How does Shakespeare use Characters and Language to Discuss evil Essay Example

uses language and characters to gives us an overall impression that evil is driven by a number of things. Greed, power and determination.

In the play through the character of Macbeth Shakespeare displays that everybody has the potential within them for evil. When Macbeth is at war you hear from a sergeants in act 1 scene 2 at a camp near Forres that Macbeth is a brutal and savage person.

"He unseemed him from the nave to the chaps and fixed his head upon our battlements"

In this quotation Shakespeare uses language to give the reader the impression that Macbeth is a very vicious and wicked person. He uses words such as "unseemed" to trivialize the action to make it seem like Macbeth was almost splitting apart this human being like his was a piece of thin petty clothing. He also uses that word to give us the impression that he did it with absolutely no respect and with a large amount of ease.

He then uses the phrase "from the nave to the chaps" to explain Macbeth's vile cutting action. This gives the reader the idea that he cut him from top to bottom severely and considering no amount of dignity or respect for this person.

To finish Shakespeare uses the phrase "and fixed his head upon our battlements". Here Shakespeare again uses words and language to present an influence on the reader that not only did Macbeth kill this person harshly, he then cut of the persons head and stuck it on a spike. Overall I think in the quotation Shakespeare uses language and character to present the image that Macbeth is an evil and harsh person who

kills unsympathetically beyond the call of self-defense.

Also through the character of Macbeth Shakespeare shows how ironic evil can be.

"O Valiant, cousin, worthy gentlemen"

Shakespeare uses the character Macbeth and language to show how ironic evil can be. Firstly Macbeth is being praised for doing an evil deed. Evil is normally depicted as a horrific and wrong thing. In this quotation I think that Shakespeare paints an image that people are immoral and wrong to praise evil. Secondly they are uses words such as "gentlemen" to describe Macbeth. That is very ironic as from the last quote you can see that Macbeth is anything but gentle. Also Shakespeare uses language such as "cousin" to show that the king (Duncan) considers himself closer to Macbeth almost like family after he has taken part in evil.

The praises to Macbeth doesn't stop there.

"For brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name". Again here Shakespeare has made clever use of language in this quote to personify and enforce people's praise of bravery to Macbeth. I think in these two quotes Shakespeare has used the character Macbeth and language to make us infer that evil is ironic. Also I think that Shakespeare has used language and the character to show that evil can be interpreted in two ways. Is it good or bad? Here Macbeth shows the good side of evil and what it brings Macbeth but he also shows the bad side of evil. Overall in this play he shows both the 'foul' and 'fair' sides of evil.

Overall I think that through the character of Macbeth Shakespeare sets out to show a number of things about evil. One thing I think that

isn't directly said is what Macbeth symbolizes. I get the impression from the text that Shakespeare uses Macbeth to symbolize determination. As he does everything to the extreme and also he is a sturdy and stubborn character.

" I will not yield, to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet"

In this quote Shakespeare has used language to show that Macbeth is a determined person. Even though Macbeth is near the end, he is heavily out numbered to a blood thirsty army even then he still continues to be determined and dares to take them on. This really does show pure determination and something that I think Shakespeare tried to symbolize strongly within the character of Macbeth through out the play.

The writer of the play Shakespeare also uses the characters the witches to show many ideas and concepts of evil. In general witches are a immensely strong representation of evil. Everybody normally depicts witches as evil people. At the beginning of the play Shakespeare uses language to continue this preconception.

" When shall we three meet again?

In Thunder, lightening or in ran?"

"When the Hurlyburly's done

When the battles lost and won"

In these two quotes Shakespeare uses language to create an evil image. He uses rhyming couplets to emphasize the way the witches are talking. He also uses to language to show that the witches are talking in an evil way. They are almost chanting. He also uses very negative words such as "Thunder," "Lightening" and "rain" to make the witches sound evil. He has used language to a good use and has purposely only used negative words to make them seem evil.

Also Shakespeare uses the witches to show the

temptation of evil. The witches entice and tempt Macbeth and show him what he can do and what it will give him. They desperately try to entice Macbeth in evil. They entice him cleverly though. Through language Shakespeare shows this.

First witch - "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis"

Second Witch - "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cowdor!"

Third witch - "All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter"

In those quotations above in Act 1 Scene 3 the witches tell Macbeth of his future. Shakespeare uses language in such a way to which they are not really just saying it to him you could be King they are saying you will be king. I think that Shakespeare gives the reader the thought that the witches are stirrers. They will plant ideas in people's heads and let them grow. They won't directly be evil themselves but they will let other people do there dirty work for them. Overall I think that he is bringing an proposal that evil uses people to get what it wants.

In the following quotation Shakespeare again uses language to bring together many ideas of evil.

