Desire In Macbeth

Words: 589
Pages: 3
Open Document
Jonathan Dollimore once posed an idea in regards to the concept of desire and its impossibility to achieve. His idea is based on “the very concept of desire-or passionate love-is a paradox: it is shrouded in contradiction since it is at once sought after and impossible to fully achieve, a practice of fantasizing and idealizing the desired object that may stand in direct contradiction to reality” (Pratchett, 1). Motifs, when relating to narrative, exemplify recurring elements which encompass some sort of symbolic significance that may lead to producing other aspects, such as theme or mood. A motif present in Macbeth is the supernatural. Shakespeare’s use of supernatural through the witches or through any greater power enhances Dollimore’s concept …show more content…
“By invoking the fantastic and supernatural world in plays such as Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, then William Shakespeare seems to suggest the impossibility of desire, the conception that desire truly is super-natural, unable to be successfully or happily achieved in the natural, or human, world” (Pratchett, 1).
The above quote, as it relates to Dollimore’s concept of desire, is confirmed in Macbeth when Lady Macbeth says “Where our desire is got without content: ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy” (M, III, ii, 6-8). This quote proves the idea that once her ultimate desire was “achieved,” it was not as she expected it to be, thus confirming the idea that desire is impossible to achieve. Desire itself, in its idealistic form, is what Dollimore’s concept says is impossible to achieve.
“Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble” (M, IV, i, 12-13). The recurring lines said by all of the witches pertains the “burning” of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They both are now living the consequences of their actions. As they killed in order to end the sense of despair stemming from their idealistic desire, they are now realizing that this desire was unachievable. This concept of what they thought they desired never existed. It was a sensation and a feeling. The fact that Shakespeare has the witches saying these lines, relates to the idea of desire being
Show More

Related Documents: Desire In Macbeth

Macbeth - Desire Essay

Chris Hart B-Block 1/15/12 Macbeth Motif Paper ~ Desire In life, power means control. Control over what you want, what you love and to get rid of what you hate. However, the control that you long for seems to always be one step ahead of you, taunting you. It leads you on time and time again, frustration boiling up inside of you. Suddenly you snap. You force yourself forward toward the desire hanging just out of reach, pushing others out of your way and doing whatever it takes just to achieve…

Words 999 - Pages 4

Desire For Power In Macbeth

Macbeth’s desire for power can be evident to how power and unchecked ambition is a dangerous road to travel. From a once brave and loyal war hero who everyone praised, Macbeth’s character changes the most throughout the play. His first violent act, caused by his power driven mind and his wife made him murder King Duncan. Moreover, the murder of King Duncan troubles him as well as the witches when they indicate that Banquo and his children could be a threat. Soon, Macbeth reaches a stage where he…

Words 129 - Pages 1

Who Was The Most Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

Downfall of Macbeth The tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, outlines the unfortunate sides to human nature. There are multiple aspects that lead to a person's downfall. These aspects mainly stem from the simple need for power and self worth and the extent to which people are willing to go to achieve it. Every human has a part of them that wants to be the best at life and it can often be difficult to accept anything less than the highest standard. Unfortunately, this can lead one…

Words 872 - Pages 4

Macbeth Being Ambitious

receive our desires. It can influence us in many different ways, whether it goes through a good or bad situation. Let’s say, you failed a chemistry test. In order to make it up and be happy about the situation, you would sacrifice your time and come in to get help or get some extra homework. This would be a good way to be ambitious. But some may take it to the next and can conclude the dangers of being ambitious towards someone or something. In the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth, plays…

Words 1023 - Pages 5

Macbeth Cause and Effect Essay

Lord Acton This quote means that power changes one’s personality for the worse. Reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth, one can axtell that the play has several instances where this quote is perfectly applicable to describe a scene. Macbeth, a noble Scottish General, goes to extremes committing murders and pulling devious schemes to gain power. Macbeth’s desire for power was caused by four main events, Macbeth hearing the prophecy, becoming king, hiring the murderers, and killing Macduff’s family. All of which…

Words 981 - Pages 4

Lady Macbeth Essay

2012 A Tragic Hero: Macbeth In Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, the reader observes the consequences of allowing one’s desires to rule their actions. The character Macbeth is the captain of Duncan’s army, and is later given the title Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor. He is a good man but unfortunately allows his ideals to cloud his judgment. However, he is easily influenced by the suggestions from Lady Macbeth as well as the prophecies of the Three Witches. Macbeth as the tragic hero easily…

Words 831 - Pages 4

Macbeth Quotes Analysis

Norway. King Duncan luckily has Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, to lead his army to victory. Macbeth and Banquo, also a Thane, hear prophecies from the witches that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. Banquo’s prophecy was that he will be the father of kings. Macbeth’s first prophecy becomes true as he becomes Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, plots to kill King Duncan, so her husband can become king. From that point on, Macbeth grows more ruthless and kills…

Words 476 - Pages 2

Theme Of Evil In Macbeth

focusing on are evil, desire, and fear. Evil, desire, and fear are very commonly used in life, for example when someone thinks of evil they think of crime, or the bad guy in a movie or that dark corner in your room that keeps you up at night, or maybe the fear of getting out of your bed because you're afraid that something is going to grab you from underneath your bed, these are just some of the things someone might think of when they imagine the word evil. The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare…

Words 562 - Pages 3

Examples Of Figurative Language In Macbeth

In my blackout poem I decided to mainly use nouns accompanied by adjectives to convey the theme of power shown throughout Macbeth. Throughout the play Macbeth, Macbeth and his wife strive for power as the entirety of Act 2 deals with Macbeth’s desire to become king. In 2.2 of Macbeth, Macbeth finally kills Duncan to achieve the new title of King of Scotland. This act shows that he has enough ambition and strength to go through with this action in order to achieve his crown. The nouns I used convey…

Words 271 - Pages 2

Macbeth's Desire For Power Analysis

there. In the play Macbeth by Shakespeare, a Thane named Macbeth slowly rises to power. However, instead of being appointed to each position, Macbeth unlocks his inner demon and begins to claw up the ranks, killing every possible threat to satisfy his desire for more and more power. The end result of Macbeth’s struggles for power do not justify the means he takes to get there. Macbeth’s desire for power causes him to illogically cement and further this goal. Macbeth’s desire for power makes him…

Words 1559 - Pages 7