands his son to escape and revenge later. This also shows Banquo’s wisdom.
Through Macbeth’s and Banquo’s reactions and comments, Shakespeare clearly shows the perception that one creates and decides his own fate. Some may argue that Macbeth is seduced by the witches. It is unreasonable because from Macbeth’s reactions we can tell that he has that kind of ambition even before. By similar ways of characterization, Shakespeare makes contrasts between Macbeth and Banquo, and drives their actions through his logical descriptions.
Mr. Asher
AP Lit Per 4
Macbeth Essay
In Macbeth, William Shakespeare carefully characterizes both Macbeth and his friend Banquo through their reactions and comments. He uses these two tactics to drive the action forward and to clarify the perception that one’s fate majorly results from one’s own actions.
In Act 1 scene 3, when Macbeth is first told that he is to be king in the future, he is immediately absorbed by thoughts. Were he really loyal to king Duncan, he would be angry at the witches in the first place. Then he asks the witches to say more and is pity when the witches leave, saying “[w]ould they had stayed”. All of these reactions and comments reveal that not only he is ambitious to be king at this very moment, but he had that ambition even before those witches appear as well! This is how Shakespeare show’s Macbeth’s ambition through his reactions.
Shakespeare also depicts Macbeth’s weakness in later scenes. When Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to kill Duncan, he vacillates and says that the king has just honored him. He is obviously finding excuses because of his mental fight over morality. He also asks what if he fails. These comments show that even though Macbeth has a huge desire to be king, he lacks the mental strength to back him up. Shakespeare makes it clear that it is Macbeth’s ambition that drives him to steal the throne, and it is his weakness in character that makes him fall. These two aspects of Macbeth fully reveal the perception that one’s fate is made by oneself.
In contrast, Banquo is much wiser. Banquo also has ambitions, but he is smart enough to know that he should do what is right. When the witches hail to Macbeth, Banquo also asks them to say some thing to him. This indicates that Banquo also expect some fortunes. Shakespeare reveals Banquo’s ambition through this reaction.
Nevertheless, Banquo knows how to restrain his words and actions when witches say that his children will be kings. He does not show too much of his feelings and is not deeply absorbed by thoughts. Also, when Macbeth is amazed by the fulfillment of the “thane of Cawdor” prediction, Banquo calmly reminds Macbeth that the evils may be true in small things in order to trap them in serious matters. Later, when Macbeth tells Banquo to be on his side, Banquo answers cleverly by saying yes, but under the condition that he does not loses his honor and loyalty to king Duncan. Banquo’s wisdom makes Macbeth feel unsafe. This drives Macbeth to murder Banquo and his son. As wise and calm a man as he usually is, Banquo commands his son to escape and revenge later. This also shows Banquo’s wisdom.
Through Macbeth’s and Banquo’s reactions and comments, Shakespeare clearly shows the perception that one creates and decides his own fate. Some may argue that Macbeth is seduced by the witches. It is unreasonable because from Macbeth’s reactions we can tell that he has that kind of ambition even before. By similar ways of characterization, Shakespeare makes contrasts between Macbeth and Banquo, and drives their actions through his logical descriptions.
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