"Fair is foul and foul is fair"

Shakespeare uses that language to bring together the idea that what was bad is now good and what was good is not bad. Overall Shakespeare gives the reader the impression that evil is inescapable. It is everywhere. Good things are bad and bad thing are good. I think from that use of language Shakespeare is trying to show that evil is in everything.

Also in that quote I think that Shakespeare is saying another thing. That the witches are going

to pervert and twist Macbeth's mind and change his morals on what is right and wrong. They are going to make him think that good things are bad and that bad things are good.

Another quote, which shows the witches perverting and manipulating, is the following.

"Hover through the fog and filthy air"

In this quote Shakespeare has used language and characters to give the reader an impression that the witches are going to pollute and corrupt the air much in the same way they are going to do with Macbeth. They are going to change how Macbeth thinks and considers things and also his moral values.

Another point that Shakespeare makes clear through the witches is that they are strange abnormal beings.

"But in a sieve t thither sail

And live a rat without a tail"

In this quote Shakespeare has used some strong dramatic similes and metaphors to create a hideously ugly distorted image of a deformed rat trying to sail in the sea in a sieve. Also again he is using rhyming couplets to make it seem that the witches are chanting rather than speaking.

Shakespeare also uses assonance and alliteration in the language he uses.

"Aroint thee, witch!' the rump - fed ranyon cries"

In this quotation Shakespeare has used assonance (poetic language) and alliteration (identifiable repetition with letters) to make the sentence dramatic and also like the witches are growling (from the alliteration of 'R'). Also he has purposely used the language and the structure of the sentence so that not many vowels are sounded which makes the sentence sound calm and also very difficult to pronounce almost like a tongue twister. Here Shakespeare has used language to show that

evil is not simple. Evil is not all it seems and also that evil is ambiguous as saying that sentence sounds calming but remember the true meaning of the sentence is definitely not calming.

Shakespeare uses the character Banquo in the play to show the compelling contrast between him and Macbeth. Good and evil. Right and wrong. Banquo just like Macbeth is given the choice of a path of evil but he doesn't choose it. In fact Banquo has certainly has no intention of becoming evil.

"You shall be king"

He says to Macbeth. Here Shakespeare has used character and language to show that even though evil is a powerful, manipulating and seductive it doesn't always win. Here we can see that Banquo who has had every opportunity to be evil and become king like Macbeth does not want to be part of it. He openly hands over it to Macbeth. I think through the character of Banquo Shakespeare is trying to say that evil is a powerful force yes but it doesn't always win and not everybody yields to it.

Also I think another reason why Shakespeare has used Banquo is two show the other side to the story. How Macbeth could have been, do you see anything bad happening to Banquo that hasn't been inflicted by Macbeth. You don't. So really he is there to show that this is the way it could have been. In general he is saying that evil is a bad thing because you can see how nice, happy and untroubled Banquo is without Evil. Is Macbeth like that with evil?

Banquo is there once more to show how power demented and ludicrous Macbeth

is. Macbeth has a detrimental obsession with winning it seems, he is a very determined person. He even kills his long committed and dedicated friend.

Overall I think through the character of Banquo that Shakespeare is trying to symbolize that he is Macbeth's good side. A side to Macbeth that will always exist as long as Banquo is alive. Also I think that Shakespeare is saying that evil does affect you when you are part of it, in Banquo you can see the contrast from Macbeth.

This leads on to Macduffs family and how Shakespeare uses the characters of them in the play to gives us a clearer idea of evil. Shakespeare uses the characters of Macduffs family to represent innocence. Shakespeare plays and uses the idea that women and children are defenseless. In using these characters he also shows how evil has over come Macbeth and is driving him to do this.

The character of Lady Macbeth is also used by Shakespeare to discuss and show how evil has affected Lady Macbeth. How it has changed her. Also he shows through the character of Lady Macbeth that has an unnatural and strange side. He uses language and Lady Macbeth to give the reader this idea.

"That tend on mortal thoughts! Unsex me here"

In this quote Lady Macbeth is saying change me! Change me from everything womanly like being tender, loving and pityful and change me into a savage brutal being who has no limits of evil and unkindness and no thoughts of guilt. From this we can infer that Lady Macbeth is unnatural and inhumane as who would willing want to be savage and be a bad person.

Evil has changed her and affected so much that she wants to be like that so that she can go ahead with these deeds. Overall in this quote Macbeth uses language and character to make it seem that evil changes people dramatically and also that Lady Macbeth has been changed from normal to bizarre.

Another idea of evil that Shakespeare shows through Lady Macbeth is the idea that evil is persuasive and tempting. Through out the play evil is shown as being tempting. She does this in a very manipulating way. When Macbeth is having doubts about doing the murderous deed he is quickly convinced and tempted by Lady Macbeth. She uses reverse sociology.

