Compare the ways in which disturbed characters are presented in Macbeth and a selection of poetry by Carol Ann Duffy
Compare the ways in which disturbed characters are presented in Macbeth and a selection of poetry by Carol Ann Duffy/ Pre 1914 poems.
In Macbeth, Salome, Havisham and Stealing, there are a variety of ways in which disturbed characters are presented through both language, structure and context. In this essay, I will convey the various ways in which disturbed characters are shown throughout the written pieces such as violence, death and loneliness.
The use of imagery helps to convey how the characters are disturbed in Macbeth. An example of this is the quote from Act 1, Scene 5 where Lady Macbeth states that “The raven himself is hoarse/ That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/ Under my battlements." It was believed in this time that ravens were bad omens and symbolised death and plague. This could link to Lady Macbeth being disturbed as the plague could be a metaphor for the sinister thoughts she conjured up. Also, the mere fact that she could come up with such ideas portrays her as disturbed to the audience as during this period of time women were seen as psychologically and physically fragile and dainty. This would have been seen as strange and uncouth for a lady to use such horrific language.
Also, the raven flying could represent her disturbed ideas flourishing due to her “vaulting ambition” but also her downfall as the raven lands due to the lack of consideration and thought into her and her husband’s plans. Alternatively, the ‘hoarse’ sound produced by the bird could be seen as the foretelling of King Duncan’s death. This could also be seen as disturbed as it was thought to be against the will of God to commit such a heinous crime against the ruler of your country.
The fact that the raven’s cry is ‘hoarse’ shows that it has croaked so much that its voice is gone, could signify Lady Macbeth’s deep need to have power fading away as she gets more and more disturbed due to overwhelming experiences which leave her as a shadow of who she once was.
Lady
In Macbeth, Salome, Havisham and Stealing, there are a variety of ways in which disturbed characters are presented through both language, structure and context. In this essay, I will convey the various ways in which disturbed characters are shown throughout the written pieces such as violence, death and loneliness.
The use of imagery helps to convey how the characters are disturbed in Macbeth. An example of this is the quote from Act 1, Scene 5 where Lady Macbeth states that “The raven himself is hoarse/ That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/ Under my battlements." It was believed in this time that ravens were bad omens and symbolised death and plague. This could link to Lady Macbeth being disturbed as the plague could be a metaphor for the sinister thoughts she conjured up. Also, the mere fact that she could come up with such ideas portrays her as disturbed to the audience as during this period of time women were seen as psychologically and physically fragile and dainty. This would have been seen as strange and uncouth for a lady to use such horrific language.
Also, the raven flying could represent her disturbed ideas flourishing due to her “vaulting ambition” but also her downfall as the raven lands due to the lack of consideration and thought into her and her husband’s plans. Alternatively, the ‘hoarse’ sound produced by the bird could be seen as the foretelling of King Duncan’s death. This could also be seen as disturbed as it was thought to be against the will of God to commit such a heinous crime against the ruler of your country.
The fact that the raven’s cry is ‘hoarse’ shows that it has croaked so much that its voice is gone, could signify Lady Macbeth’s deep need to have power fading away as she gets more and more disturbed due to overwhelming experiences which leave her as a shadow of who she once was.
Lady