Macbeth: the Decent from Chaos to Madness
Chaos Created by Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth Leading to Madness
William Shakespeare’s novel of Macbeth explores the theme of chaos evolving into madness as a result of the protagonist’s actions. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth interfere with the natural order as they are driven by ambition, which they perceive as being fate.
Macbeth’s pure determination for power, leads him to destroy the natural order of life, turning chaos into madness. His lack of psychological wellbeing is perceived through his actions as his surroundings turn from chaotic to utterly deranged. A chaotic environment is portrayed within Act 1 Scene 2 when the captain reports to King Duncan on the present situation; “As two spent swimmers that do cling together
/And choke their art.”. Men were at war, many slaughtered before reaching manhood, however, although the situation appears tragic, it does not have a major effect on the natural order of life. As the play progresses, Macbeth’s ambition leads him to murdering those who he has been loyal to for years and has close encounters with woman “so withered and wild in attire”. The connection of man with supernatural figures begins to unbalance the forces of nature in multiple ways. “An owl shrieks” further suggests a disturbance of the natural world preceding the death of Duncan. Chaos soon turns to madness due to the actions of Macbeth. Driven by ambition and determination, the protagonist begins to alter with the natural order, shifting his fate.
Lady Macbeth is a loyal and devoted wife that shares a similar, and in some cases, stronger desire for power. Due to the social standards of the Jacobean era, her power was produced by her husband, Macbeth. Her desire for power is portrayed though her thoughts and actions; “wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear/And chastise with the valor of my tongue/All that impedes thee from the golden round,/Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem/To have thee
Lady Macbeth Leading to Madness
William Shakespeare’s novel of Macbeth explores the theme of chaos evolving into madness as a result of the protagonist’s actions. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth interfere with the natural order as they are driven by ambition, which they perceive as being fate.
Macbeth’s pure determination for power, leads him to destroy the natural order of life, turning chaos into madness. His lack of psychological wellbeing is perceived through his actions as his surroundings turn from chaotic to utterly deranged. A chaotic environment is portrayed within Act 1 Scene 2 when the captain reports to King Duncan on the present situation; “As two spent swimmers that do cling together
/And choke their art.”. Men were at war, many slaughtered before reaching manhood, however, although the situation appears tragic, it does not have a major effect on the natural order of life. As the play progresses, Macbeth’s ambition leads him to murdering those who he has been loyal to for years and has close encounters with woman “so withered and wild in attire”. The connection of man with supernatural figures begins to unbalance the forces of nature in multiple ways. “An owl shrieks” further suggests a disturbance of the natural world preceding the death of Duncan. Chaos soon turns to madness due to the actions of Macbeth. Driven by ambition and determination, the protagonist begins to alter with the natural order, shifting his fate.
Lady Macbeth is a loyal and devoted wife that shares a similar, and in some cases, stronger desire for power. Due to the social standards of the Jacobean era, her power was produced by her husband, Macbeth. Her desire for power is portrayed though her thoughts and actions; “wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear/And chastise with the valor of my tongue/All that impedes thee from the golden round,/Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem/To have thee