Detailed Analysis of Macbeth

Resource Description

Macbeth and Macbeth Retold Analysis –

(Human Psyche – Macbeth/Excerpt)

Foreshadowing and Euphemism (Human Psyche)

“If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well if it were done quickly”

Foreshadows his fear for the extensive consequences that arise with killing the king. It also explores Macbeth’s character, where his focus isn’t on the guilt from killing the king, but rather on the consequences that would follow, invoking the notion of whether he already had the capacity to kill the king before his interactions with the witches. It also acts as a deeper insight into the human psyche; bound not by individual morals, but by the fear of repercussions from breaking societal morals, demonstrating how narratives shape our world and express extensive understanding. “It” ,“The deed”, “bear the knife

Macbeth’s inability to mention murder due to the guilt it brings is expressed through his constant use of alternative euphamisms throughout the soliloquy such as ‘it’, ‘the deed’, and ‘bear the knife’, to distract himself away from and diminish the true extent and consequences that murder brings.

In Macbeth, power and corruption is directly expressed through Macbeth’s character arc and development, as well as supporting manipulative characters such as Lady Macbeth, which overall displays the correlation between power as a primary cause of corruption. The quote “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter”, is an influential and determining moment in the play, as Macbeth hears that he will be King, a position of significant power. Shakespeare employs foreshadowing in this quote and alludes to how power, even it is not yet present and is to be gained in the subsequent future, can corrupt an individual’s thoughts and lead to an individual acting out on their impulses. The quote “If good, why do I yield to the suggestion, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs! Against the use of nature?” details the extensive corruptive effect Macbeth’s ambition has on him as this soliloquy presents the audience with the lack of conscience in Macbeth’s thoughts, juxtaposing to early in the play where Macbeth was horrified at the thought of murdering Duncan to gain power, showing once again that harnessing power inevitably corrupts. Lady Macbeth plays a pivotal role in the play as she herself uses her influence over Macbeth to entice to the potential power he could hold. The quote “Was the hope drunk..” symbolises Lady Macbeth’s desire for power and her corruption through it. The corruption of Lady Macbeth leads to using Macbeth to complete her goals while corrupting Macbeth himself during the process. The quote shows the spread of corruption due to the enticement of potential power. In, “Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem” Macbeth’s character traits are highlighted and Lady Macbeth’s description of the crown as an “ornament,” an object of value implies Lady Macbeth’s desire to gain prestige and power as her husband assumes the role of king and as she underlines Macbeth’s cowardice, the realisation occurs how the temptations of power can taint an individual’s morals and eventually corrupts the individuals surrounding them with these morals. Therefore, when evaluating the role of power in corrupting an individual’s morals and consciousness, power is a determining factor in the corruption of an individual for without a certain amount of enticement one will never be motivated. Social structure limits individual’s potential casting it upon themselves to break such social barriers. William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth (1601) & Mark Brozel’s appropriated film, Macbeth Retold (2005) display similar individuals aiming to progress within the social structure in their varying contexts. Set in the Jacobean Era, Shakespeare revolves his social ladder based upon the hierarchical society dictated within the Chain of Being. In contrast, Brozel sets his film within the contemporary era varying with its meritocratic society whilst exploring similar issues. Hence, composers create narratives to portray the struggles of individuals as they challenge the social structure within their varying contexts