Psychological Portrayal of Characters in 'Macbeth'
Psychological Portrayal of Characters in 'Macbeth'
Self Introduction :-
Name
: Rahul Desai
Roll
No : 26
Semester
:
1
Paper
No. :
101
Paper Name : Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration Period
Assignment Topic : Psychological Portrayal of characters in ‘Macbeth’
Submitted
To. :
Smt. S.B. Gardi, Department of English
(Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University)
Email
Id :
rahuldesai477@gmail.com
Table of contents :-
➤ Introduction of 'Macbeth' :-
➤ About William Shakespeare :-
➤ Characters Chart of 'Macbeth' :-
➤ Topic :-
1. Motivations and Desires :-
2. Use of soliloquies and monologues :-
3. Psychological Development :-
4. Internal Conflict :-
5. Symbolism and Imagery :-
6. Comparison of Characters :-
7. Mental Stability and Instability :-
8. Psychological Archetypes :-
9. Psychological Theories :-
10. Impact of Self Perception :-
11. Reader's Perspective :-
➤ Conclusion :-
➤ References :-
★ Introduction of 'Macbeth' :-
'Macbeth' is the most famous drama by William Shakespeare, published in the year 1623. Macbeth is the eponymous character of this Shakespearean tragedy. 'Macbeth' is the explore the major themes and tragedy about the life of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The big story about three prophecies, big ambition, fight for the power, believe in allusions, big mistake, etc. The motive of blood is the central role in 'Macbeth'. 'Macbeth' drive the story of quest for power, relations, characters own identity, game of politics, love and betrayal, follow the witches talk and many more things. 'Macbeth' is a very interesting story for the readers and it is very interesting when we watch this drama performance on the stage. First this drama performed in a Globe Theatre. Some famous quotes from William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' like...
"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes." - 'Macbeth', William Shakespeare
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair." - 'Macbeth', William Shakespeare
"Sleep shall neither night nor day, Hang upon his pent house lid." - 'Macbeth', William Shakespeare
"Stands not within the prospect of belief". - 'Macbeth', William Shakespeare
 |
| William Shakespeare (1564-1616) |
★ The writing style of William Shakespeare :-
William Shakespeare mostly written his works of art in Blank Verse. He used the very creative and iconic style of writing. He usually follow the concept of Aristotelian theory of catharsis and hamartia. The pattern most favored by William Shakespeare is iambic pentameter. A character who speaks in verse is a noble or a member of the upper class. Most of Shakespeare's plays focused on these characters. Shakespeare used this style of writing as a form of stage direction. Shakespeare's iconic style of writing attract towards the readers and as well as people to read his works.
★ Works list of William Shakespeare :-
🠊 Plays :-
- "Hamlet" (1603)
- "Othello" (1622)
- "Romeo and Juliet" (1608)
- "King Lear" (1597)
- "Julius Caesar" (1623)
- "Macbeth" (1623) and many more.
The influences of external factors, notably the witches' predictions and Lady Macbeth's manipulation, exacerbate Macbeth's desires. The witches' prophecies act as catalysts, igniting Macbeth's hunger for power by preying on his existing aspirations. Lady Macbeth's ambitious nature and her goading further entrench Macbeth's desires, pushing him to commit heinous deeds in pursuit of securing the throne. This conflict between ambition and morality leads to a profound psychological transformation in Macbeth, where his initial noble intentions decay into a consuming desire for unchecked power, ultimately resulting in his tragic downfall. Through Macbeth's journey, Shakespeare intricately weaves the complexities of human desires, their corrupting influence, and the devastating psychological toll of unchecked ambition.
2. Use of soliloquies and monologues :-
In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' soliloquies and monologues serve as powerful tools for delving into the intricate psychology of characters, as specially Macbeth himself. Through these introspective speeches, Shakespeare offers a window into the inner turmoil, conflicting thoughts, and moral dilemmas plaguing Macbeth's mind. In Macbeth's soliloquies, such as the renowned "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" speech, Macbeth grapples with his deteriorating mental state, horror atmosphere by guilt, and consumed by existential despair. His psychological turmoil is palpable in soliloquies like "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
On the other hand, Lady Macbeth's soliloquies also contribute to the psychological depth of the characters. Lady Macbeth's famous "Unsex me here" soliloquy reveals her ruthless ambition and the internal struggles she faces in manipulating Macbeth and suppressing her own guilt. These moments of introspection provide a deeper understanding of the characters' motives, fears, and the moral decay ensuing from their actions. Her famous "Out, damned spot!" monologue showcases the torment of guilt and a fractured psyche as she tries to wash away the metaphorical bloodstains of their actions.
