The Dramatic Appeals Macbeth holds for an Elizabethan Audience

Elise Bisset Yachen Shen

November 22, 2011ENG3U - 03Mr. Wilson 

Introduction

    A play in which the audience can easily relate to is much more appealing and interesting. In William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, certain dramatic elements were well designed to capture an Elizabethan audience. A few of these dramatic elements include topics involving violence, the monarchy and religion. 

Definition of Elizabethan:• An era reigned by Queen

Elizabeth I (1558–1603)

First Paragraph

Quotation #1:    “For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name, disdaining fortune with his brandish’d steel which smoked with bloody execution.” (Act 1,  Scene 2, Lines 18-20)

Explanation:    This quotation shows a glorified version of battle, which is forced towards the glory and success of one individual, which appeals greatly towards the young men in Elizabethan time who were raised to understand the honor in war. Henry the 8th fought and declared war multiple times on both the French three times and the Scottish, this constant war influenced the people of the time.

Introduction Sentence:    In Elizabethan England, which battles have been prominent in the time of King Henry 8th, and young men still proving themselves in battle, the glorifying of violence that is used in Macbeth would appeal to the audience.

First Paragraph ContinuedQuotation #2:    “If thou be’st slain and with no stroke of mine, my wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.” (Act 5, Scene 7, Lines 20-21)

Explanation:     Macduff using metaphor of ghosts shows his guilt which Shakespeare explains that revenge in the form of violence is a justifiable method, which is in the culture in the time. At this time, vengeance in the form of violence was much more widely accepted. Kingdoms would attack each other as a form of vengeance. Dueling in the time was illegal, so it would be taken into the backrooms but dueling and killing form vengeance was still practiced by nobility.

Concluding Sentence:    Violence, like in the example of King Henry 8th, is executed by an all powerfull monarch, the people of the time was as used to monarchy and the idea of kings as they were to aggression.

Second Paragraph 

Quotation #1:     “...Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland: which honour must not, unaccompanied, invest him only, but signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine on all deserves.”(Act 1, Scene 4, Lines 44-48)

Explanation:    This is a quotation from the original king, Duncan, as he formally declares his son, Malcolm as the next successor. Duncan's words shows that he is a kind king since he's praising and giving honours to Macbeth and others. Because from the very beginning of Macbeth, the social statuses are set, the monarchy is clear, the audience can feel closer and more understanding towards this play.

Introduction sentence:     Another dramatic appeal within Macbeth is Monarchy because during the Elizabethan era, the rich, the poor and those with power were easily identified. Because of this kind of categorization, many people of this era were interested in watching a play as if they were watching themselves since it was amusing to relate to it.

Second Paragraph Continued

Quotation #2:     “The night has been unruly: where we lay, our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say, lamentings heard i' the air, strange screams of death...”(Act 2, Scene 3, Lines 58-60)

Explanation:    After the death of the king, Lennox explains to Macbeth all the terrible, foreboding events that has been happening. During the Elizabethan time, a king that was brutally murdered is very rare and many considered it as a bad omen because it's unnatural. The audience enjoys this type of situation because the system of a monarchy is overturned which adds intense moments and excitement. 

Concluding sentence:    In all, monarchy was a very influential topic within Macbeth because it's easy for the audience to relate more to the events within the play. It would feel much more realistic and entertaining which is closely connected with the next point, religion.

Third ParagraphIntroductory Sentence:    England and the rest of Europe went trough times of religious extremism with the Spanish inquisition, witch hunts, plus the slaughter and burning because of religion, so it was only natural that the religion in the play would appeal to the audience who were so used to Catholicism.Quotation #1:    “Listening to their fears, I could not say “Amen”, when they did say “God Bless you”' (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 39-40)Explanation:    Amen would be the correct response to the prayer, proving that Macbeth was both religious and accepted by God. This quote helps the audience understand that Macbeth is descending from the righteousness and is important foreshadowing for later on, the audience can relate to their metaphor of his changing character because they are more used to the Christian ceremony.

 

Third Paragraph Continued

Quotation #2:    “And damn'd all those that trust them!” (Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 153)

Explanation:    To be damned is a Christian term which means that the accused is damned to go to hell after death which is the ultimate consequence to all those who do wrong. Macbeth, ironically is referring to himself as damned which he would appear to be for his murders, this would be more apparent to the religious audience of the time.

Concluding Sentence:    The religious references are more apparent and appealing to the people of the time and culture during the Elizabethan period because their culture and lives were so heavily effected by the Christian church.

Conclusion

    In all, the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare vastly had an effect on the Elizabethan audience through clever planning and execution. With the mildly extreme violence, the monarchy that links the audience and story together and lastly, the references towards religion all adds up to bringing life and appeal into the play. Perhaps this was Shakespeare's subliminal way to attract the people of the Elizabethan era and generations to come.