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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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A/L English Literature Made Easy - Drama Macbeth by William Shakespeare Shakespeare (born 1564 - died 1616) could be honoured as the greatest literary genius of the great age of Elizebethan Drama. Shakespeare's dramas are poetic in structure, carrying a lot of beauty giving character to theatre with the technical virtuosity highlighting characterization.
The deft manipulation of plot and under plot and varied relief are Shakespeare's own gift. The composition of Macbeth is supposed to be in the period 1605-1606, but there are different views of the date and source. Macbeth is written in blank verse, supposed to be Shakespeare's maturest blank verse next in line to Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare is supposed to have had consulted Hollinshed's Chronicle. Hollinshed's narrative had supplied the raw materials for the tragedy. The freedom he allowed in handling the material is remarkable. For example: For obvious purposes of contrast Shakespeare whitens the character of Duncan and mars character of Macbeth. He has modelled Macbeth's character on an assassin whose treacherous murder of King Duncan paves the way for Macbeth's treacherous downfall.
Macbeth has been termed The Tragedy of ambition and is the least incomplexity. The simplicity of theme, motive and treatment consorts with the simple, unsophisticated period of events for sheer ambition for what is not his, calling into action and resulting in a series of fearful results. The tragedy Macbeth, is in blank verse with slight variations, having naturalness freedom and variety. Lines of irregular length, used to express the emotions usually by the haste and excitement of the speaker. The inverted stresses with the strong stress falling on the first of two syllables forming afoot. Vaulting ambition which over leaps itself. The splendour of the poetic narration highlights the significant situations, making the drama sublime and impressive. Act 1 Scene 1 In Act 1, Scene 1 - the background is created for the introduction of the atmosphere of guilt and evil, raising the mind at once to the high tragic tone. The appearence of the witches is very significant and the background for the mysterious incidents a desert place, with thunder and lightening, a barron spot where evil eternally survives. This scene symbolizes the future chaos in Duncan's Kingdom - and the disaster that is to follow. The verse with four accents used by Shakespeare giving prominence to the part played by the whitches. When the/hurly/burly's/done / and the three witches (three with its multiple nine) is supposed to be a mysterious number. Shakespeare refers to the turmoil of battle in the words hurly burly, gray malkin and paddock (toad) were believed to be familiar spirits. In the eyes of the witches fair is foul and foul is fair warning man what he should expect from witches. Act 1 Scene II (a camp near forres) The King questions in a surprised manner the newest state of the revolt. Sergeant and Ross have just arrived from the stress of battle, one is wounded. (In ancient times sergeants were men performing one kind of feudal military service). The Sergeant gives a long narration of the battle Macdonwald worthy to be a rebel with the evil qualities, a great multitude of people offering themselves to assist him in the rebellious quarrel. Fortune supported them as it were the mistress of theirs, but Macbeth by his higher power made the aid of fortune unavailing. Fate smiled on Macbeth. Line twenty is an irregular line showing the haste and excitement of the speaker. Like the valour's minion carv'd out his passage Till he faced the slave. The formal hand shake which preceded a duel did not take place, Macbeth cut off his neck and Duncan appreciated Macbeth's valour. Seeing a favourable opportunity he sent a new troop of soldiers. But Macbeth and Banquo Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe slaughtered the enemy creating another Golgotha. As the Sergeant himself was wounded, King Duncan invited the immediate attention of the surgeons to attend to his wounds. The anapeast through Lennox's words What a haste/looks though/his eyes! So should/he look/ That seems to speak things strange. It was an insult to the Scottish heavens that Norwegian flags should be unfurled. Norway with a large number of soldiers assisted by the Thane of Cawder began a dismal conflict creating a tremendously powerful control where the country the Bellona's bridegroom - Macbeth, brought victory. ... curbing his lavish spirit; and, to conclude the victory fell on us. (Bellona being the Roman goddess of war - the very spouse of Bellona) This is used as a strong term of admiration and without mentioning the name Macbeth the honour goes to him. A very touching situation, as the speaker, Ross presumes that it should be applied to Macbeth alone. Its phrase of admiration, Macbeth alone. Its phrase of admiration, Macbeth, proving himself a match for the Norwegian King. Macbeth, being greeted as "Thane of Cawder." The scene ends with Macbeth being glorified. Through the introduction of the Warelement glorifying the greatness of Macbeth as a soldier, thereby bringing also his downfall is made more tragic. The rewards he receives from King Duncan creates the appropriate background revealing Macbeth's ungrateful deeds by his previous evil meditations towards an extremely generous King. Duncan, thereby subjects Macbeth to hatred. King Duncan's genuine feelings towards Macbeth is highlighted by the words uttered by the King. ... And with his former title greet Macbeth What he hath lost noble Macbeth, hath won. Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher, Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala. |
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