William Shakespeare was truly the best of the best authors in the history of man. He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets in the 16th century, which are still extremely popular in modern times. His brilliant genius and talent often intertwine morality with wit and humor in his plays. Often students study his works to improve their literary skills and gain an understanding of morality outside of the Bible in an entertaining way. One of his most notable plays, The Tragedy of Macbeth, is about a king who murders to gain power and satisfy his lust until he loses everything: his throne, wife, and conscience. It shows a gradual progress towards evil throughout his life, appalling the reader with the horrors of the corruption of men. He appeared to be
…show more content…
He bravely defeated the king’s enemies in war although he was greatly outnumbered. On his way back three witches salute him. They tell him he will become the thane of two prominent cities. Not only that, he will become king in the future. Finally the witches tell him that Banquo’s sons will become kings after him. Then the three witches disappear. Macbeth disregards this until, upon meeting the king, learns that the king has promoted him to the position of Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. The king decides to visit Macbeth’s home for a banquet. Although Macbeth originally does not want to murder the king, his wife convinces him to do so. This shows the gradual weakening of Macbeth’s conscience. That night he murders the king and frames it upon the king’s sons. The king’s sons flee, upon which Macbeth now becomes king. He remembers what the witches told him, how Banquo’s sons will take his throne from him. He hardens his heart and refuses to listen to his conscience, hiring three thugs to murder Banquo and his son as well. Unfortunately for Macbeth, the son escapes. When Banquo’s ghost appears at Macbeth’s next banquet, Shakespeare shows that one cannot escape his conscience. He can weaken it as Macbeth does, but he cannot escape it. Macbeth will always remember the evil that he does for the rest of his life. Towards the end of the play, …show more content…
The theme that “Things are not as they seem” appears in many of his plays. For example, in Much Ado About Nothing, deception and plotting fills the play. Claudio is tricked into thinking that Hero is unfaithful when she was innocent, and Benedick was tricked into loving Beatrice when they would never have gotten married otherwise. In Measure for Measure the duke views examples of injustice in his city dressed up as a priest. Angelo, who took the duke’s position temporarily, pretends to love justice when he is actually an evil scoundrel. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, before the witches greet Macbeth, they say, “Foul is Fair and Fair is Foul.” [Act 1 Scene 1] Foul represents Banquo. Banquo does not appear to be as brave as Macbeth, but inside he is a better man. He does not betray his king, but serves faithfully, and he does not lust for power. Macbeth on the other hand, appears to be good outwardly, but he is evil and corrupt inside himself. Shakespeare uses this to show that men are not what they seem on the
He bravely defeated the king’s enemies in war although he was greatly outnumbered. On his way back three witches salute him. They tell him he will become the thane of two prominent cities. Not only that, he will become king in the future. Finally the witches tell him that Banquo’s sons will become kings after him. Then the three witches disappear. Macbeth disregards this until, upon meeting the king, learns that the king has promoted him to the position of Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. The king decides to visit Macbeth’s home for a banquet. Although Macbeth originally does not want to murder the king, his wife convinces him to do so. This shows the gradual weakening of Macbeth’s conscience. That night he murders the king and frames it upon the king’s sons. The king’s sons flee, upon which Macbeth now becomes king. He remembers what the witches told him, how Banquo’s sons will take his throne from him. He hardens his heart and refuses to listen to his conscience, hiring three thugs to murder Banquo and his son as well. Unfortunately for Macbeth, the son escapes. When Banquo’s ghost appears at Macbeth’s next banquet, Shakespeare shows that one cannot escape his conscience. He can weaken it as Macbeth does, but he cannot escape it. Macbeth will always remember the evil that he does for the rest of his life. Towards the end of the play, …show more content…
The theme that “Things are not as they seem” appears in many of his plays. For example, in Much Ado About Nothing, deception and plotting fills the play. Claudio is tricked into thinking that Hero is unfaithful when she was innocent, and Benedick was tricked into loving Beatrice when they would never have gotten married otherwise. In Measure for Measure the duke views examples of injustice in his city dressed up as a priest. Angelo, who took the duke’s position temporarily, pretends to love justice when he is actually an evil scoundrel. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, before the witches greet Macbeth, they say, “Foul is Fair and Fair is Foul.” [Act 1 Scene 1] Foul represents Banquo. Banquo does not appear to be as brave as Macbeth, but inside he is a better man. He does not betray his king, but serves faithfully, and he does not lust for power. Macbeth on the other hand, appears to be good outwardly, but he is evil and corrupt inside himself. Shakespeare uses this to show that men are not what they seem on the