The Time Motif and Its Significance in Macbeth
The Time Motif and Its Significance in MacbethThroughout the play The Tragedy of Macbeth, many different motifs are exemplified. However, the time motif has a strong importance on the story itself. This theme intensifies as the play develops. Its significance to the characters and impact on the character's actions grows more and more as the story goes on.In the beginning of Macbeth, the reader is welcomed by the three witches. These witches foreshadow what is to come later on in the play. They ask: "When shall we three meet again?/ In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" (Shakespeare Ii 1-2). As a response the witches say, "That will be ere the set of sun" (Shakespeare Ii 5). During Shakespeare's time, the king is related to the sun, and the sunset is symbolizes the kings death or removal from power (Rackin 108). This foretells Duncan's murder and his overthrow in the story. Later in this act, the witches speak with Macbeth and tell him his three prophesies. The first witch tells him he is Thane of Glamis; however, the second witch continues to say he will be the Thane of Cawdor. The third witch proceeds to tell Macbeth, "That shalt be king hereafter!" (Shakespeare Iiii 53). Now that the witches have told him this, he
Also, it becomes more important towards the characters and the characters actions; especially, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. All is but toys; renown and grace is dead; The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees Is left this vault to brag of. She suggests a plan for the killing of Duncan, which leads to Macbeth being supportive of it. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Lady Macbeth is the one who convinces her husband to go through with the murdering of the king. / Why then, 'tis time to do't" (Shakespeare Vi 37-38). After murdering Duncan, Macbeth says: Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had liv'd a blessed time; for from this instant, There's nothing serious in mortality. Although Macbeth decides to kill Duncan, he does contemplate his actions and the consequences of murdering the king. The purpose of killing Duncan was to be honored and to be the king; however, honor is dead. When Lady Macbeth dies in the play, Macbeth states "She should have died hereafter" (Shakespeare Vv 20). (Shakespeare IIiii 107-112)Now that he has gone through with the act, he wishes he died an hour before the event, so that he lived a holy life. Lady Macbeth imagines there is still blood on her hands; while one and two is her remembering the clock striking two o'clock right before the murder. "When you durst do it, then you were a man;/ And to be more than what you were, you would/ Be so much more the man" (Shakespeare Ivii 56-58). When deciding to murder the king, Macbeth has to "mock time"; and as a result, time with mock him (Rackin 113).
Common topics in this essay:
Lady Macbeth,
Signifying Macbeth's,
Shakespeare Ii,
Tragedy Macbeth,
Shakespeare Iiii,
Duncan Macbeth,
Shakespeare IIiii,
Shakespeare Vv,
Thane Cawdor,
lady macbeth,
Shakespeare Ivii,
play macbeth,
macbeth lady macbeth,
decides kill duncan,
shakespeare ii,
hereafter shakespeare,
kill duncan,
murdering king,
to-morrow to-morrow,
decides kill,
lady macbeth dies,
lady macbeth convinces,
rackin 110,
macbeth convinces,
|
Acceptance Essays
