Good & Evil

Good & EvilTalei Costello

{Line between good and evil is blurredIts difficult to define its based on the perceptions of the individual and their values and attitudes. Which will differ based on religion, age, country, etc.Human nature is more complicated than being merely good and evil, which is subjective, one persons good could be another persons evilIts all down to what we perceive to be good as opposed to evil, giving us our personal discourse as to how we view texts, situations and people.* The task will be completed based on my perceptions of Good vs evilWhy its so hard to define

Overall societal values of what is good and evil influences what the individual would perceive to be good and evil Eg. Killing someone is murder and evil but if you kill them in self defense its not considered evil.Good: Is being morally right or righteousEvil: Evil acts are distinguished from ordinary wrongs through the presence of an extra quality ( taking pleasure in the act of wrong doing) that is completely absent in the performance of ordinary wrong- To be profoundly immoral and wicked, especially when regarded with supernatural force.Though the repeated notion of evil among society is to be without empathy and their needs and desires become of paramount importance.Human beings object to what they think is evil its why we have lawsSocial definition

Shakespeare portrays the nature of evil in many ways: - evil as a perversion of human nature - evil to disrupt the natural order of the world - evil as a disease ( all consuming and destructive)

Evil in Macbeth has 3 distinct sources - Macbeths uncontrolled ambition - Influence of other characters (Lady Macbeth) - The supernatural element

3 typical evils discussed in Macbeth

In Macbeth there are certain traits that the characters value to be good as well as evilThe line between good and evil blurs as the play progresses and its difficult to say whether or not a character is evil

Good vs Evil Macbeth and traitsGoodEvilLoyaltyTreacheryBravery (Macbeth)DishonestyGenerosityCowardiceFairness ( Lady Macbeth)Lack of moral disciplineCourageLyingHonestyNarcissisticLack of self centerednessLack of empathyAmbitionAmbition

Witches were thought to be paradigms of evil, as creatures that possess powers and abilities that defy human and scientific understanding. Associated with satanic forces, witches would have been condemned and feared during the Shakespearean era thus providing the primary sense of evil in the play common to all viewers regardless of their perceptions.Shakespeare's inclusion of the cursing of the shipman, Ithe shipmans card. Ill drain him dry as hay. (Act 1, Sc 2, 20)Shows the capabilities of the witchesForeshadowing their prophecies will always have ill effects sets up the idea that Macbeth prophecy will have ill effectsThey are powerful beyond comprehension.Not evil in the corrupt sense but evil in the supernatural unexplainable sense

The Witches evil and supernatural

Witches make a point of saying good and evil exist side by side one wouldnt exist without the otherThat a fair face may hide a foul heart, thus bringing about the ambiguity of false words and false appearances (Lady Macbeth)The dichotomy is key to convey this themeIf there was nothing good about a character wed find nothing to admire in them and wouldnt react to their downfall

Fair is foul and foul is fair

Portrays the equivocation of false appearances telling King Duncan, All our service, in every point twice done and then done double were poor and single business to contend against those honors deep and broad where with your majesty loads our house.(Act 1, Sc 7, 10)Juxtaposed against: bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower. But be the serpent undert (Act 1, sc 6, 60)Seen as the catalyst to Macbeths corruption her ambition causes these evil thoughtsCalls on supernatural witches to fill her with direst cruelty so she can carry out evil acts with the ease of a male.Uses Macbeths fear of being like a woman to manipulate him into committing the murder, she questions his manhood. - What beast was t, then, That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man;(Act 1, Sc 7, 50)Gender stereotypes are subverted While she is loyal to her husband a virtuous quality.Overall readers would be positioned to view Lady Macbeth as somewhat evil, and not cowardly in taking her own life as the emotional response would be acceptable of a woman.