"Come to my woman's breasts, and my milk for gall, you murdering minister wherever in your sightless substances"

Here Shakespeare has used language to give the reader the impression that she is willing to kill here own baby born of her. Shakespeare has used this character and language I think to show that evil is tempting and it is doing this by being manipulative. So really through the character of Lady Macbeth Shakespeare enforces his idea that evil is manipulative and also that evil is persuasive and tempting.

That is not the only way though that Shakespeare shows that evil is manipulative. Again in the character of Lady Macbeth he shows her being manipulative. She makes Macbeth feel like he is not a man by making out it is not a big deal and that like the deed is easy and any normal man would do it. Overall she makes Macbeth feel derisory and laughable, to make him do what she wants.

I think one major

issue that Shakespeare raises about evil is the fact that Lady Macbeth under estimates the power of evil.

"Out, damned spot! Out say!

Yet who would of thought the old man

Have has so much blood in him"

In this quote, which Lady Macbeth says, we can see that Shakespeare has used a character and language to give us the impression that she has underestimated the power of evil and also guilt. "Out damned spot". From this language we can infer that Lady Macbeth thought that evil was something small like a spot. Something not at all commanding or dominant. "Yet who would of have though the old man have had so much blood in him". From this language we can gather that she has hugely misjudged evil. The word "Blood" gives the reader the idea that it represents guilt. As we know there is a lot of blood in a body. Here then Shakespeare has showed us that Lady Macbeth has underestimated guilt greatly. He represents guilt with the idea of blood pouring out of a dead body. By and large here Shakespeare has given us the impression that guilt is powerful and that people underestimate it too easily.

Ultimately through Lady Macbeth though I think that Shakespeare is symbolizing that Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's loving, caring, fond, affectionate and compassionate side. It is clear that she is the love his life and in the end you will see why.

A negative and unconstructive side about evil, which is discussed in the play, is the idea of unavoidable and inescapable guilt that you will never leave you. Guilt, which is so zealous and strong that it, takes control of you

and revolutionizes and posses you, into something exceptionally hideous and sickening. Shakespeare shows it to takes control of you and masters you. Shakespeare presents this idea to you using characters and language.

As I have said before Shakespeare uses the character Banquo to symbolize the good side of Macbeth. The death of Banquo is a major event in the play as an idea of evil. Macbeth kills Banquo we know. Did he kill him just so he wouldn't tell anybody what had happened, to keep his secret? I think that Shakespeare through the characters of Banquo and Macbeth and the event gives us the reaction that Macbeth didn't kill him just so nobody would know what happened. Oh no Shakespeare used this to show how guilt stricken Macbeth was and how that he thought if he killed his good side (Banquo) maybe he wouldn't feel so bad because he would have a good side which would have his conscience on. Here Shakespeare has used characters and a situation to gives us the idea that evil has caused guilt, which is driving Macbeth to the limit.

This idea of getting rid of guilt caused by evil is similar to Lady Macbeth trying to get rid of her guilt.

"My hands are of your colour, but I shame

to wear a heart so white. I hear knocking a

knocking at the south entry; retire we to our

chamber; a little water clears us of this deed;"

In this quote Lady Macbeth says that she too, is guilty.

"My hands are of your colour"

She admits that she too is responsible and equally guilty.

She continues to say

" A little water clears us of this deed"

Here Shakespeare again

shows us that she thinks that her guilt and conscience is easy to get rid of. This quote and language used reinforces the idea that evil is underestimated. Also it shows the people can not escape guilt, there is guilt and it wont go away.

The language used in that quote gives the reader an impression about how evil effects people and what it makes people do. Also how they think that evil is something they can easily be escaped from and that it wont bother them and that they can simply wash away they blood and therefore guilt.

Another way in which Shakespeare represented the idea of inescapable guilt was the ghost of Banquo, which continually haunts Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the ghost to show that guilt is inescapable and that it will always catch up with you. I think that Shakespeare uses the character of Banquo's ghost here to show that evil produces a conscience and that conscience cannot be rid of. Also I think that through the character of the ghost Shakespeare discuss' that the truth will always prevail.

Another issue I think that Shakespeare discuss' through language and a character is the subject that once you have done an evil act you can't go back on it.

"I am in blood stepp'd so far, that, should I wade no more returning were as tedious as go o'er"

In this quote we can see that through language Shakespeare has presented this idea. The word blood remember is symbolic for guilt. So he is saying really I am in so much GUILT that I can't return. This language used gives the reader a clear idea that evil brings guilt,

which brings this.

Another way that guilt and conscience is represented in the play is the character of Lady Macbeth. I have already showed that she underestimates guilt and that I think that Shakespeare uses her to show this. Also her fate is representation of evil. Macbeth is also used to show the underestimation of guilt as his fate shows as well.

