Dryden’s “Absalom and Achitophel” is famous for its biblical context, although it is technically a political poem. More specifically, Dryden uses biblical allegory and reference in order to make a statement about the politics and politicians of his time (i.e Charles II). Because of the Bible’s far reaching influence in the Christian European world, it […]
Absalom and Achitophel as a biblical allegory | John Dryden Read More »
At end of Act I, Macbeth declares, “I am settled, and bend up/Each corporal agent to this terrible feat” (I, vii, ll.79-80). Given the witches’ prediction that he will become Scotland’s king, we have ample reason to believe that Macbeth and his partner in regicide, Lady Macbeth, will succeed in their enterprise of murdering Duncan.
Why Does Macbeth Change His Mind About Killing King Duncan? Read More »
Shakespeare’s handling of the three witches or “weird sisters” of Macbeth is in itself equivocal. He assigns them the first dozen lines of the play their proclamation that “fair is foul, and foul is fair” (I, i., .11) setting the tone for the horrid events ahead. When their prediction of Act I, scene iii that
Discuss the Roles of Witches in Macbeth Read More »
Summary of The Spanish Tragedy: Don Andrea, a Spanish nobleman, describes his death in battle with the Portuguese. He also points out that prior to his death he was in love with Bel-Imperia, daughter of the Duke of Castile, a match out of Andrea’s social class. Andrea goes on to describe his soul’s journey to
Thomas Kyd | Summary of The Spanish Tragedy. Read More »
Malcolm is one of King Duncan’s sons, the other being Donalbain. In the early part of the play, he is scarcely present, but overall he has one of the three main speaking parts, the other two being Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Early in the play, Malcolm introduces to King Duncan the sergeant who saved Malcolm
Discuss the Character of Malcolm in Macbeth. Read More »
Macduff, the thane of Fife, is a Scottish nobleman. He travels with Duncan to Macbeth’s castle, and with Lennox, arrives the morning after the king has been murdered to awaken Duncan, but instead finds him dead. Macduff announces to the gathered nobleman, including the king’s sons, that Duncan has been killed. Macduff’s words in the
Discuss the Character of Macduff in Macbeth. Read More »
Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife. When the audience first sees her in I.v, she is reading a letter from Macbeth about his encounter with the weird sisters and about his new title. Lady Macbeth promises to provide Macbeth with the courage he needs to make the prophecy come true, fearing that his nature is too
Discuss the Character of Lady Macbeth. Read More »
Macbeth is nobleman and a Scottish general in the king’s army. At the beginning of the play, he has gained recognition for himself through his defeat of the king of Norway and the rebellious Macdonwald. Shortly after the battle, Macbeth and another of the king’s general’s, Banquo, encounter three witches (or weird sisters) who greet
Discuss the Character of Macbeth. Read More »
Banquo is a Scottish general in the king’s army and Macbeth’s friend. With Macbeth, Banquo helps Duncan’s forces claim victory over the king of Norway and the thane of Cawdor. Following the battle, Banquo and Macbeth encounter the witches, who make several prophesies about Macbeth. They then speak to Banquo about his own future, saying
Discuss the Character of Banquo. Read More »
Themes of Macbeth: In Macbeth, ambition conspires with unholy forces to commit evil deeds which, in their turn, generate fear, guilt and still more horrible crimes. Above all, Macbeth is a character study in which not one, but two protagonists (the title character and Lady Macbeth) respond individually and jointly to the psychological burden of
Themes of Macbeth | William Shakespeare Read More »
