In many ways, Shakespeare's Macbeth is a study of a character gradually isolating himself on many levels. Macbeth begins the play as a respected warrior, one of King Duncan's favorites. However, as the play progresses, Macbeth physically, mentally, and emotionally isolates himself by systematically eliminating those who threaten his power. This isolation also leads to the breakdown of Macbeth's reputation and his network of allies. We can see the desperation this situation causes in part of Macbeth's famous speech in Act V:
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing. (5.5.26-30)
In this moment, Macbeth has just learned that Lady Macbeth, his last true human connection, has just passed away, leading him utterly adrift in loneliness. This revelation leads Macbeth to conclude that life is essentially meaningless. Thus, it's possible to suggest that Macbeth's isolation causes him to realize that the power he thirsted after is, in the end, meaningless without the human connections he forfeited in the process of usurping the throne, and this realization leads to utter despair. It is here that we truly see Macbeth, for all of his evil actions, as a tragic character.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
How does physical or mental isolation lead to despair in Macbeth?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Summarize the major research findings of "Toward an experimental ecology of human development."
Based on findings of prior research, the author, Bronfenbrenner proposes that methods for natural observation research have been applied in ...
-
The Awakening is told from a third-person omniscient point of view. It is tempting to say that it is limited omniscient because the narrator...
-
Roger is referred to as the "dark boy." He is a natural sadist who becomes the "official" torturer and executioner of Ja...
-
One way to support this thesis is to explain how these great men changed the world. Indeed, Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) was the quintes...
-
The major difference that presented itself between American and British Romantic works was their treatment of the nation and its history. Th...
-
After the inciting incident, where Daniel meets his childhood acquaintance Joel in the mountains outside the village, the rising action begi...
-
The Southern economy was heavily dependent upon slave labor. The Southern economy was agrarian; agriculture was its lifeblood, and being abl...
-
The first step in answering the question is to note that it conflates two different issues, sensation-seeking behavior and risk. One good ap...
No comments:
Post a Comment