How Does Macbeth Show Courage
Despite this declaration of his courage, we can see his desperation. When a servant enters with news about the English force, Macbeth shows his courage the way a bully does -- by picking on someone weaker. Even before the servant has a chance to speak, Macbeth shouts, "The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! / Where got'st thou that goose look?" (5.3.11-12). The servant is only a boy, and he is pale with fear, which enrages Macbeth. Macbeth calls him names and mocks him, then says something revealing: "Death of thy soul! those linen cheeks of thine / Are counsellors to fear" (5.3.16-17). A counsellor is someone who gives advice, so "counsellors to fear" would tell someone to be afraid. Macbeth feels that the boy's pale cheeks are
telling him that he, too, should be afraid, and if he fears nothing else, Macbeth does fear fear itself.
The witches Oracle stated that he had no need of fear until a man not born of woman challenged him and the Birnam forest moved to Dunsinnae. These are both physical impossibilities. Therefore, it is as good as saying Macbeth need never have fear. So this reading interprets everything Macbeth says to his servant, to Seyton, to the Doctor and about "physique" as the arrogant, confident commanding of a king. So by this reading, Macbeth has no regrets except the one regret that his wife has broken and is mentally deranged
Macbeth is playing the part of a despicable despot, being unpleasant to all those around him. The audience must assume that those that still follow Macbeth do so out of fear rather than loyalty. He is now so arrogant that he considers those around him to be cowards. He refers to his servant as ‘lily livered’, and as for the opposing army he considers them to be lazy and self-indulgent.
When the doctor advises Macbeth that he has been unable to cure his wife of the madness, Macbeth mocks him telling him to throw his medicine to the dogs. The doctor makes the remark that he has noted Macbeth’s own military preparation, and doubts whether it will be a remedy for Scotland’s ills.
telling him that he, too, should be afraid, and if he fears nothing else, Macbeth does fear fear itself.
The witches Oracle stated that he had no need of fear until a man not born of woman challenged him and the Birnam forest moved to Dunsinnae. These are both physical impossibilities. Therefore, it is as good as saying Macbeth need never have fear. So this reading interprets everything Macbeth says to his servant, to Seyton, to the Doctor and about "physique" as the arrogant, confident commanding of a king. So by this reading, Macbeth has no regrets except the one regret that his wife has broken and is mentally deranged
Macbeth is playing the part of a despicable despot, being unpleasant to all those around him. The audience must assume that those that still follow Macbeth do so out of fear rather than loyalty. He is now so arrogant that he considers those around him to be cowards. He refers to his servant as ‘lily livered’, and as for the opposing army he considers them to be lazy and self-indulgent.
When the doctor advises Macbeth that he has been unable to cure his wife of the madness, Macbeth mocks him telling him to throw his medicine to the dogs. The doctor makes the remark that he has noted Macbeth’s own military preparation, and doubts whether it will be a remedy for Scotland’s ills.