Equivocation in Macbeth - 2636 Words

Equivocation in Macbeth In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the theme of equivocation to effectively illustrate the evil nature of the witches. Equivocation is the use of ambiguous expressions in order to mislead. The prophecies of the witches play a mischief in this play, as they are a form of deception that at times use vague language to dodge an issue. The three influential prophecies, which the witches make in this play, are that the protagonist Macbeth will become the king of Scotland, Banquo will be the father of the king of Scotland, and Macbeth will not be killed until the Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane hill. The sources of these prophecies are the witches who put together the devious words into Macbeth s mind, which demonstrates†¦show more content†¦As the second witch said: By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes: (-Act 4, Scene 1) Such is Macbeth s fair to foul story in a flash. There is also Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, and Donalbain, and perhaps even Banquo. Each of these character s development follows the â€Å"fair is foul and foul is fair† format. In the beginning of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth shows a beautiful face, yet what she says in private is evil. In fact in Act 1, Scene 5, she says: â€Å"Art not without ambition; but without The illness that should attend it; what thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou dst have, great Glamis... She is saying that Macbeth is ambitious but lacks the brutality of character (the illness) to carryout any evil deeds through. After this Lady Macbeth continues on, trying to convince Macbeth to murder Duncan and eventually succeeds. From the end of the first Act through the 2nd, Lady Macbeth has shown her â€Å"innocent-self† perfectly capable of committing heinous deeds. Yet eventually the â€Å"illness† gets the better of her, as it did Macbeth, and she kills herself unable to stand living with her burdens. On the other side of the â€Å"fair is foul and foul is fair† phrase there is Malcolm and his loyal followers. Malcolm and Donalbain were seen as traitorous murders as they fledShow MoreRelatedMacbeth Equivocation Essay1003 Words   |  5 Pagesstory of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a classic one of betrayal and destiny. One of the major themes of the play is the use of equivocation to create ambiguity. The definition of equivocation from the Oxford dictionary is: the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself; prevarication. The very definition of equivocation contains the use of ambiguity, thus making the two very connected in terms of the story of the play. Equivocation is used multiple times throughoutRead MoreAmbiguity Equivocation in Macbeth1097 Words   |  5 Pagesplay, Macbeth, the theme of ambiguity and equivocation stands our quite clearly. The Oxford definition of equivocation is: ‘use of ambiguity to conceal the truth . Macbeth s voluntary misinterpretation of the ambiguity and equivocation of the witches relates to the play s theme. After the first of the witches prophecies comes true, Macbeth begins to believe in their truth. However, he also believes that the prophecies must all lead to his enrichment and empowerment. The use of equivocation inRead MoreMacbeth, Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot Essay1077 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s Macbeth. During the 15th century in England, a new era was upon the country as a whole. Macbeth reflects one very unique idea in England at the time known as equivocation. The Gunpowder plot was also directly alluded to in Macbeth several times. The play as a whole was written to please King James, and is even thought by some as a way for Shakespeare himself to avoid suspicion by those investigating The Gunpowder Plot. One of the most important things to know about the play Macbeth is thatRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s Macbeth s Macbeth 1250 Words   |  5 PagesDeemed Shakespeare’s shortest and most bloody tragedy, Macbeth is the tale of a valiant Scottish general whose unchecked ambition elicited his transformation into an immoral and tyrannical ruler. The story follows Macbeth’s encounter with the three Weird Sisters whose ambivalent â€Å"prophecies† prompted him to murder King Duncan and ultimately triggered his moral decline. Most prominent in the play is the theme of equivocation and a pervasive feeling of uncertainty is felt throughout the entirety ofRead MoreEssay Macbeth Themes: Fair Is Foul and Foul Is Fair900 Words   |  4 PagesThe theme of ‘Fair is foul, foul is fair’ permeates throughout the play Macbeth. Explain what it means, providing examples from the play to support your answer: One of the most important themes in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare comes from one of the last lines in Act 1, Scene 1 of the play. The three witches speak this simple line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair,’ shortly before they disperse and it becomes a prophecy and an underlying warning for the rest of the play. The connotationsRead MoreMacbeths Ultimate Sin1170 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth is a play about subterfuge and trickery. Macbeth, his wife, and the three Weird Sisters are linked in their mutual refusal to come out and say things directly. Instead, they rely on implications, riddles, and ambiguity to evade the truth. Macbeth’s ability to manipulate his language and his public image to hide his foul crimes makes him a very modern-seeming politician. As Bernard McElroy says in his literary criticism about Macbeth, â€Å" When confronted with the possibility of committing aRead MoreMacbeth Tragic Flaw Essay1604 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare†™s ‘Macbeth’, is ranked among the four great tragedies of the world, of ancient as well as of modern times. The concept of the tragedy is Elizabethan. These tragedies are basically tales of suffering that ultimately result in death. The protagonist in these tragedies is not only notably placed socially but is also conspicuous for his qualities of head and heart. In the tragedy, the society is largely affected by the fall of the supremacy of the central character. Like, in Macbeth, the decadenceRead MoreAllegorical Elements In Macbeth Essay761 Words   |  4 PagesThe use of allegorical devices within Macbeth can also be used as a way of discussing internal political and ethical perspectives. Shakespeare condemns equivocation within the narrative, â€Å"Faith here’s an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale who committed treason enough for Gods sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven† . This is probably in reference to the Jesuit, Henry Garnet a man who was tried and executed for his role in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Garnet publishedRead MoreEssay on Macbeth and the Gunpowder Plot of 16054662 Words   |  19 PagesMacbeth and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 Shakespeare’s Macbeth was influenced by the gunpowder plot of 1605. The equivocation that was inspired by this event played an important role in the play. The general theme of Macbeth reflects the mood of society at the time that it was written. This relationship is a direct reflection of the mimetic theory. This paper will examine the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and the role of equivocation in the subsequent prosecutions during the time that Shakespeare wasRead MoreMacbeth Research Paper2300 Words   |  10 Pagesthat ultimately lead to his demise. Throughout the play of Macbeth, Shakespeare utilizes many forms of imagery. Some forms of imagery are shown through the character’s appearance in clothing, light and darkness and blood imagery. The most dominant form of imagery in the play is expressed through the clothing worn by the characters. In Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare utilizes imagery of clothing and equivocation to demonstrate Macbeths o ver ambitious mindset, which ultimately

