Macbeth Critical Lens

Macbeth Critical Lens

Throughout the play of Macbeth two characters relate to this quote more than the others.“Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

When one wants power and joy in his or her life one will do whatever it takes to get what one wants. When one has a cocky attitude one feels that he or she is superior to everyone else. Than when everything is going well, a tragedy will happen that will hurt the character. I agree with this critical lens. Macbeth, was written by William Shakespeare which is categorized as a Tragedy. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth relate to this quote perfectly.

Macbeth was driven by his desire to kill Duncan. He was skeptical at first but he did it to get what he wanted. “Is this a dagger I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight, or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” Macbeth is seeing visions that are going through his head. He is no longer in control because his imagination took over his thoughts. This dagger is intriguing him to go on to kill Duncan. In his mind he wants to kill him to get the glory of being king, but he is afraid of the consequences. As of right now he is confused as to what is real and what is not real because his mind is all over the place.

Macbeth becomes a very powerful and a dangerous man. He believes that he is invincible because of the witches’ aspirations. He thinks that nobody can harm him so he gains confidence. He becomes so preoccupied in himself that no one else seems to matter as much anymore. “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Macbeth becomes so involved in his own life that he is so preoccupied with himself. He used to care a lot about his wife and this news would have hurt him a long time ago, but at this point he is quiet and accepting of the news that Lady Macbeth committed suicide. At this point he doesn’t really have any more control in his life because he knows that he is doomed because the prophecies came true.

Surrealism is a Literary element that is used greatly in this play. Surrealism is an unconscious mind is represented by an object on stage. “Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange

Even to the disposition that I owe, When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, When mine is blanched with fear.” Macbeth becomes locked up by his illusions caused by the build up of denial and shame. Banquo's ghost is an example of these illusions. He truly believes that Banquo’s ghost is actually in the room with him, and speaks to it. Macbeth's inner struggle is coming out and, because his mind is in such a state, he can no longer control his behavior. Macbeth's own inner dishonesty has made him mad. Macbeth is feeling guilty about killing Banquo, that is why he is back to haunt him in his mind. Macbeth goes from being a noble warrior with truthful ambition, to someone that cannot even control his own thoughts anymore. Throughout the play Macbeth thinks that he becomes more powerful with rule and respect, but he is actually becoming weaker because he thinks he is superior to others.

Lady Macbeth relates to this quote because in the beginning of the play she had a lot of pride. She had a strong mind, and thought that she and Macbeth could get away with killing Duncan. “My hands are of your colour; but I shame To wear a heart so white. I hear a knocking At the south entry: retire we to our chamber; A little

water clears us of this deed: How