NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
How accurate an analysis is this of the two main characters? Look at their development throughout the play. A dead butcher and his fiend-like queen is spoken by Malcolm on line 98 in Act 5 Scene 7 as Malcolm announces the beginning of a new reign, just after he has defeated Macbeth at his castle. Malcolm uses it to describe and sum up Macbeth and his wifes reign over Scotland. My first impression of this question after reading the book is that this is a fair representation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, mainly because of the atrocious murders that took place. Both characters come across as evil people and I think that this quote reflects that.
By the end of the play, Macbeth has been given this label of butcher. He has been transformed from a mighty and ambitious warrior to a cruel and unjust ruler. Macbeth could well have fitted the description of butcher very well as he did kill many people, even people who were very close to him. He kills Duncan, the king, Banquo, his best friend, and also Lady Macduff and her son. The Collins Modern English Dictionary describes a butcher as an indiscriminate and brutal murderer; this is certainly what he was becoming. To be a butcher, Macbeth first had to be changed from a loyal leader of Duncan's army, to a cruel killer.
This all came down to the work of the witches, Macbeth's greed and Lady Macbeth's ambitions. The first contribution to Macbeth's later attitude could well have been his newly found title of Thane of Candor, given to him after the end of the battle, by Duncan himself. This could well spark Macbeth in to thinking of ambitions that were greater, such as king. In Act 1 Scene 3 Macbeth and Banquo are confronted by the witches and it is prophesied that Macbeth is to be King. At first he does not think that he should do anything to make this prophesy become true: "If Chance will have me king, why, chance May crown me, Without my stir. " However, when soon after Duncan decides to name Malcolm as the successor it puts a big obstacle in the way of Macbeth, and he soon realises that he will have to kill Duncan if he wishes to become king: "The Prince of Cumberland!
That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'er-leap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires. " Macbeth uses the witches as his security, his mental aid. Their predictions that he is to be king make him feel safe as if nothing can get in the way. Although he knows he is going to be king, he does not want to wait all of his life for the honour he wants it as quick as possible. Malcolm extends his waiting time and makes him impatient.
Macbeth wants Malcolm out of the way but he feels safe that he will still be king whatever he does. Although Macbeth would love to be king, he does not want to become king by killing Duncan. He does not want to kill him because he is his king and also a close relation. Macbeth is the host and it is his duty to protect him while he is in his castle. This shows us that Macbeth is not an evil man at the start of the play even though he does have some evil thoughts he is unable to carry these out. If he were evil then his kinship and duty to the king would not deter him from murdering Duncan: "First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. " Lady Macbeth predicts that Macbeth will be affected by his conscience which will deter him from committing the deed.
Because of this she tries to resolve it by using powerful, punishing words to get rid of his doubts and encourage him to kill Duncan and become king. This could be the big turning point, as this is the beginning of Macbeth being seen as a butcher, which has mostly been spurred on by his wife Lady Macbeth: "Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round. " Even though Lady Macbeth is supportive of Macbeth and she persuades him to kill Duncan, she does not force him to do it Macbeth decides to kill Duncan himself with ambition as his influence. This is a sign of Macbeth showing his butcher side of himself. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth's attitude changes once again guilt starts to play on his conscience.
He is very agitated and frightened. He forgets to place the dagger where he was meant to and is too afraid to go back and rectify the problem. Macbeth wants to wash his hands of all thats gone on but he fears it is impossible, there is no turning back. He regrets killing Duncan, wishing to wake up from this horrible dream.
This is another sign of his real feelings, as if this butcher side is some kind of alter-ego: "Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!" Not too long after the murder of Duncan, Macbeth seems to become the dominant partner in their relationship, ordering the killing of Banquo and France. Macbeth starts to take control making all the decisions for himself, and not even bothering to consult them with his wife. This shows that their relationship was very confusing, there seems to be two sides. When Macbeth is normal he is controlled by his wife but when he shows his evil, he starts to take control. The butcher side of him starts to creep out again but this time completely out of his own will, with no encouragement from anyone else accept his own ambitions.
He tells his wife to: "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. " Up until this point Macbeth has been acting with ambition, but by the start of Act 3 he starts to fight for his survival. He can see for himself that he has gone way too far but he can not turn back, he is in it way too deep: "I am in blood Step in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er. " Macbeth has become very paranoid and he doesnt trust anyone, especially Macduff. He is worried what will happen to him after his actions. He is also worried about what the witches told him, that all that he has fought for to become king will all go to Banquo's sons. This really annoys Macbeth and makes him more determined and more willing to survive.
I dont think that this kind of worrying portrayed by Macbeth so far is a sign of a butcher. If he were a true brutal murderer surely he would have no fear and he would not need to worry. Macbeth was frustrated at Macduff for leaving the country before Macbeth could kill him. Macbeth then committed his worst murder, which was almost definitely an act of butchery he killed Lady Macduff and her son, two innocents with no real involvement. Macbeth is...
Free research essays on topics related to: lady macduff and her son, lady macbeth, kill duncan, murdering duncan, duncan macbeth
Research essay sample on Lady Macduff And Her Son Lady Macbeth
