3) I, personally, do sympathize with MacBeth. We all have our own morals, as well as that one person in our life for whom we would completely ignore those morals (Spouse, family, closest friends). For MacBeth, that one person was Lady MacBeth. I feel that MacBeth's downfall evokes both pity and terror. On one hand, you a terrified of either making the same mistakes as MacBeth or angering somebody who has made the same mistakes as MacBeth. On the other hand, you pity the fact that his downfall was caused by the fact that MacBeth was so easily influenced by Lady MacBeth. Based on the following definition, http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/tragedy/aristotle.htm, MacBeth fits five of the six traits of a tragic hero. MacBeth was born into nobility and is great, as mentioned by the captain in Act I, scene ii.MacBeth does have a tragic flaw. Some would say that the flaw was Lady MacBeth's influence on him, some would say it was his ambition, but tragic flaws were usually one of the Seven Deadly Sins. In MacBeth's case, it is Pride. MacBeth did bring his downfall upon himself. MacBeth's pride was enhanced when he heard that he would become king, and then again when Lady MacBeth called his masculinity and courage into question. MacBeth's death results in the proper heir to the throne becoming king. Also, MacBeth's death does not leave the audience in a state of depression. However, the one trait MacBeth lacks is how much his punishment is deserved. A tragic hero does not wholly deserve their punishment. MacBeth killed a king, and ordered the death of his best friend killed, as well as the wife and child of the man that would eventually kill MacBeth. MacBeth's actions resulted in several deaths. MacBeth deserved his punishment.
4) MacBeth's destiny is determined by the influence his wife has on him, MacDuff's hatred for him, the influence that power has on him, and the way that he inerprets the witches' prophecies. The witches are responsible for MacBeth's downfall by telling MacBeth that all of these good things will happen to him without telling him about the price that needs to be paid. In the sense of free will, MacBeth did not have to listen to the witches nor did he have to kill anybody, but he chose to do so anyway. As for fate, it was foretold that MacBeth would become king and that Banquo's descendents would be kings after MacBeth, therefore MacBeth would have to die at some point.
6) The bloody dagger symbolizes how MacBeth would go as far as to kill the king under his own roof in order to gain power. Banquo's ghost symbolizes how MacBeth, after killing the king, has little to no guilt left. MacBeth's visions in the witches' cauldron symbolize how MacBeth feels confident that he has successfully gotten away with killing the king as well as Banquo, whose descendents will be future kings. They feed MacBeth's confidence as well as his sense of invincibility.
8) "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from mu hand?" (II.ii.78-79)
"It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood." (III.iv.151)
"As easy mayst thou the intrechant air with thy keen sword impress as make me bleed."(V.viii.12-13)
As a psychological symbol, blood represents guilt, or lack there of, that MacBeth and Lady MacBeth have. It also symbolizes the violent nature of the actions that MacBeth's.
9) Storms are used to show the fear and sense of evil that is present. Prophecies show how we can hear that something good will happen to us and we put little to no focus on the price that needs to be paid. Omens are used to show that one cannot escape their destiny, no matter how much they try.
12) Duncan is the king and values courage in the battlefield, however he is still quite proud and a little bit self indulgent. He reflects MacBeth's pride and courage
Malcom, Duncan's eldest son, was in MacBeth's home when Duncan was murdered. He reflects MacBeth's fear.
Banquo is the one who questions the price of the prophecy that foretells such great things for MacBeth and Banquo. He reflects MacBeth's common sense.
The Thane of Cawdor was under trial and executed for treason because he was accused of alligning with either Norway or a rebellion. He reflects MacBeth's will to betray those who trust him if they interfere with him becoming King.
The King of England, King Edward, is not an actual character in the play, however he is referenced several times. Whenever the English King is referenced, it is usually with words like "gracious", "good", "worthy", or "honourable". He reflects MacBeth's honour.
13) Malcom seems to consider that "manhood" requires sympathy and the courage to deal with your problems head-on. MacDuff seems to consider that "manhood" involves honour. Yes because Malcom doesn't seem to show the same amount of courage that he uses to define "manhood". Lady MacBeth defines "manhood" as being able to put your honour and valour aside if they keep you from obtaining whatever it is that you desire. MacBeth seems to adopt more "vicious" views of "manhood". Early in the play, it is blatant that MacBeth values honour and valour, now he seems to not hold those values as close to his heart as he used to. Earlier in the play, MacBeth would say that people who are dishonourable nor people who harm women and/or children were "real men", now he would call the three assassins who will murder Banquo while he is with his son, possibly unarmed, and then attempt to murder his son "men" in the same way that spaniels and hounds are both called by the name "dogs". I would say that MacBeth does not see this definition viable at the end of the play because of the fact that MacBeth chose to die honourably in battle as opposed to running away to preserve his life or killing himself so that none could say that they have killed "the tyrant". MacBeth chose to die with honour than to live with cowardice. MacBeth's "manly" behaviour included seeing no value in the lives of King Duncan, Banquo, Fleance, Lady MacDuff nor MacDuff's son. Out of the people that were just listed, MacBeth killed one, King Duncan, and ordered the murders of four, only one of which, Fleance, manages to escape and stay alive. MacBeth's actions become less honourable and more savage. He becomes less civilized and acts more like a wild animal than a rational person.
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