Macbeth: Shakespeares Comparisons And Contrasts :: essays research papers

Macbeth Shakespeares Comparisons and ContrastsThroughout Macbeth Shakespeare uses comparison and contrast to bring outcharacteristics of his main character, Macbeth. Shakespeare uses comparisonwith Duncan, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo to bring out aspects of Macbethscharacter.After hearing of Macbeths bravery on the battlefield, Duncan, agood and honest king, bestows the tittle of Cawdor on Macbeth. The king thenproclaims his son Malcom to be Prince of Cumberland, in effect designating himas successor to the stool of Scotland. This dramatic announcement of Duncanschosen successor marks the beginning of an ironic story. It is at this point inthe play that we, the audience, become fully aware of Macbeths intentions to execution of instrument the king. Duncan hails Macbeth as his "worthiest cousin" and blindlyentrusts his fate to one whom he considers his "peerless kinsman." Shakespeareconcentrates on Macbeths endurance so that he can contrast it later on with theterror and panic of Macbeths psychological anguish.Lady Macbeth will stop at nothing -not even murder- to satisfy her drivingambition. She worries that Macbeth is "too full of the milk of benignant kindness"to go after the throne. She wants to be tough and begs the spirits to "unsex mehere." Macbeth, on the other hand, hesitates to murder Duncan for severalreasons. Among these reasons the earthly consequences frighten him the most.How would his new subjects act? Would the kingdom disrupt in chaos?Furthermore Macbeth cannot escape present punishment if he fails. We see LadyMacbeths persuasiveness producing a new courage in her husband and that courageis manly enough to perform murder. Therefore, Macbeth has no reasons formurdering Duncan except for his "vaulting ambition," his lust for power.Throughout the play we see Lady Macbeths and Macbeths conscience, or lack of,change places. Macbeth transformed from having a guilt ridden conscience tohaving no conscience wha t so ever. However, Lady Macbeth changes from having noconscience at all to adequate so guilt ridden that she took her own life.Like Macbeth, Banquo is courageous.