Abstract
This paper discusses the main theme of William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth" as the reversal of values and of nature itself, triggered by the evil actions and murders of Macbeth and his wife. The paper presents quotes from scenes in the play in order to illustrate this theme. It suggests that Shakespeare's play advocates that any kind of evil is a crime against nature itself, against human nature and against the divine order of the universe.

From the Paper
"The Tragedy of Macbeth is definitely Shakespeare's most violent play. The main theme of the play is the reversal of values and of nature itself, triggered by the evil actions and murders of Macbeth and his wife. The reversal of the natural order is announced from the introductory lines of the play, in the discourse of the three witches: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"(1.1.12) The main plot of the play, the killing of Duncan, the king of Scotland, is a common subject for tragedy during the Renaissance age, and a recurrent one in Shakespeare's plays. The belief that royalty was foreordained by divinity explains why the act of murdering a king was considered as a reversal of order and of values. When the murder is done, the old man significantly proclaims it as "unnatural", comparing it to the killing of a falconer by an owl. Thus, throughout the play, there are direct hints to the reversal of nature caused by the dreadful murders, as well as descriptions that reveal absolute natural disorder, like the sun's refusal to shine for example. The murderous acts are seen thus as a menace against the basic order of the universe itself."

Tags:murder, Duncan, divine

Abstract
This paper examines role reversal in "MacBeth" and in Hanal Al-Shaykh's novel, "Women of Sand and Myrrh" deciding that the women actually produce something different. The paper provides the argument that women have not always been as stereotyped and that in sexist societies they can have their own power, behind the throne. The paper discusses how although society today tends to see women as timid victims who are oppressed, this is not quite the scenario in Lady MacBeth and the characters living in Saudi Arabia as described by Al-Shaykh.

From the Paper
"One grows used to references made to women as always disadvantaged or having second class status in relation to men. Women are assumed to be subservient and oppressed, particularly in the past, or in Muslim cultures of today. This paper shows that this is not always the case, in a discussion of Shakespeare's "MacBeth" and the rather notorious character of Lady MacBeth who definitely overpowers men in the play. In a second example that addresses a Muslim society, Al Shaykh's "Women of Sand & Myrrh"..."

Tags:grade 12, al, shaykh, macbeth

Abstract
This paper examines William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth" and discusses how the persuasion that the character of Macbeth faces, both external and internal, leaves him in a state of vulnerability that ultimately leads to his fate. The paper talks about the influence of Lady Macbeth who persuades Macbeth to commit murder and treason and the influence of the three witches who direct Macbeth's decisions and actions through their magical prophecies and supernatural powers.

From the Paper
"With their ability to foretell the future, The Three Witches easily manipulate Macbeth. When Macbeth meets The Witches, they reveal some very important prophecies to him, "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter" (1.3.48-50). Shakespeare's depiction of The Witches exposes Macbeth's vulnerability to the power of the supernatural. Macbeth's belief in the predictions reveal his weak-mind and spirit. These predictions are what become the root of Macbeth's problems, making him an easy person to persuade and corrupt. The persuasion of Lady Macbeth is revealed when she takes advantage of her husband in order to achieve personal benefit."

Tags:vulnerability, Lady, Macbeth, witches, murder, treason

Abstract
This paper discusses how Shakespeare uses several techniques to make act II scene ii dramatic. It analyzes the theatrical and rhetorical methods used with examples from several quotations. In particular, it looks at how Shakespeare uses the themes of the supernatural, madness and religion, to show that the murder of Duncan is wrong and that only bad things will come of it. It also takes into account the fact that "Macbeth" was written for King James I, who was fascinated by witches and the divine right of Kings and the fact that it was written to be performed rather than read.

From the Paper
"Macbeth then claims to have heard a voice cry out that Macbeth has murdered sleep and that every one should wake up. This reveals that he is very nervous as he is hearing voices in his head proclaiming his crime. This is another link to a recurring theme in "Macbeth" that of nature proclaiming his crime to everyone. One quote to illustrate this is "for fear thy very stones prate of my whereabouts." Incidentally, the number of times sleep is mentioned in this soliloquy is thirteen a number that was, and still is, associated with evil. Furthermore, this continues the theme of sleeplessness started by Banquo in Act II Scene ii with "Yet I would not sleep," and continued later in the play with Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking."

Tags:banquo, dagger, divine, duncan, god, king, lady, murder, natural, nature, order, unnatural

Abstract
This essay discusses how the characterizations of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are enhanced by contrast in the scenes that precede and follow the murder of Duncan in Act 11. Macbeth undergoes a frightening change in his fortune -- a change for which he himself bears at least a partial responsibility. Lady Macbeth is directly involved in this transition.

