Macbeth Essay

How does Shakespeare connect the notion of physical conflict with inner
conflict?
In the play of “Macbeth”, Shakespeare gradually and effectively deepens our

understanding of the inner conflict of characters as well as the conflict between
characters. Through the exploration of themes we are able to witness the true
tragedy of his play. The main themes that showcase the conflict between characters
and the inner conflict of characters are- ambition, appearance vs reality/altered
reality and masculinity. To connect physical conflict with inner conflict Shakespeare
uses many techniques such as, soliloquys, metaphors, riddles, repetition and
dramatic irony. In an Elizabethan context, Christian beliefs, supernatural beings and
a patriarchal society were all very important matters at the time.
The power of unbridled ambition and its ramifications are extensively portrayed
within William Shakespeare’s tragedy; Macbeth. Macbeth demonstrates the
destructive power of relentless ambition, as he is solely responsible for his own
actions and following demise.9 A technique that shakespeare heavily utilizes, are
soliloquies. They are extremely effective in giving the reader an insight into the
characters thoughts. Soliloquys are possibly the most important technique used by
Shakespeare to connect the notion of inner conflict with external conflict, by giving us
a better understanding of the conflict experienced between characters, as well as a
character's inner conflict. During one of Macbeth's soliloquies he says: “I have no
spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition.” This particular
soliloquy shows Macbeth attempts to justify the murder of Duncan, only to realise he
has no real reason to murder him, other than his vaulting ambition. This particular
soliloquy shows the reader the beginning of Macbeth's downfall. We are exposed to
Macbeth's murderous thoughts, that he contemplates for the most part of the play.
By exploring Macbeth’s ambition through soliloquies, we can understand the
connection of his inner conflict to the external conflict throughout the play.
The constant battle between what is real and what isn't, is a very prominent theme
used to convey both the inner and external conflict experienced by characters
throughout the play. In the play Shakespeare has written many characters to speak
in metaphors and riddles or use repetition, to express the altered reality, or to
confuse another character about their reality. Shakespeare also uses the technique
of dramatic irony, to connect a characters inner conflict with the external conflict. The
witches are characters who speak using these techniques. Very early on in the play,
they spark Macbeths ambition. “Fair is foul and foul is fair” is a concept that is
explored throughout the entire play, particularly by Macbeth, although many
characters within the play struggle to decipher what is fair and what is foul. Duncan
references the concept of “fair is foul and foul is fair” by saying “There's no art to find
the mind's construction in the face” here he is talking about the previous Thane of
Cawdor and how never could've guessed his thoughts as he had built a trust on him,
although the reader had previous access to this knowledge through skhakespeares
use of dramatic irony. Act 2 Scene 1 is a scene where Macbeth doesn't know if he
can trust his own eyes. Macbeth questions whether the dagger he sees before him is
real or if it is “A dagger of the mind, a false creation.” During this scene and the next
few, we can truly see Macbeth’s conscience coming into play, as he is struggling to
decide what is real and what is simply a creation of his mind. Through the use of
techniques such as metaphors, riddles, dramatic irony and repetition we are able to
delve into what is real and what isn't.
Throughout the play, the concept of manhood becomes a topic of conflicst that
shakespeare uses to connect both the inner and physical conflict between
characters. Constantly throughout the play it is asked what it means to be a man,
Banquo makes the decision not to join Macbeth in achieving the prophecies that the
witches made, and Lady Macduff questions Macduff's decision to leave. Through all
of these challenges Macbeth scrutinizes what it means to be a man. Does a true
man, get what he wants no matter what the cost? Or does he have the strength to
resist these temptations? In Act 1 Scene 7, in an attempt to convince Macbeth to
proceed in killing Duncan, Lady Macbeth questions his masculinity, by saying “when
you durst do it, then you were a man.” This is an example of the conflict between
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, due to the theme of masculinity. Later in the play
Macbeth provokes the murderers he has hired by calling on their masculinity as well.
These examples show that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth equate masculinity with
killing and barbaric nature. Although as well as looking at manhood in a destructive
way, Shakespeare also addresses manhood in a completely different light. In Act 4
Scene 3, following the murder of Macduff's wife and children, Malcolm says “give
sorrow words; the grief that does not speak, whispers the o'er fraught heart and bids
it break.” This is an interesting piece of dialogue as for the most of the play
masculinity is depicted as aggressive and murderous, Shakespeare however
furthers this conflict by introducing a ‘softer’ side of masculinity. Through this
questioning of what it means to be a man shakespeare enhances the conflict
between characters, by contrasting their views.
Through the exploration of themes, Shakespeare allows us to understand the inner

conflict experienced by characters as well as the conflict between characters.
Masculinity, ambition and what appearance vs reality/altered reality are all themes
that with the help from various techniques further explore the notion of the
connection between inner and physical conflict.

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How does Shakespeare connect the notion of physical conflict with inner

In the play of “Macbeth”, Shakespeare gradually and effectively deepens our

Through the exploration of themes, Shakespeare allows us to understand the inner

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