Analysis of Macbeth Essay

Analyse the actions and the dialogue within the play that aides your understanding of a character.

The drama script Macbeth written by William Shakespeare in 1606, set in Scotland. Conveys the story of a Scottish soldiers ambition to grasp wealth, materialism and kingship and how this overwhelming desire plagues his conscience affecting his mental and emotional well being. The main character Macbeth uses actions and dialogue which are witnessed by the audience to promote a tragedy, at the beginning of the play Macbeth the warrior descends into tyranny as he is plagued by the tormenting witches, throughout the play Macbeth descends continually into tyranny and at the end he realises what he has done, and what he has sacrificed. Through the action and dialogue the emotions, ideas, and thoughts (asides) of Macbeth are portrayed therefore the audience is truly capable of developing a stronger understanding of the character Macbeth.

Macbeths emotions vary throughout the play and they are seen through the use of his dialogue and actions, at the beginning of the play he is a noble warrior he then becomes curious as he is first confronted by the witches; stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more. they tell him he will become Thane of Cawdor and unbelievably the King. Macbeth is shocked and amazed; the next day he is informed that the Thane of Cawdor was a traitor and he is sentenced to death; the witchs first proposal instantly came true, this is when his imagination takes control. He soon after feels that he has to kill Duncan to be crowned king, (aside)- My thought, whose murder yet is fantastical, shakes so my single state of man. Shakespeare uses asides such as this to show inner turmoil so the audience have a stronger understanding and more information than the characters. He decides that it is a bad idea but then Lady Macbeth persuades him too by arguing his manhood When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man. His nobility in Act 1 rapidly turned, from there after he becomes more evil and no sense of nobility remains, glimpses are seen at the end as he confronts his woes, and doesnt run away and hide. The dialogue portrays Macbeths emotions, ideas and desires; therefore I am able to understand the character of Macbeth to a larger extent and in vaster detail.

Macbeths dialogue is mean of communicating with the audience and informing them of what his actions are going to include. Before the murder of Banquo and Fleance holds an example of when Macbeth uses dialogue to tell the murderers what to do; Both of you know Banquo was your enemy" this gives understanding because of how he conducts the men too murder them; he convinces them that they are truly bad people and thus be witting himself in order to feel safe on the throne; but this will never be. The dialogue also show how he has changed from the beginning as he was extremely cautious and weary before he murdered King Duncan; later he attacks Macduffs castle with no remorse killing his family because the witches told him to fear Macduff Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, beware Macduff this dialogue is then transformed into actions inducting both aspect of a character into one to convey a strong message. The audience first witnesses the dialogue then the actions are seen thereafter.

Macbeths action are an aspect of the play which create understanding on how Macbeth changes. His actions are good at the beginning as he fought for his country; he is indecisive about murdering King Duncan but when he eventually does it he turns evil and massacres everyone he thinks of "I am in blood/ stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, / returning were as tedious as go o'er./ Strange things I have in head that will to hand,/ which must be acted ere they may be scanned." He feels he is so deep in blood; that more murders dont matter. These words are put into action when Banquo senses has killed King Duncan "Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,/ as the weird women promised, and I fear/ thou play'dst most foully for `t.", this is a quote from Banquo explaining how he feels about the witches predictions coming true. Macbeth realizes this about Banquo and he starts to have feelings about killing Banquo. This isn't the only reason he feels this way, the witches had also made predictions for Banquo. "Thou shall get kings, though thou be none." This encourages the killing even more so as Macbeth doesnt want Banquos ancestors to be King; he orders for Banquos son Fleance to be murdered also but he escapes. Macbeths actions over the period of the play change, the audience witnesses a tragedy as the witches torment Macbeth and he turns very evil. His actions give understanding not only on how much grief he is going through but all of his desperation to be safely King.

Macbeth is a play with deep understanding; this can be drawn out through the main character Macbeths action and dialogue. They both are used to create emotion, and give the audience an insight on what is about to take place and how dialogue will be put into action. Because of the actions and dialogue of Macbeth; the audience can experience a deep lesson that too much ambition and thirst for power will lead to your ultimate destruction. This can be seen through Hitler and Napoleon. And a simple lesson: dont let greed get the best of you.