At the end of the play Shakespeare the writer brings together the idea of evil overall through the characters and language. That in due course evil destroys entirely everything, everything at all. At the end of the play Macbeth has lost the whole lot. Firstly his wife commits suicide due to guilt twisting, playing and manipulating her mind.

"She should of died hereafter

There would have been a time for such for such a word"

In this quote Shakespeare has used language to have an effect on the reader. The effect he gives is that he doesn't care. He really doesn't seemed bother. He basically says she would of died anyway sometime after this (which is true because everybody dies) but he just has no emotion when he says it. You can tell with the language used and also what type words are used that he has no longer got any sense of emotion. Overall here I think Shakespeare makes the readers infer that Macbeth has lost his sense of emotion due to evil and more important the love of his life due to evil. Why did his wife commit suicide? From evil came guilt.

Another quote that shows us that Macbeth has lost everything is the following.

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player"

Here Shakespeare uses language to

show how Macbeth is feeling. Firstly he uses the word 'but'. This word has a effect on the audience. In the context it is said in, it appears as a sigh. Life's BUT a walking shadow. This gives the impression to the audience that Macbeth is fed up of his life and finds it trivial. Here Shakespeare has used language and the character Macbeth to give this impression to the audience.

The metaphor "walking shadow" is used to make you think that he has no control in his life. You are given the impression that his life is a walking shadow and a walking shadow has no physical power to do anything. So in that way I think it was used to show that Macbeth is now weak as he has no physical power.

Also I think that it was used to make you think that he doesn't actually live his life anymore. In the way you can watch a shadow but at the same time the shadow is living as it's moving but physically it is not alive. It is a complicated thing to understand but the shadow is Macbeth on the outside but inside its nothing. I think that's how Macbeth life is now being portrayed and that's what you can infer from the language that it is Macbeth on the outside but inside its nothing but an empty lifeless figure.

" A poor player" is used again to give the audience a clear message about evil. The language 'poor player' makes you infer that now Macbeth is a loser, as a poor player would never win a game. Also I think the word 'poor' has

been used to contrast with the word 'rich'. If you are rich you are better of than a 'poor' person and Macbeth considers himself poor in this way. So really he is comparing his wealth to nothing and reducing his importance at the same time. In a way I think that he is also comparing his life to physical value and by saying he is poor I think he is saying that he life is worthless now.

Overall with the quote I think that Shakespeare has used language to show the audience Macbeth has completely lost his outlook on life. He is now not positive at all.

Another way that language is used to give an impression is in the following way.

"Creeps in this petty pace from day to day"

In this quote language again is used to make you think that now Macbeth life has no value or meaning. He uses the word 'creeps' to make you think that he is a crippled person that cannot fully work. The phrase 'from day to day' makes you think that everyday that Macbeth now lives is meaningless. The overall impression that I think the audience gets from this is that his life is now the same everyday and pointless.

The way language is used to show Macbeth has lost everything continues with this quote.

"...It is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing"

The language used in this again tells the audience a great deal about how Macbeth's life is now. He describes a life as a 'tale'. I think that this word gives the audience the impression that his life is not real or at

least doesn't seem real. It's just a tale which people can't believe because they are so unbelievable.

Also I think that this language makes the readers have the intuition that his life is a tale that is being told by an idiot, somebody who is incapable of telling the story without ruining it.

Overall in this play I think and feel that Shakespeare uses an assortment of language and variety of different characters and representations (e.g. the witches) to explore and explain many ideas and hypotheses about evil.

In the play he shows that evil is powered and fueled by greed and determination. Also he shows that people underestimate evil greatly and that evil should be avoided as it has more negative sides than positive.

He also shows all the bad and good sides that come with evil. Shakespeare shows that there are extremely few good things that come with evil and the good things that do come with evil are short lived (e.g. Macbeth becoming king).

He also shows the immense list of bad things. Guilt is shown when Macbeth has hallucinations and Lady Macbeth talks to herself in her sleep. Conscience is shown when Lady Macbeth and Macbeth show their emotions and are continually tormented by ghosts and also by thoughts. Jealously is shown when Macbeth is jealous of the king. Death is shown greatly as many people die including the king, Banquo and even some of the guards who were wrongly accused.

Other bad things, which are shown to be associated with evil, are self-preservation, manipulation, revenge, hate, control, insanity, vanity, selfishness, insecurity, tainted life's and betrayal through out the whole play he discuss' these ideas. In conclusion

Shakespeare shows evil can never be estimated. It's something, which can't be defined or titled. I think that through many characters he suggests that evil is one, chooseable, two dangerous and three, deadly!