1. Macbeth Group Presentation
By Nic Rosewarne and Lucas Kanabe
11/22/11

2. Topic
Show how Shakespeare effectively uses foils in his play Macbeth to reinforce the struggle of good against evil.
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3. Introduction
William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth is about betrayal, revolt, and a constant struggle between good and evil. The contrast of opposite characters, foils, is used to demonstrate this battle of good and evil throughout the play. In Macbeth Shakespeare uses foils effectively to portray the contrast between good and evil. Shakespeare demonstrates the struggle between good and evil through Macbeth and lady Macbeth, Macbeth and Banquo, and Macbeth and Duncan.
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4. Body paragraph #1
The contrast of Lady Macbeth’s over whelming ambition and Macbeth’s good nature is an effective use of foils to reinforce the struggle of good and evil in Macbeth.
“He’s here in double trust:/ First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/ Strong both against deed: then as his host,/ Who should against his murderers shut the door,/ Not bear the knife myself.” (Act I, VII, )
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This quotation shows Macbeth’s hesitation regarding murdering Duncan. Although Macbeth plans to kill the king, and his ambition to become the king of Scotland is great, he feels guilty. Duncan has been gracious to Macbeth in recently naming him the thane of Cawdor. This hesitation even though he gave his wife his word shows Macbeth’s good nature.
“I would, while it was smiling in my face,/ have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums,/ And dash’d the brains out, had i so sworn,/ As you have done to this.” (Act I, VII, 61-64)
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After hearing of Macbeth’s recent change of heart about killing Duncan Lady Macbeth is outraged. She tells Macbeth that she would have killed her own child if she had made a promise such as he did to her. Lady Macbeth is trying to use Macbeth’s manhood against him, by calling him a coward, to get him to do what she wants him to do. This shows Lady Macbeth’s overwhelming ambition without any thought of morals.
Shakespeare contrasts these two characters to cogently use foils to demonstrate the struggle between good and evil in Macbeth.
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7. Body Paragraph #2
The struggle between good and evil in the play is displayed in contrast between Macbeth and Banquo, the main character and an important foil in the play.
“So I lose none/ In seeking to augment it, but still keep/ my bosom franchised and allegiance clear,/ I shall be counsell’d.” (Act II, I, 32-34)
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The words of Banquo to Macbeth provide a clear explanation of Banquo’s thoughts on the three sister’s prophecy. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo is not letting his ambition take over him, but he keeps the disposition of being loyal to his King. Banquo’s choice separates him and Macbeth, creating a contrast of good and evil to further show the actions of which someone with enough restrain to accept his position and not tempt to overstep it.
“I have no spur/ to prick the sides of my intent, but only/ vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on the other.” (Act I, VII, 25-28)
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At the ending of Macbeth’s soliliquoy, Macbeth reveals his only reason for wanting to kill his King; His great ambition. Althought Macbeth could think of many reasons why to not kill his King, he only manages to come up with one to kill his King, and to Macbeth this is enough for him to attempt and very much consider the act. Unlike Banquo, Macbeth did not want to stay in the same position he was in. Althought both had heard the prophecies, only Macbeth was willing to act to make the prophecies true, creating the contrast between good and evil between him and Banquo.
The difference in character of Macbeth and Banquo is used as a tool by to further investigate the struggle between good and evil in Macbeth.
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10. Body Paragraph #3
Lastly, the contrast between Macbeth and Duncan is another example of the conflict between good and evil shown through the main character and a foil in the play.
“Not in the legions/ of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d/ In evils to top Macbeth.” (Act IV, III, 63-65)
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Macduff’s description of Macbeth shows the evil tyrant he has become, for he believes that there is no one who can do worse than Macbeth has done. Macduff and Malcolm’s conversation shows how they realize what Macbeth has done, and how he cannot compare to the good King they once knew, for the actions Macbeth has done creates a massive gap and difference between him and the previous King, Duncan.
“ Besides, this Duncan/ hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ so clear in his great office, that his virtues/ will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against/ the deep damnation of his taking off.”
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Macbeth’s belief that Duncan was a good King when he ruled shows how he was a good King when he ruled Scotland, unlike the Tyrant Macbeth was when he was ruling. Duncan and Macbeth’s difference as rulers help furthermore show how the good and evil in the play can be portrayed by two opposite characters.
Macbeth and Duncan prove that two characters opposite of each other can be effectively used to portray the struggle between good and evil in Macbeth.
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13. Conclusion
To conclude the struggle between good and evil is effectively demonstrated in Shakespeare's Macbeth by the use of foils. Contrast between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, Macbeth and Banquo, and Macbeth and Duncan are all used by Shakespeare to portray the struggle between good and evil. The use of these foil characters made the ongoing struggle of good and evil throughout the play very clear to the reader.
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14. Exeunt
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