Tags:macbeth, lady, macbeth

Abstract
An analysis of "Macbeth" which presents an in depth contrast between the similarities and dissimilarities of the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth through out the play. This paper also reviews the transformation of personalities of the leading characters at the beginning and at the end of the play. The paper concentrates on how the lust for power can make a person once so powerful so powerless.

Tags:macbeth

Abstract
"Macbeth", possibly one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, is most well-known for its striking portrayal of a decorated Scottish general and his wife and their quest for absolute power. This paper focuses on the topic of evil combined with unrestrained ambition in Shakespeare's "Macbeth". It considers possible explanations for Macbeth's murders and analyzes the text to determine why Macbeth turned to evil.

From the Paper
"MacBeth, possibly one of Shakespeare's most well known plays, is most well known for its striking portrayal of a decorated Scottish general and his wife and their quest for absolute power. Shakespeare's shortest tragedy is also known for its study of human nature, namely, the conflict between the forces of good and evil in the human psyche. Like all tragic heroes, Lord MacBeth has a fatal flaw: ambition. This flaw consumes him throughout the course of the play leading to his inevitable downfall at its conclusion. However, MacBeth is not simply Shakespeare's study of ambition; its focus is much more precise. MacBeth is a study of the evil to which ambition leads when unrestrained by morals."

Tags:ambition, evil, macbeth, shakespeare

Abstract
This paper analyzes the three motifs of clothing used to help explain the ambition within the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare. The symbolic use of clothing often helps provide a deeper meaning to why Macbeth seeks to gain the throne and at any cost. The paper further discusses how his ambition is not completely self reliant as his wife, Lady Macbeth, ridicules him and forces him into complying with the murder of Duncan.

From the Paper
"In this drama study, the theme of ambition will be analyzed in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. By analyzing three motifs of clothing within this tragedy, the theme of ambition will be revealed in how Macbeth yearns for power as the King of Scotland. By observing Shakespeare's use of symbolism in clothing, one can realize the message that is being presented throughout the play that realizes the greed for power that Macbeth desires. In essence, the motif of clothing will bring forth the theme of ambition within this Macbeth by William Shakespeare."

Tags:ambition, duncan-macbeth

Abstract
This paper is an analysis of Shakespeare's play "Macbeth." "Macbeth" is the study of an honorable man and the savior of his country, falling through the turmoil of evil and corruption and ultimately becoming an unnatural man, isolated from his kinsmen, and meeting his inevitable demise. It deals with the effects of evil in "Macbeth" on four different levels of destruction: that of the fallen man, that of his family, that of the state and that of the physical universe.

From the Paper
"Often in literature, the forces of evil play a major part in the downfall of the protagonist. As Lennox expresses to Macbeth: "The night has been unruly: where we lay,/ Our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say,/ Lamentings heard with air, strange screams of death,/ And prophesying with accents terrible/ Of dire combustion and confused events/ New hatched to the woeful time." (Shakespeare 2.3 54-59) Ironically, he was telling of the horrors from the night before, when King Duncan was slain in his bed, while in actuality Macbeth had done the slaying. Shakespeare's play Macbeth is a "complex study of evil and its corrupting influence on humanity." (Richards, 236) It is also the study of an honorable man and the savior of his country, falling through the turmoil of evil and corruption and ultimately becoming an unnatural man, isolated from his kinsmen, and meeting his inevitable demise. The evil unleashed by Macbeth expands into even more evils that effect humanity on all four different levels of creation: that of the fallen man, that of his family, his state, and of the physical universe."

Tags:corruption, evil, macbeth, Shakespeare, Lennox

Abstract
The paper examines how black magic is the sole representative of the lines analyzed in this study, which reflect the reliance on the three witches that Macbeth relied upon in depicting his destiny. The paper shows how through Macbeth's ignorance and greed, he was unable to counteract the messages given by the witches, which ultimately brought about his tragic and violent death. The paper demonstrates how black magic plays a large part in the destiny of Macbeth's fate, as seen through the rituals and actions on the three witches in the beginning of Act Four.

From the Paper
"In Act Four, scene i, the three witches are brewing the desired ingredients to help create the foundations for a black magic process that will give Macbeth the answers he is looking for in his destiny. Through the play, especially in Act III, the basis of black magic and the various formulas are revealed in the language of the text. The precepts of magic are defined in the language Shakespeare used to define this process. The First Witch claims: "Round about the cauldron go/ In the poison'd entrails throw" (Shakespeare 4.1 4-5). The dancing shamanic actions of the women in Shakespeare's imagery help one to realize the movement and ritual that is the process of creating a vision through the burning cauldron at their feet."

Tags:shakespeare, macbeth, horror