James I of England and Macbeth

Some say hes sensitive others, that lesser hate him, Do call it courageous fury (Caithness be 5, Scene 2) Consider Macbeth as a gothic protagonist in the light of this comment.Although William Shakespe ars Macbeth was written in a quantify forward the base of the gothic genre, it is fair to show that he fits the role classifiablely confident(p) to chivalric protagonists. However, the question of whether he is mad or shows actions of valiant fury is a upshot open to interpretation. Sickness and fad are common themes in gothic texts, and it is arguable to suggest that as a Gothic protagonist, Macbeth is indeed control to madness.Firstly, his repeated association with various supernatural elements in the play move over him as being a character who is perhaps driven by his own mental manifestations upon seeing a levitating dagger, Macbeth questions whether it is in fact a dagger of the straits, citing the possibility of his heat-oppressd brain being the factor dirty do g this vision. However, while many Gothic protagonists are associated with elements of the supernatural, that is not to say that they are mad. For example, when Macbeth witnesses Banquos ghost Never shake thy gory locks at me it is perhaps fairer to manage that the ghost is a manifestation of his own guilt as unlike to an outright madness which possessed Macbeth.Those who argue that Macbeth is mad may link up his madness back to the notion of Gothic protagonists possessing an all-consuming passion or stopping point which they are determined to reach. In Macbeths case, this desire is arguably his thirst for exp integritynt and desire to kill the king. Some critics would refute this point, and argue that Macbeth does not seaport such a passion, and that it is the femme fatale-esque character of Lady Macbeth who taunts Macbeth with demeaning rhetorical lyric poem such as Are you a man? and I would be ashamed to wear a heart so white thither is certainly evidence to suggest that Macbeths desire to be king does not lead to his madness, and that it is his wifes power that leads him to the first of many murderous acts.However, this interpretation may be too narrow in its analysis, and it is perfectly possible to argue that Macbeths inherent thirst for power is what leads to his madness. In act one shooter four Macbeth expresses quiet dismay atMalcolms appointment as the Prince of Cumberland, referring to the obstacles in his path to glory as a step / On which I must hark back down, or else oer-leap. In terms of structure, this scene occurs before Macbeth and Lady Macbeths onstage discussion, and suggests that Macbeths madness does indeed stem from the typical Gothic protagonist role as one who is driven to madness or national conflict by an all-consuming passion. Furthermore, this passion is present stock-still in Macbeths first meeting with the witches, where Banquo notes that Macbeth is rapt withal at the possibility that he shalt be king hereafter. Another typical feature of a Gothic protagonist is a high social rank, which noble Macbeth certainly adheres to. It may then be in his spirit as a fit warrior to strive for greatness and power perhaps Macbeths actions are down to valiant fury after all. Shakespeares use of adjectives such as brave and worthy exhibit him as a high-ranking soldier before he is yet introduced this of course contrasts with the language used to describe him later, where demonic imagery such as referring to him as a hell-hound and something wicked associates him with inherent evil.In act one scene two, the Captain describes Macbeths fearlessness and fury on the battlefield, describing how Macbeth ran his sword from his nave tthe chops in what is considered an act of bravery. This may lead to the assertion that Macbeth is not mad after all, and that the temperament of his character is far more likely to succumb to valiant fury, since he is a warrior and, as already mentioned, has the will to kill the king harbouring inwardly him as soon as he hears the witches prophecy. However, the word valiant suggests a whiz of honour and dignity surrounding Macbeths tyrannical reign.Macbeths actions may have been valiant, had queen regnant Duncan been a cruel and oppressive king. However, Shakespeare presented Duncan as a kind and innocuous character, perhaps to appease King James I, who was the king at the time of writing and admired Shakespeares work. The fact that Macbeth murders the king is already contrary to the heaven-sent right of kings at the time, but the fact that the king was virtuous allowed for teeny-weeny interpretation calling Macbeth valiant. Furthermore, Macbeths dishonorable nature in the play sets him digression as a character who does not possess valiant fury at all.He openly lies to Banquo, his trusted friend, by replying with I think not of them when questioned about the witches, and after Duncans body is found hedelivers a melodramatic and duplicitous monologu e expressing his professed grief. The fact that Macbeth is called noble and is described in straight off as a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust directly contrasts with his duplicitous and cunning nature. This contrast is perhaps best explained as the extremes of Macbeths conduct as a character, a feature typical of Gothic protagonists.Most Gothic protagonists are caught in a dilemma or inner conflict, which very much leads to extremes of behavior. In Macbeths case, it is as though he is aware of his own actions and cannot even say the word murder, instead making use of euphemisms such as this bloody business, yet he is also flippant in certain orders, such as the request that Macduffs wife and babes should be killed. Therefore, considering his hostile and deceptive nature, it is indeed possible to refer to Macbeths actions as fury instead than madness. Valiant fury, however, is perhaps not original there seems to be closely no honor or nobility in Macbeths actions and willingness to lie.Macbeths alleged madness is often linked to his use of emotive language. For example, the metaphor full of scorpions is my mind makes it sound as though Macbeths mind is poisoned, or out of his control. However, as just one of many instances where Macbeth uses Gothic language, it is not necessarily true to link such metaphors to madness. Instead, it is perhaps likely that Macbeth is referring to the conflicting nature of his mind, and the inner turmoil that he is facing as a Gothic protagonist. In conclusion, the assertions that Macbeth is either mad or harbours valiant fury both seem to undermine his nature as a Gothic protagonist.Macbeths madness is perhaps better described as the conflicting nature of any Gothic protagonist, and the notion that Macbeths fury is valiant contrasts the many times where Macbeths cunning is anything but valiant or noble. Macbeth is indeed typical of a Gothic protagonist but, like many, does not necessarily fall into just one categ ory.