Argumentative Essay Pro-Choice Abortion - 1224 Words

Pro-choice Abortion Argumentative Paper When it comes to abortion, everyone has a slightly different view. Whether one believes that no one, or everyone, should be allowed to get an abortion, the same question comes into play: Is abortion ethical? In addition, when does a human life actually start? Without concrete facts, we can only do so much with those questions, which is why this is such a controversial topic. We need to consider all the facts and information available. For example, whether or not a fetus feels pain, how old the fetus is, and what condition the pregnant woman is in. The main argument comes down to pro-life versus pro-choice. After doing extensive research, I have come to agree with the side of pro-choice, meaning that†¦show more content†¦Every individual defines pain differently, so â€Å"without interrogation, we cannot know for sure what the fetus feels† (British Medical Journal). As we know, asking a fetus if it feels pain is impossible, and a ssuming that they do could be wrong. Considering these statements, abortion cannot technically be called murder. Fetuses are not self-aware, rational, or attentive like humans. From a religious standpoint, I understand why people consider abortion murder. A fetus has the potential for life, and that they consider that potential life a real life. However, stretching this idea farther, sperm also have the potential for life, but many of these people are not against sex or masturbation. Fertilization has not yet occurred, but the potential is still there. According to scientific evidence, a fetus has a fifty to seventy percent chance of becoming a feasible human being. These chances are relatively high, but not a guarantee, and not yet a life. One cannot kill something that is not yet alive. Other topics in regards to abortion are health and rape. Rape is a very touchy subject and still very controversial when it comes to abortion. If a woman is raped and gets pregnant, she should be allowed to get an abortion. She did not get a choice in that matter, so she should have the choice on whether or not she want to have a baby. Rapes cause emotional trauma, and no oneShow MoreRelatedAbortion Argumentative Essay, Pro Choice915 Words   |  4 PagesMary Townsend Med. Lit. Mrs. Averbeck February 27, 2016 On January 22, 1973 the United States Supreme Court made a 7 - 2 decision to legalize abortion in most of the fifty states. Although abortion was not legal in the past it was being preformed on women since the fifteenth century all over the globe, but, most women did not survive the surgery. That is the biggest reason it was preformed in secret because it was taking so many lives. Thanks to modern day medicine and technology the successRead MoreShould Abortion Be Legalized? Essay1068 Words   |  5 Pagesfor my argumentative essay is about the topic of abortion. Abortion has been a controversial topic for a very long time. The dictionary definition of abortion is â€Å"A medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus†(Merriam-Webster). Many people believe that this procedure is wrong and immoral. These people, who are categorized as â€Å"pro-lifers†, often times forget that by making abortion illegal does not mean that abortion will be sto pped. In fact by making abortion illegalRead MoreAbortion - Argumentative Essay1093 Words   |  5 PagesARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ‘ABORTION Our world today is full of unsolved, devisive and controversial issues. Most of them relate to our morals, ethics and religion, thus creating a very strong ‘yes and ‘no, or ‘good and ‘bad side. Like the Chinese Yin and Yang sign, abortion has a very prominent ‘black and ‘white side but also contains traces of each in the alternating colour. This shows that if you were to come to any kind of conclusion on abortion, there would still be a downside toRead MoreThe Contemporary Advocates Of Liberalism2281 Words   |  10 Pagesextensive accomplishments of the Early Modern time period is the expression, protection, and justification of civil liberties including the ability to run for and attain office. From the seventeenth century to present day, a number of distinct argumentative policies and approaches have been established in order to defend the common civilian’s ability to attain political office. Over the past several decades, great advancements have been made in order to allow minorities and even females to run forRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagescontemporary texts in informal logic – keeping an eye on the sorts of arguments found in books on formal logic – forget, or underplay, how much of our daily reasoning is concerned not with arguments leading to truth-valued conclusions but with making choices, assessing reasons, seeking advice, etc. Dowden gets the balance and the emphasis right. Norman Swartz, Simon Fraser University v Acknowledgments For the 1993 edition: The following friends and colleagues deserve thanks for their help and Read MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesProcesses 25 †¢ Outcomes 25 Summary and Implications for Managers 30 S A L Self-Assessment Library How Much Do I Know About Organizational Behavior? 4 Myth or Science? â€Å"Most Acts of Workplace Bullying Are Men Attacking Women† 12 An Ethical Choice Can You Learn from Failure? 24 glOBalization! Does National Culture Affect Organizational Practices? 30 Point/Counterpoint Lost in Translation? 31 Questions for Review 32 Experiential Exercise Workforce Diversity 32 Ethical Dilemma Jekyll and HydeRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesAbuse of Power 285 Strategies for Gaining Organizational Power 286 The Necessity of Power and Empowerment 286 Sources of Personal Power 288 Sources of Positional Power 293 Transforming Power into Influence 298 Influence Strategies: The Three Rs 298 The Pros and Cons of Each Strategy 300 Acting Assertively: Neutralizing Influence Attempts 304 SKILL ANALYSIS 310 Case Involving Power and Influence 310 River Woods Plant Manager 310 SKILL PRACTICE 311 Exercise for Gaining Power 311 Repairing Power FailuresRead MoreIgbo Dictionary129408 Words   |  518 Pagesillustrated the meaning and use of words; the great majority of the examples are due to him. Their merit is that they are not translations from English, but natural Igbo sentences elicited only by the stimulus of the word they illustrate. The short essays which appear from time to time (e.g. under otà ¹tà ¹, à ²Ã¯â‚¬ ¤gbanÌ„je) on aspects of culture are also his work, as are the sketches which served as basis for the illustrations, a large number of new words, and various features of the arrangement. When he had

