Macbeth
The entire time I was reading Act I of Macbeth, I honestly just kept thinking about how Shakespeare recycled the same exact plots/themes/ideas so many times. I was not at all surprised to read about a valiant soldier, inner conflict, corrupt women, regicide, and many other themes that I have seen before in other Shakespeare plays. The part of Act I that gave me hope that this play might be different (and more interesting) than some other ones I've read was the Three Witches. I've always liked when Shakespeare weaves sort of mystical aspects into the story since they contrast in such an interesting way with the historical influence of the play. I am hopeful that the Witches will continue to make appearances and contribute to the "mystery" in the story.
Another part of the play that seemed all too familiar to me was the inclusion of false evidence. In Act 1 sc. 7 lines 69-95 while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to go along with her plan, she tells him that their plan will succeed because of false evidence. She says that they won't be caught since they will frame the murder on the King's drunk guards by using their daggers to commit the murder, planting the king's blood on them, and then pretending to be extremely distraught afterwards. This plan seems extremely risky to me, and I'm intrigued to see if the use of false evidence actually works in convincing others that the guards are guilty. I think that Macbeth's recent "rapt" behavior may make people suspicious that he was planning something against the king, especially Banquo who knew of the Witches predictions that he would become king.
Another part of the play that seemed all too familiar to me was the inclusion of false evidence. In Act 1 sc. 7 lines 69-95 while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to go along with her plan, she tells him that their plan will succeed because of false evidence. She says that they won't be caught since they will frame the murder on the King's drunk guards by using their daggers to commit the murder, planting the king's blood on them, and then pretending to be extremely distraught afterwards. This plan seems extremely risky to me, and I'm intrigued to see if the use of false evidence actually works in convincing others that the guards are guilty. I think that Macbeth's recent "rapt" behavior may make people suspicious that he was planning something against the king, especially Banquo who knew of the Witches predictions that he would become king.
I agree with your comments on Shakespeare's reuse of common themes across all of his works. They are the themes and motifs which make this a quintessential Shakespearean tragedy. The mystery aspect of Macbeth can be described primarily through the inclusion of the Three Witches in the play, who have many parallels with the Three Fates from Greek Mythology. However, I can also see how some aspect of the mystery can come from Macbeth himself, because he is so indecisive (as of now), and appears to question his every move as he attempts to reach his ultimate goal.
ReplyDeleteI think your comments are interesting yet not entirely valid in my opinion. I could easily boil down every movie that has been released in the last 30 years to a handful of themes. I think it is interesting to track these themes and their reoccurrences in Shakespeare, but his works are so much more than just themes. I do not know of any other character in Shakespeare quite like Lady MacBeth and I think you should definitely keep a close eye on her as a character if you are worried about things getting too cookie-cutter. I agree, the witches are cool, and I like your summary of the interaction between MacBeth and Lady MacBeth.
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