Violence in Macbeth By Jacinta Eliot

Define Violence A behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something The unlawful exercise of physical force or intimidation by the exhibition of such force. Strength of emotion or of a destructive natural force rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment

Violence in the Jacobean/Elizabethan Era Violent society compared to today Enjoyed displays of violence, e.g. bear bating, cock fighting, violent plays with gruesome murders, public hangings/ witch trials Society was desensitized to violence, hence why they enjoyed watching it. A time of many battles Many torture devices used during interrogations/ executions – iron maiden, thumbs screws, the rack. Sports of this era where extremely rough and violent- bear foot football, hunting, fencing.

Violence in Macbeth The first violent act we hear of is Macbeth in the war: Macbeth is commended for his bravery- murder during was is viewed as heroic Macbeth’s next violent encounter is the murder of Duncan: Macbeth feels guilt- personal murder is viewed as wrong, although he has killed hundreds of men in war, Duncan is still confronting to him. His next murder of Banquo has the most repercussions. This murder is a turning point in the book. Macbeth was able to murder his closest friends, hence leads on to his ability to kill Macduff’s wife and children Although we do not hear details of Lady Macbeth’s suicide, it is a repercussion of the murders of Duncan and Banquo – she is not aware of the Macduff murders. Macbeth’s murder of Young Siward is not discussed in depth, as it is a ‘murder in war.’ This almost justifies the murder. The final death of Macbeth is the climax of the play. The audience has been waiting for his death, and it becomes justified after all the murders he has committed.

Types of Violence in Macbeth Justified murder: Murder during war- accepted by society Unjustified murder, assassination and/ or execution : Murder for ones own benefit or personal vendetta- frowned upon in society- illegal Revenge: Murder against someone who has wronged against you – although still wrong, people usually sympathise. Suicide: ‘murder’ of ones self

Violent Language in Macbeth Use of metaphors and stage directions –most of the violence is not described directly, it is described using metaphors or is mentioned in the stage directions Some of the violence is too gruesome to take place on stage hence has to be told through the actor’s speech or is implied through stage directions. Metaphor example: “I am in blood Stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” – Act 3 , Scene 4 Stage Direction example: “ MURDERER: stabbing him”- Act 4, Scene 3 Off stage death told by actor: “SEYTON: The Queen, my Lord, is dead” –Act 5, Scene 5.

How the element of violence is helpful in an essay Macbeth Essay Introduction, by Jacinta Eliot “It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood” Act 3, Scene four, spoken by Macbeth. Translated into modern English, this quote reads “People say that those who commit bloody deeds will be victims of bloody deeds; blood will have blood.” The quote is saying that violence leads to nothing but more violence, and that is basically the whole plot of William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. The play begins with Macbeth benefitting from the violence of war, but he then becomes corrupt when violence offers him the opportunity of kingship. The plot then snowballs from there, resulting in about 8 deaths across the whole play, ending finally in the death of Macbeth. Throughout the play, Macbeth develops an obsession with violence, which leads only to more and more murders, resulting in an increasing amount of blood on his hands. Macbeth is a play displaying the notion that nothing good ever comes from an act of violence.

“It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood” The End Thankyou for watching “It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood”

References http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1171&context=ur_symp osium, May 20th, 2014 http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/violenceinshakespeare.html, May 20th 2014. http://resources.mhs.vic.edu.au/macbeth/theplay/imagery.html, May 22nd, 2014 http://www.litcharts.com/lit/macbeth/themes#violence, May 25th, 2014 http://www.litcharts.com/lit/macbeth/quotes#theme-violence, May 25th, 2014 http://www.litcharts.com/lit/macbeth/act-3-scene-4, May 25th, 2014