Juvenile Crime Persuasive Essay Example For Students

Juvenile Crime Persuasive Essay Nov-3-00Block 4Candidate Letter564 wordsNovember 3, 2000Dear Ms Latourell,When you vote I think you should vote for George Bush. George Bush doesnt have as much experience as Gore, but He is highly educated and does still have a lot of political experience. George Bushs plans on certain subjects such as social security and Medicare, gun control and education are better that Gores and are more realistic. George Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, CT. His religion is Methodist. George Bush went to Harvard or Yale, for four years each. He was also a pilot for the air national guard. He has also been the Governor of Texas for eight years, and still is. Al Gore is also highly educated, but not as much as bush. He served in the army during Vietnam, but wasnt in any combat, or even in the country of Vietnam. I think George Bush has a better personality than Gore. One of the main issues that will influence the election is gun control. A lot of laws and bans have been set up, but they only people they affect are law-abiding citizens. Setting laws prohibiting hi-capacity clips and assault rifles, will not affect the criminals from getting one. It will only stop collectors and responsible citizens from getting one. Criminals arent going to register their illegal assault rifles, or they wont use gun locks. The best way to stop violence and accidents caused by guns is to educate people about guns. George Bush provides twice as much money as Gore for educating people about gun safety, and how to be responsible with your guns. Bushs plan requires gun locks to be sold with all guns, and he will increase the age to buy handguns to 21, so it would be harder for gang members to get handguns. Bush will also spend more money than Gore for the enforcement of gun laws. Gore wants to license guns, but Bush thinks that registering is unnecessary, but Gore would do that. Gore would also ban gun shows, which is stupid because they still sell guns legally, and most criminals dont get guns at gun shows. Social security is another important issue. George Bush will set aside 2.4 trillion for all workers to invest individually. This will raise the average social security income by three times. With Gores plan, you spend more money, and it only increases the life of social security for 55 years, Bushs increases its life indefinitely. George Bushes Health care plan will completely reform the Medicare system. He will make a Patients Bill of rights, like he did in Texas. Gores plan is similar to Bushs, but spends a lot more money. Welfare and labor are other important issues that I think Bushs plans are superior to Gores. George Bush wants to promote charitable giving by making money giving to charities tax deductible. Al Gore opposes this. George Bush will spend 1.7 billion dollars over the next five years for home rehab for low income families, Gore wont. Bush will also have a fifty percent tax credit for home rehab, which Gore would have spent on an insufficient social security plan. Bush also supports a low income oil heating bill, which Gore opposes. I think that George Bush would be a better president of the United States than Gore. Words/ Pages : 555 / 24