mcbeth lear
The act of creating and developing a character called characterization not only establishes a character, but serves as a means for the author to reveal the themes of the play. "A literary character is the invention of the author, and often inventions are indebted to prior inventions"(Kirsch 236). Therefore, through characterization many common themes repeat with in an author's literary collection. Shakespeare is the inventor of many characters and throughout his plays themes often reappear. Macbeth and King Lear, two of Shakespeare's tragedies, exemplify this technique. The protagonists of these two plays, Macbeth and King Lear, by means of their actions, thoughts and words reveal a theme to the audience. Shakespeare has many portraits of madness among his characters, and he returns to the theme again and again. Indirect characterization in the form of Lear's mad speeches allows Shakespeare to convey the theme of madness. For example one of Lear's first speeches after wit begin to turn, "Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, How shall your household heads and unfed sides,Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you..."(III.iv.35-38). Lear's in
Further development of Macbeth's character reveals the theme of betrayal. The actions controlled by his blind ambition causes him to betray important people in his life. Macbeth's betrayal is the murder of Duncan. He even admits to this himself, "... He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host Who should against the murderer shut the door"(I.vii.12-15). Duncan is Macbeth's king and lord, he trusts him to be a faithful servant; by murdering him he not only betrays this trust but also the code of honor to his lord. One critic explains it "Duncan is... Macbeth's kinsman, king, and guest; he is to be murdered in sleep. No worse act of evil could well be found. So the evil of Macbeth is betrayal"(Bernard 53). Even though Macbeth knows that he has committed an act of betrayal he does not find it to be wrong; "For mine own good All causes shall give way" (III.iv.134-135). This shows his ambition cause! Along with betrayal the characters bring out other themes. Shakespeare uses the characterization of Macbeth and Lear to reveal the themes of the plays. The themes these characters developed are madness and betrayal. Similarities in the themes are found because the characters of Lear and Macbeth were established in the same manor. The characters actions, thoughts, and words establish the themes the plays. Kirsch, Arthur. "The Passions of Shakespeare's Tragic Macbeth." American Journal of Psychoanalysis 42(1982): and by banishing him Lear betrays Kent. Lear's enraged actions to banish and disown the two people that care most deeply for him bring out the theory of betrayal. Stuart, Betty Kantor. "Truth and Tragedy in King Lear." ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Approximate Word count = 1270
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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