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Compare and contrast how doubt and uncertainty are presented in Richard Ill and Macbeth Macbeth is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare. The play is set in Scotland during the mid 1 lath century. But, the play was written in 1606 at a time where James I was on the throne. King James was a very superstitious man who believed in magic and witchcraft and these themes were presented in Macbeth to please the King. Also the political context is important as it was included in Macbeth with the ideas of excessive ambition. On the other hand, Richard Ill is a historical play by William
Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1592. It presents the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard Ill of England. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses imagery and symbols in the play to present the uncertainty and doubt with Lady Macbeth. This is presented in the quote: “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. ” This quote shows Machete’s uncertainty at this point in the play and it is also one of the first signs of his deterioration. The imagery of the dagger was used by
Shakespeare effectively, as it can be taken as Macbeth losing his head or an actually sign of a ghosts and witchcraft that is haunting their action. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth to be going insane has him questioning his own state and his vision. ” Is this a dagger which I see before me” shows this. Also this quote presents the battle between dream and reality as he is unclear whether this “dagger” is in his mind or actually in front of him. Also another idea which is presented is that he is being haunted by this dagger and this could be a reference to the witches or Ithaca.
These ideas were commonly believed at this time where there was lots of superstition with the people and the King. Shakespeare also presents doubt with foreshadowing. “Come, let me clutch thee. ” This foreshadows that there is more killing to come as he will need to use a knife and murder more people to achieve their goal of taking the throne. Shakespeare In Macbeth “If chance will have me king why, chance may crown me, without my stir” Here, Macbeth is showing doubt as he isn’t certain whether there is a need to kill King Duncan as it may happen anyway.
His uncertainty is shown through the quote as it shows a reflective frame of mind and also it presents a foreshadowing effect of events to come. This is presented by the witches as they appear to Macbeth and give him hope which is soon lost as we see in this quote. This reference is clearly connected with the witches, this was probably included to please James l. Shakespeare has also used the uncertainty of Macbeth and the certainty and determination of Lady Macbeth to use a Juxtaposed effect to emphasis Machete’s doubt in himself and in his actions.
In this quote we see that Machete’s morality sakes him uncertain at this point in the play as he doesn’t want to kill the king. In Macbeth, Shakespeare presents doubt and uncertainty using conditional phrases when Macbeth speaks, this is evident in the line: If we should fail? Lady Macbeth We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail. Furthermore, Macbeth is questioning their fate in the play. Macbeth is presented as uncertain and his attitudes are opposed with the assurance of Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare shows uncertainty to present the attitudes of people of this time.
He shows that Shakespeare is thinking about the consequences of his actions. This is about getting caught and also about the future beyond this crime. As people were very superstitious this could be seen as a act against God resulting in both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth going to hell, Macbeth is uncertain about his actions and the position he will be in later. The effect on the audience is that they can reflect on their actions and also think about the consequences Just as Macbeth as done. Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth to again emphasis the fear and doubt of Macbeth.
Shakespeare is presenting Lady Machete’s doubt in Machete’s ability to kill Duncan and become King, as she has to guild Macbeth like he is a child. In Richard Ill, Shakespeare uses personification and rhetorical questions to present the doubts and uncertainties of Richard Ill in his play. This is seen in the line: “Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. What do I fear? Myself? There’s none else by’ In this quote Shakespeare shows an unstable mind frame in Richard Ill. He has woken up from a dream where the ghosts of the people he has killed appear to him.
In this quote we see a change in Richards attitude. “trembling flesh” shows that Richard has clearly been scared by his confrontation. This isn’t the only change in Richards attitudes as he becomes uncertain progressively in this soliloquy. There are two separate voices talking in Richards minds, the internalized voices that are shown throughout the play to the other characters. Now he is Judging and questioning himself. The “false looking glass” that Richard has been called has now been focused onto himself, and he cannot see himself clearly anymore or he has lost he plot.
The idea of two different perspectives in his minds in present and also two perspective of his life, there is a battle between dream and reality is present and has caused uncertainty as he doesn’t know the difference after these ghosts appear. Shakespeare has used caesura to present the change in attitude of Richard also this supports the idea of Richard having an internal voice that challenges his beliefs at this stage in the play. He shows these in the play by using soliloquies so the audience knows Richards attitudes.
Shakespeare uses rhetorical questions to present the themes of uncertainty and Queen’s Elizabethan self-doubt. This is seen in the line: “If he were dead, what would happen to me? ” Queen Elizabeth is presented as uncertain by Shakespeare as she doesn’t see a clear future for herself. This quote suggests that she needs her husband who has been killed. The audience sees her self-doubt and the uncertainty of her children’s future. She then says, “The loss of such a lord includes all harms”. Here, she is suggesting that the Lord was a great loss and that he can’t be replaced in her and her children’s ivies.
Also this could be suggesting that there is no one who can be as good as a king. There is a rhetorical question used for purpose s if she is questioning a voice in her mind or even a force of the Gods as if she is looking for guidance. This is relatable for the people in the Shakespearean era as they were very religious. Shakespeare has effectively used this line to present what Queen Elizabeth is thinking as this time of the play, this is done by the use of the soliloquies. Shakespeare supports her attitudes by using this conditional phrase.