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Jayatee Bhattacharya, Lovely Professional University Unit 7: Macbeth: Characterization and Superstition

Unit 7: Macbeth: Characterization and Superstition Notes

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction

7.1 Characterization

7.2 Character of Macbeth
7.3 Superstition on Various Characters of Macbeth

7.3.1 Few Examples

7.3.2 Methods to Dispel the Curse
7.4 Summary

7.5 Keywords
7.6 Review Questions

7.7 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Elaborate the virtues of various characters in Macbeth;
• Explain the the weakness of Macbeth character, his vaulting ambition and the influence of
Lady Macbeth on him;
• Illustrate the appearance of incidental characters in the play;
• Understands the superstition associated with Macbeth.

Introduction

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath and
revolves round a character Macbeth. Though the sources of this tragedy are accounts of King Macbeth
of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan in Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587), a history of England, Scotland
and Ireland familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries, the story bears little relation to real
events in Scottish history, as Macbeth was an admired and able monarch. The characterization of
the play is so remarkably generated that it seems a real happenings in the history. For example, at
the beginning of the play Macbeth is the “bravest” soldier and the honorable Thane of Glamis. His
rank and nobility are of great value, and he seems to be fit for his status. But his encounter with the
witches awakens in him a deep impatient ambition. Immediately after the first prophecy of being
Thane of Cawdor becomes true the “horrid image” of the murder of King Duncan in order to become
king himself crosses his mind. He is not totally cold and solely ambitious as shown by his terror of

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