British Literature
Macbeth
Macbeth, was written and published by William Shakespeare approximaterly in the year 1606. This book can be classified as a classical tradegy. A tradegy is defined as a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character. Regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, and greatest dramatist in the world; he was an actor, poet, and playwright. For more than 400 years, his works have been performed, read, and studied. Some people have even questioned whethere he was even an actual person or writer.
Macbeth, follows the story of a Scottish general named, Macbeth. He receives a prophecy from three witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Macbeth determined to make this happen is convinced by his wife to murder King Duncan, and gain the throne. Overraught by gulit, Macbeth continues to commit crimes and murders to ensure that he posseses the title of King. He fights until the very the end, but is eventually murdered and overthrown.
The five major themes are as follows:
1. Ambition - "I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other" (Shakespeare 41).
2. Fate - "And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest consequence" (Shakespeare 23).
3. Violence - "I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er" (Shakespeare 109).
4. Nature and the Unnatural - "By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes" (Shakespeare 123).
5. Manhood - "Macbeth: If we should fail.
Lady Macbeth: We fail?
But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail." (Shakespeare 43).