Macbeth Critical Essay Example
Critical Essay “Macbeth”
Between the years 1606 and 1611, William Shakespeare; arguably one of the world’s greatest dramatists, wrote a play full of treachery and greed. The story of ‘Macbeth’ is a complex and absorbing piece of literature that completely immerses the reader within its pages. Shakespeare’s idea of a noble warrior deceiving his country by committing regicide is more than historical facts; the play however is based around a more fictional nature as Shakespeare introduces the conceptualization of witchcraft. The tale of “Macbeth” begins with thunder and lightning, with the Three Witches deciding that their next meeting shall be with Macbeth. In the following scene, a wounded captain reports to King Duncan of Scotland that his generals Macbeth and Banquo have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, who were led by the rebel Macdonwald. Later Macbeth and Banquo are on horseback discussing the weather and their victory. As they wander onto a heath, they meet the three Witches, who are waiting to greet them with prophecies. Even though it is Banquo who first challenges them, they address Macbeth. The first hails Macbeth as "Thane of Glamis", the second as "Thane of Cawdor", and the third proclaims that he shall "be King". Macbeth appears to be stunned to silence, so again Banquo challenges them. The Witches inform Banquo he shall father a line of kings, though he himself will not be one. While the two men wonder at these pronouncements, the Witches vanish. Ross, a messenger from the King, arrives and informs Macbeth of his newly bestowed title, “Thane of Cawdor.” The first prophecy is thus fulfilled. Immediately, Macbeth begins to harbour ambitions of becoming king.
Macbeth writes to his wife about the Witches' prophecies. When Duncan decides to stay at the Macbeths' castle at Inverness, Lady Macbeth hatches a plan to murder him and secure the throne for her husband. Although Macbeth raises concerns about the regicide, Lady Macbeth
Between the years 1606 and 1611, William Shakespeare; arguably one of the world’s greatest dramatists, wrote a play full of treachery and greed. The story of ‘Macbeth’ is a complex and absorbing piece of literature that completely immerses the reader within its pages. Shakespeare’s idea of a noble warrior deceiving his country by committing regicide is more than historical facts; the play however is based around a more fictional nature as Shakespeare introduces the conceptualization of witchcraft. The tale of “Macbeth” begins with thunder and lightning, with the Three Witches deciding that their next meeting shall be with Macbeth. In the following scene, a wounded captain reports to King Duncan of Scotland that his generals Macbeth and Banquo have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, who were led by the rebel Macdonwald. Later Macbeth and Banquo are on horseback discussing the weather and their victory. As they wander onto a heath, they meet the three Witches, who are waiting to greet them with prophecies. Even though it is Banquo who first challenges them, they address Macbeth. The first hails Macbeth as "Thane of Glamis", the second as "Thane of Cawdor", and the third proclaims that he shall "be King". Macbeth appears to be stunned to silence, so again Banquo challenges them. The Witches inform Banquo he shall father a line of kings, though he himself will not be one. While the two men wonder at these pronouncements, the Witches vanish. Ross, a messenger from the King, arrives and informs Macbeth of his newly bestowed title, “Thane of Cawdor.” The first prophecy is thus fulfilled. Immediately, Macbeth begins to harbour ambitions of becoming king.
Macbeth writes to his wife about the Witches' prophecies. When Duncan decides to stay at the Macbeths' castle at Inverness, Lady Macbeth hatches a plan to murder him and secure the throne for her husband. Although Macbeth raises concerns about the regicide, Lady Macbeth