Macbeth: Independence And Failure
Peasants of the early sixteenth century are often pictured carrying a
bundle of limbs tied with vines on their backs. This is a perfect metaphor for
the events in Macbeth. Macbeth is one of many thanes, or limbs, bundled
together. The thanes are united by the king, or the vine. Scotland, or the
peasant, carries the bundle by the sweat of his brow. They carry the bundle
for fires on cold nights, or wars, and to build homes, or castles, to protect
them from the elements, or invaders. If the limbs are tied improperly, one limb
may slip to the side and cause the peasant, or nation, to stumble or fall. If
the limb slides completely out, the rest of the limbs may follow because the
bundle ...
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Lady Macbeth and Macbeth try to separate.
Macbeth is a eighteenth century play written by William Shakespeare. Using
these two metaphors, the breakdown in the relationship between Lady Macbeth and
Macbeth and between the king and the thanes and how they perfectly parallel
each other because each is caused by Macbeth's will to be independent.
According to Webster's dictionary, the archaic definition of
independence is “competence” (1148). To be independent is not to be “subject
to control by others” (Gove 1148). This means that independence is to be in
control of ones decisions and to feel they are good decisions. Macbeth, on the
other hand, feels independence is to not be subordinate to others like the king.
To be independent, one must be strong. Inner strength, not physical
strength, is needed. Inner strength is only accomplished by having a high
self-esteem. Macbeth does not and must use others to reach for independence.
Macbeth needs this strength:
It [Macbeth] ...
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each experiment with external forces to gain
independence from their spouse. Macbeth uses the witches, on which he becomes
increasingly dependent. Lady Macbeth uses alcohol and Satan to “unsex” her and
make her strong (II, ii, 1; I, v, 42). Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth deny
their dependence on their aid, and still require their spouse. Their self
denial of their dependence makes them weak, and the more self denial the weaker
they get. As a married couple, they are splitting away from each other: they
are trying to turn their triangle of dependence into a open square of
independence.
The split between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth becomes apparent with the
assassination of king Duncan. ...
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"Macbeth: Independence And Failure." Essayworld.com. October 28, 2006. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Macbeth-Independence-And-Failure/54684.
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