Essay Evil Reaps Darkness in Shakespeares Macbeth

Evil Reaps Darkness in Macbeth By their deeds you shall know them is a Biblical passage which seems to state a lesson reiterated in Shakespeares Macbeth. We intend to examine closely the dark future which the Macbeths deserved because of their sinful conduct. A.C. Bradley in Shakespearean Tragedy comments on the darkness within the play: The vision of the dagger, the murder of Duncan, the murder of Banquo, the sleep-walking of Lady Macbeth, all come in night scenes. The Witches dance in the thick air of a storm or, black and midnight hags, receive Macbeth in a cavern. The blackness of night is to the hero a thing of fear, even of horror; and that which he feels becomes the spirit of the play. The faint†¦show more content†¦Macbeth, of course, literally means that his love for Duncan was so strong and so swift that it got ahead of his reason, which would have counseled a pause. But in the same way we have seen his greed and ambition outrun his reason when he committed the murder; and in the same way all of the characters, in the irrational darkness of Scotlands evil hour, are compelled in their action to strive beyond what they can see by reason alone. Even Malcolm and Macduff, as we shall see, are compelled to go beyond reason in the action which destroys Macbeth and ends the play. (106-7) L.C. Knights in the essay Macbeth describes the moral darkness into which Macbeth lowers himself: The main theme of the reversal of values is given out simply and clearly in the first scene - Fair is foul, and foul is fair; and with it are associated premonitions of the conflict, disorder and moral darkness into which Macbeth will plunge himself. (95) The Tragedy of Macbeth opens in a desert place with thunder and lightning (typical accompaniment to darkness) and three witches, somber and dark in appearance, who are anticipating their meeting with Macbeth, There to meet with Macbeth. They all say together the mysterious and contradictory Fair is foul, and foul is fair. When the Norweyan forces are vanquished, Duncan bids Ross to greet Macbeth with his new title of Thane of Cawdor. Before this happens, however, Macbeth isShow MoreRelatedImagery in Macbeth by William Shakespeare1172 Words   |  5 PagesImagery in Macbeth William Shakespeare use of imagery creates a picture in the mind of his audiences that tells a thousand words. In most of his literary work, he shows the importance of imagery, and how authors can manipulate a readers feelings towards a character. In Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, he shows his very skillfully uses imagery. Macbeth is one of the great tragedy themed plays by William Shakespeare. It’s about three witches that decide to manipulate a Scottish generalRead MoreMacbeth the Tyrant2310 Words   |  10 PagesShakespeares shortest play, Macbeth, is also, consequently, his most shocking and intense. We see the essence of tragedy: in this case, the protagonist transforms himself from a noble warrior who is loyal to his king and fights for his county to a reduced tyrant by the plays end. Macbeths divided soul which is in turmoil is the cause of his deterioration from a respected warrior to a despised tyrant. Initially, Macbeths turmoil within himself is apparent from the beginning of the play when