Nick Miller

Period 3
Macbeth Exam Essays
Due: 2-23-10

Question #1

There are few literary works in today’s world that can truly be considered great.

Having said that there are some specific things needed for a work to be considered great.

The criteria of being called “great,” based on the four topics provided, are all relative to

Macbeth.

Macbeth contains many colorful themes within its text. One major theme of

Macbeth is the element of “violence and the willingness to kill” to achieve ones

ambitions. The theme of violence could be considered great for a couple of reasons. One

of these reasons is that it is a very serious topic especially since everyone involved with

the violence is not just hurt but killed. A second reason why this theme could be

considered great is that it defines a characters slip from reality by showing his complete

lack of empathy when a character is murdered. However, this theme connects directly to

another theme in the play. It transitions perfectly in to the theme of “desire for power.”

These two link very well because these characters use of violence to obtain what they

want.

A second topic of being considered great is that it is written in noble language.

This is evident throughout parts of Macbeth, especially when Shakespeare writes in

iambic pentameter. However he also contrasts this by using prose at other times. He

changes his style of writing to represent what a character is feeling or how in touch with
reality the character is. This change in styles combined with his word choice shows that

Macbeth was written in the most noble of languages.

Macbeth is also considered “great” because it speaks across the ages. This

becomes very obvious as about 400 years after it was written we are still reading and

analyzing it today. However Macbeth still teaches us lessons and conveys messages to

today’s world. It shows us how violence can affect one’s character and create a true

detach from reality. It also preaches the importance of being content with what one has

versus being envious and greedy for what one does not have. These messages will speak

to every generation to come and offers true value to anyone who cares to understand it.

Finally, Macbeth speaks to us individually. The play does this by teaching the

readers about the consequence of allowing one’s petty ideas of a perfect life to detach

them from the real life that surrounds them. One specific example is the negative effects

when Macbeth hears the witches’ prophecy causing him to desire more than he should

want or could ever need. This allows us all to realize that it is okay to have goals and

dreams, but it teaches us to be realistic in setting them and to never allow our goals

prevent us from living the lives we have. One should pursue their dreams, but not let

them destroy their life.

After having read Macbeth it is apparent that many people would call it a “great”

play based on its previously stated merits. There valid points for all four qualities and

irrefutable evidence behind these points. One cannot comprehend how someone else

could disagree with this play being called a great.

 Question #3

The Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth contains a pair of (star-crossed) lovers,

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The beginning of the story allows us to infer that they live a

lavish life that has been bestowed on them by the Noble King Duncan. However,

Macbeth seems to be easily persuaded by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth says that she

wants the best for her husband, but I believe that she only wants power for herself. She

makes excuses so that she needs not get blood on her hands in the murder of Duncan. It

seems as though in the beginning of the story Lady Macbeth is power hungry and very

persuasive over Macbeth.

Their marriage begins to deteriorate after they murder Duncan. This is because of

a change in both of the characters’ personalities. Lady Macbeth acts as if nothing has

happened and insults a grief stricken and remorseful Macbeth. Macbeth allows his quest

for power to overtake him and eventually sees killing his “problems” as the best solution.

He has his best friend Banquo murdered as if it was nothing. Macbeth begins to

hallucinate due to his grievances and Lady Macbeth only scolds him for his actions when

she should have been offering him help. At this point, their relationship is intact but

slipping away.

After a string of murders, Macbeth allows his ego to defend him from any harm

and he is turned stone cold. Macbeth becomes what Lady Macbeth has asked of him, but

at the same time Lady Macbeth has slipped away from reality as well. Macbeth has

become crazy and paranoid, and does not seem to interact with Lady Macbeth at all.

Lady Macbeth has fallen into a state of psychosis that allows her to express her truly

grave feelings about the murders that occurred, all while sleepwalking. This is the end of
Macbeth and Lady Macbeths’ relationship. They have fallen apart all due to their greed

and envious lust for power. Lady Macbeth kills herself and Macbeth simply states that he

does not have the time to grieve for her, because he is about to face the battle of his life.

The Macbeths’ relationship found itself on a slippery road to hell. The two

characters’ slip into insanity from committing murder caused a lack of their

communication and violently ended the relationship. They are both at fault for this

happening and it is a truly tragic idea. When greed and lust for power become the basis

of a relationship, it is doomed to fail and that statement held true in this example. The

truly unfortunate piece of information is that they allowed themselves to ruin many other

people’s lives not just their own.