Lady Macbeth

Shakespeare portrays the ways that evil is a perversion of human nature and like a disease, through Macbeth.Had all the qualities of a good man, a good solider, brave, loyal, strongBrave Macbeth well de deserves that name disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution till he faced the slave which he neer shook hands nor bade farewell to him till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements.(Act 1, Sc 2, 20)Trusted by King Duncan, O valiant cousin! Worthy gentlemen! (Act 1, sc 2, 20)Promoted to Thane of Cawdor, as a result of his admirable qualities following the witches prophecyMacbeth was not evil until tempted by evil (the supernatural and Lady Macbeth)Shakespeare then conveys the idea that everyone had the potential to be evil if its awoken by evil.Before committing the murder Macbeth was hesitant as he cared and respected DuncanWe will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late; (Act 1, Sc 7, 30)- Even then he could be considered evil by the NorwegiansLine is blurred depending on perspective Macbeth pre murder

To begin Macbeth was not evil, yet was tempted by evil if he was not prophesised to be King or was not tempted by his benefactor Lady Macbeth he would have remained wholesomeViewers incredibly moved by Macbeths downfallMacbeth is constructed to convey the transition between good and evil, crossing the lineOnce Macbeth committed the first murder Shakespeare points out that evil is all consuming, like a disease and once the line has been crossed theres little to retrain him from becoming increasingly evil. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. John DalbergBrings about ideas that power and ambition lead to evil making Macbeth stronger and more determinedPerversion of the human condition that evil is easy to succumb to, once he crossed the line, he became consumed by Ambition caused paranoia, a hunger for more power and decrease in capacity for empathy.Hes even said to be worse than the devil Not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils, to top Macbeth (Act 4, sc 3, 50)We are positioned to see him as evil but it was only brought about by outside influences of evil, and how easily good can be tainted.

Macbeth post murder

Archetypal hero in the playMacduff and Malcom are symbols of good to provide a contrast to Macbeth and Lady MacbethConqueror of evil (Macbeth)Viewers may be deterred from his wholesomeness when he abandons his family and leaves them defenseless.To leave his wife, his babes, his mansion and his titles, in a place from whence himself does fly? He loves us not(Act 4, sc2)Could argue that fleeing Scotland to go to England was not cowardiceSeen as a real man with both feeling and action as opposed to Macbeth and Duncan. He has the acceptable amount of emotion in situations.Malcom tells him to Dispute it like a man Macduff replies But I must also feel it like a man. I cannot but remember such things were that were most precious to me O! I could play the woman with mine eyes, And braggart with my tongue Front to front bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself. Within my swords length set him(Act 4, sc 3)Can be argued he acted out of revenge which is not an admirable qualityOverall we are positioned to see him as the sole good character

Macduff

Would be helpful if given a questions on:Reader positioning How Shakespeare intended the viewers/ readers to view good and evil in the play, looking at the 3 main sources of evil in the text ( see slide 4)Character construction How the complex characters are juxtaposed against one another to portray a themeCritical reflection apply your personal perspective to the information Ive gatheredPotential essay questions

Macbeth, By William Shakespeare has many prevalent themes, one of the most prevalent being the nature of good and evil. Shakespeare presented the theme of evil, through his main characters and through 3 main sources; Macbeths uncontrolled ambition, evil through the influence of other characters, and evil through the supernatural element. This theme is made prevalent due to the profound effect that these 3 sources have on Macbeth, the protagonist/antagonist and on his transition from good into evil as he becomes corrupt, driven with power and ambition. The readers/viewers are positioned to view Macbeth as an evil character, the evil that resulted from being tempted by these 3 evils, that each, in turn drove him to become the ruthless, merciless leader that got himself killed. Were positioned to view evil as a disease that is all consuming and destructive through the effect of these evils on Macbeth.Sample essay introMacbeth, 2014, shmoop, [22.05.14] http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/macduff.htmlThemes, 2011, no sponsor, [15.05.14] http://resources.mhs.vic.edu.au/macbeth/theplay/themes.htmlGood and Evil, 2014, BBC Bitesize, [15.05.14] http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/english/macbeth/theme_good_evil/revision/1/Macbeth Good vs evil, 2013, Marked by Teachers, [16.05.14] http://www.markedbyteachers.com/gcse/english/macbeth-good-vs-evil.htmlCalder, T, 2013, The concept of evil, Stanford encyclopaedia of Philosophy, [22.05.14] http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/concept-evil/#evisupTaylor, S, 2013, The real meaning of good and evil, Psychology Today, [22.05.14] http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201308/the-real-meaning-good-and-evilReferences 2014-05-25T15:20:23+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T20:10:00+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T19:00:55+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T15:44:11+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T15:51:25+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T16:16:15+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T17:14:35+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T17:50:59+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T18:05:51+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T16:39:19+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)2014-05-25T18:34:38+0800com.apple.VoiceMemos (iPhone OS 7.1.1)