Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
3 March 2009
Macbeth: Act 5
The themes in the final act of "Macbeth" are much the same as those of other acts being about death, guilt, pride, and power. Since becoming king Macbeth has become cruel and arrogant and has abused the power he has. He murdered innocent people as well as inflicting undeserved punishment just to show his greatness. An example of this is when the messenger came to warn him of the moving forest and he says, "If thou speak'st false, upon the next ree shall thou hang alive" (5.5.44-45). This is showing that Macbeth thinks down upon others and even though this messenger just wants to help him out it would be a good chance for him to show off his power so others do not think to mess with him. Along with this, Macbeth is also a very proud man because even with everything he has gone through he never backs down. He says, "I will not yield to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet" (5.8.32-33). Pride is also prevalant among others charactersm, for example Siward. When he thinks Macduff has died while fighting Macbeth he states, "Had I as many sons as I have hairs, I would not wish them to a fairer death" (5.8.56-57). This means that he thinks bringing down such an awful tyrant is such an honorable deed that dying in the act of it is a very honorable and respectable death.
Another thing that continues into act five is the image of blood. Blood continues to represent death and guilt. Lady Macbeth sepecially uses the image of blood to show her feelings about the murders she took part in. She says, "The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean? No more o' that, my lore, no more o' that" (5.1.44-46). This shows her feelings on the death of Macduff's wife because she was innocent and wasn't part of any of the plots to take the crown away from Macbeth. Lady Macbeth feels these murders are getting out of hand now that wives and children, like herself, are being killed. Another instance where she mentions blood to symbolize how guilty she feels is when she says, "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand" (5.1.53-55). By this, Lady Macbeth is saying how awful these murders are and there is nothing in the world that can make better these awful acts.
Another thing that continues into act five is the image of blood. Blood continues to represent death and guilt. Lady Macbeth sepecially uses the image of blood to show her feelings about the murders she took part in. She says, "The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean? No more o' that, my lore, no more o' that" (5.1.44-46). This shows her feelings on the death of Macduff's wife because she was innocent and wasn't part of any of the plots to take the crown away from Macbeth. Lady Macbeth feels these murders are getting out of hand now that wives and children, like herself, are being killed. Another instance where she mentions blood to symbolize how guilty she feels is when she says, "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand" (5.1.53-55). By this, Lady Macbeth is saying how awful these murders are and there is nothing in the world that can make better these awful acts.
No comments:
Post a Comment