William Shakespeare's use of soliloquies and monologues becomes a psychological universe, allowing the audience to witness the intricate layers of the characters' conflict, and the harrowing consequences of their choices.
3. Psychological Development :-
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the psychological development of characters, particularly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, unfolds as a tragic exploration of ambition, guilt, and the erosion of moral integrity. Initially depicted as valiant and loyal, Macbeth's psychological journey undergoes a profound transformation spurred by his unchecked ambition for power. As the play progresses, Macbeth's pursuit of maintaining his reign, ultimately culminating in his tragic downfall. On the other side, Lady Macbeth's psychological evolution reveals a character initially driven by ambition and manipulation, yet gradually succumbing to the weight of guilt and remorse, ultimately descending into madness as she grapples with the consequences of their actions. Lady Macbeth's psychological portrayal of blood in the hand and feel the guilt and loneliness.
William Shakespeare masterfully crafts their psychological arcs, illustrating the intricate complexities of human nature and the devastating effects of unchecked ambition and moral compromise.
4. Internal Conflict :-
In 'Macbeth' intricately weaves a tapestry of internal conflict within the characters, notably Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth's internal struggle revolves around conflicting desires: the ambition for power and the moral conscience that initially impedes his ruthless ambition. Macbeth's battle between guilt and quest for power is psyche torn between ambition and a sense of moral responsibility.
Similarly, Lady Macbeth's internal conflict is marked by her initial unyielding ambition juxtaposed with a burgeoning conscience. Both characters face a relentless clash between their unchecked ambitions and the haunting weight of moral conscience, exemplifying the profound internal conflicts that drive the tragic trajectory of the play.
In 'Macbeth' other characters also face the internal conflict in certain ways like...
Banquo experiences internal conflict regarding his suspicious about Macbeth's actions and the prophecies. Then Macduff's grief and desire for revenge become the focal points of his internal conflict, fueling his determination to overthrow Macbeth. Then Malcolm face internal conflict after the death of his father, King Duncan, Malcolm faces a conflict regarding his own readiness and capability to become king.
William Shakespeare's portrayal of these internal struggles serves as a poignant exploration of the human psyche's complexities and the destructive consequences of unchecked desires.
5. Symbolism and Imagery :-
The symbolism and Imagery both are the depend on the psychological portrayal of characters. The recurring motifs of darkness, blood, and the supernatural serve as potent symbols reflecting the character's inner turmoil and moral decay. Darkness symbolizes moral ambiguity and the character's descent into evil, notably seen in Lady Macbeth's plea to "thick night" to conceal her guilt. Blood becomes a visceral representation of guilt and the irreversible consequences of one's actions, haunting both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they grapple with their crimes. supernatural elements, such as the witches and their prophecies, this symbol shaws that the desire and the blurred lines between reality and the occult. These symbolism and Imagery make effects on guilt, hunger for power, visuals character, relations and many other things.
6. Comparison of Characters :-
Each characters are exhibiting distinct psychological traits that contribute to the play's rich narrative. It is a very interesting ways to comparison of characters in 'Macbeth'.
The central comparison lies between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, showcasing contrasting psychological journeys despite their shared ambition for power. Macbeth's psychological evolution evolves from initial reluctance to commit regicide, reflecting a conflicted conscience tormented by ambition. And Lady Macbeth initially embodies a ruthless, ambitious nature, manipulating her husband and suppressing her guilt. Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking episodes and her descent into madness, showcasing the internal turmoil stemming from their shared ambition.
The comparison extends to other characters like Banquo and Macduff, whose contrasting responses to ambition and morality offer nuanced psychological contrasts. These character comparisons serve as intricate psychological mirrors, highlighting the multifaceted dimensions of human nature, ambition's corrupting influence, and the divergent paths individuals take when faced with moral dilemmas in 'Macbeth'.
7. Mental stability and instability :-
Macbeth's gradual descent into instability is evident as his ambition-driven actions lead to paranoia, hallucinations, and a fractured psyche consumed by guilt. Macbeth's mental instability psychological disarray characterized by visions and irrational behaviour. Lady Macbeth, initially a force of unwavering resolve, succumbs to mental instability. Her descent into madness, marked by sleepwalking and obsessive attempts to cleanse her hands of blood, showcases the devastating toll of guilt and the erosion of her psychological stability.
