Parallels Between Macbeth and Satan in Macbeth by William...

Parallels Between Macbeth and Satan in Macbeth by William Shakespeare In William Shakespeares Macbeth, Shakespeare creates parallels between the protagonist, Macbeth, and Satan. Many critics believe Macbeth and Satan share a common thread in their high peaks and low drops. Throughout the play, Macbeth is very much the shadow of Satan in his eminence, ambitions, and consequences. Macbeth mirrors Satan in being the right hand man for his king and second in power. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a ...valiant Cousin! Worthy gentlemen!(1.2.24) Many of his fellow peers feel Macbeth is honest and true: For brave Macbeth -- well he deserves that name (1.2.16). However, as the play commences, critic Robert Pack†¦show more content†¦Macbeth also realizes his consequences for betraying the king and he will be judged harshly for killing an innocent man. However, even with all these oppositions in front of him, Macbeth deliberately continues his actions knowing he can no longer turn back. This ambition, as with Satan, leads to his downfall when Malcolm points out that Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell (4.3.22). The once great flower slowly starts to wither as the ambitions of Macbeth drive him mad for power. The shadow of Satan being representative of Macbeth is best illustrated by the critic A.C. Bradley who implies that ...no amount of calamity which merely befell a man, descending from the clouds like lighting, or stealing from the darkness like pestilence (Bradley 3154). Bradley infers that, like Satan who fell from his power, Macbeth has also lost his golden years and pure soul to his ambitions and must now endure his punishments for his sins in both the present and afterlife. Macbeth also knows that his actions have condemned him to eternal damnation as it did with Satan. Macbeth realizes his deeds and admits his defeat in reality and knows he has: Lived long enough. My way of life Is falln into the sear, the yellow leaf, And that which should accompany old age, As honor, love , obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have (5.4.22-26). This final realization of consequence and defeat is connected toShow MoreRelatedMacbeth and Picture of Dorian Gray Essay1821 Words   |  6 Pagesnature. Hint of homosexuality Faustian Bargain – (decay of living standard) Cultural Values/Context: Values of humanity (fear of losing humanity/identity) Macbeth – Elizabethan Era Macbeth goes under manipulation by the witches, and is seen to swap his soul due to his pride and ambition, which eventually leads to his destruction. Quote: Macbeth says, The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not lightRead MoreComparison between the Great Gatsby and Macbeth3983 Words   |  16 PagesMacbeth is one of Shakespeares most intense plays and one his most complex psychological studies. It is also a play about which there is a great deal of historical background, which I think youll find interesting because it reveals Shakespeares creative process. The play was written in 1605--1606. Its one of the plays where the date is pretty firmly established by internal references to external events, and most scholars have agreed on the date. Shakespeare was at the height of creative