8. Psychological Archetypes :-
psychological archetypes, unveiling universal patterns in human behavior and character dynamics. Macbeth embodies the archetype of the tragic hero consumed by ambition and hubris, paralleling the archetype of the "fallen hero" driven by unchecked ambition and moral downfall. Lady Macbeth represents the archetype of the "femme fatale" or the manipulative temptress, pushing her husband towards achieving their ambitions through manipulation and ruthlessness. Banquo serves as the archetype of the "noble friend" or the moral contrast to Macbeth, showcasing unwavering integrity despite similar encounters with the supernatural. Witches embody the archetype of the "supernatural figures" representing fate and destiny, influencing the characters' psychological paths. These archetypes offer insight into the universal themes of ambition, morality, and fate, enriching the psychological portrayal of characters in 'Macbeth'.
9. Psychological Theories :-
Psychological theories deals with various theories like...
1. Freudian Theory :-
Macbeth's character aligns with Freud's concepts, notably the "Id," representing primal desires, the "superego", symbolizing societal and moral influences, and the "ego", striving for balance between desire and morality.
2. Jungian Theory :-
The characters in "Macbeth" mirror Jung's archetypes, such as Macbeth as the "Shadow" archetype, embodying repressed desires and darker impulses. Lady Macbeth symbolizes the "Anima," representing the unconscious feminine aspects, initially guiding Macbeth's actions.
3. Existentialism :-
Macbeth's existential crisis reflects the search for meaning and identity amidst a world void of inherent purpose.
10. Impact of Self Perception :-
In "Macbeth," self-perception plays a pivotal role in shaping the psychological portrayal of characters, notably Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth's self-perception evolves dramatically throughout the play. He perceives himself as an honorable and loyal warrior, but the witches' prophecies ignite his ambitious desires, altering his self-perception. As he becomes increasingly consumed by ambition, his self-image transforms into that of a power-hungry tyrant, haunted by guilt and paranoia, leading to a fractured sense of self.
Same like, Lady Macbeth's self-perception undergoes a radical shift. At first, she sees herself as a determined and manipulative figure capable of orchestrating Macbeth's rise to power. But, her perception crumbles under the weight of guilt, leading to her descent into madness as she grapples with the haunting consequences of their actions. The characters' changing self-perceptions drive their psychological turmoil, illustrating the profound impact of self-image on their behavior, decisions, and ultimately, their tragic downfall in 'Macbeth'.
11. Reader's Perspective :-
Some readers may see him as a murderer, butcher and tyrant while there are some others who clearly see him as the personification of devil. Readers witness the characters' internal struggles, moral dilemmas, and transformations through a subjective lens shaped by their interpretations. The perception of characters' actions, motivations, and psychological depth varies among readers, influencing their empathy or judgment towards the characters. Others might perceive him as a villain driven solely by ambition, lacking moral compass. Readers may view Lady Macbeth's actions either as a calculated pursuit of power or as a tragic figure succumbing to guilt and madness. Banquo shows no psychological disturbance and demand the witches speak about him:
To me you speak not.
If you can look into the seeds of time,
And say which grain will grow and which will not,
Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear
Your favours nor your hate. (1.3.55-59)
The reader's perspective shapes the interpretation of the characters' psychological complexities, moral dilemmas, and the impact of external influences, providing diverse insights into the psychological depth portrayed in 'Macbeth'. Readers' varying perspectives contribute to the richness and depth of the psychological portrayal of characters in Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth'.
Conclusion :-
The psychological portrayal of characters in "Macbeth" showcases the intricate complexities of human nature, illustrating the profound impact of ambition, guilt, and moral conflict on individuals. It is too interesting to study about this topic in detail. Through this topic learn about the major themes like.. darkness, motive of blood, tragedy, relations, love and betrayal, horrible moments, and supernatural elements. Study about characters, study about comparison, study about Shakespeare's style of writing and many more things, its all about quite very interesting to study and reading about it.
References :-
➤ “Comparing Characters in Macbeth and the Social Network.” Bartleby, https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Comparing-Characters-In-Macbeth-And-The-Social-P3MVMB39D47W
➤ Macbeth: Oldbury Wells, PMT Education ,licensed under: CCBY-NC-ND4.O. https://www.oldburywells.com/media/22305/character-profiles-macbeth-aqa-english-literature-gcse.pdf
➤ Salami, Ali. The Aesthetic Response: The Reader in Macbeth, 2012, https://philarchive.org/archive/SALTAR-3
➤ Shakespeare, William, et al. Macbeth. Fingerprint Publishing , 2019. ISBN: 9389178517
➤ Mental stability https://edubirdie.com/examples/macbeth-by-william-shakespeare-possible-mental-illnesses-of-macbeth/
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