An analysis of Macbets struggle Essay Example for Free

An analysis of Macbets struggle Essay Violence, blood and death. The quintessential characteristics of war. Shakespeares Macbeth is based on a war, but not your typical one. The real war in the play and the underlining factor leading to Macbeths death, is not fought on a battlefield, there are no swords, and no soldiers to swing them. The real war is fought in Macbeths mind. Macbeths conscience and vaulting ambition alternate in controlling his actions throughout the play. Many critics of the play believe that from the first scene to the last, Macbeths character is unchanging, and that he is always governed by his greed, selfishness and evil. This is not so. Right from the outset of the story, Macbeths indecisiveness is evident. In act I, Macbeth struggles a great deal in deciding whether or not to murder the king and take his throne. When Macbeth is first given the prophecy that he will be king, he dreads the thought of killing a man that has been like a father to him. This shows that Macbeth has a conscience, and that deep down inside, he is a good person. When he arrives home to his kingdom though, he is greeted by Lady Macbeth who reveals her plan to make her husband King when she says: I will pour my spirits into thine ear, And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round. (Iv, 24 26) Macbeths conscience tries to fight the constant attacks by his wife who insists that he should kill the king. Finally, Macbeth decides his fate, listens to the poisoned words of his wife and kills Duncan. Immediately after the death of Duncan, Macbeth is completely overcome by guilt. For the moment, he forgets about the now empty throne, and cant comprehend what or why he has done what he has done. When Lady Macbeth realizes that in a state of confusion he has forgotten to remove the daggers from the Kings room, she tells him to go back and get them. He replies by  saying Ill go no more./ I am afraid to think what I have done. / Look ont again, I dare not (II ii, 50 52). This passage outlines the fact that once again, his conscience has taken over control of his mind. Macbeth feels horribly about what he has done to his King. When Macbeth tries to wash the blood from his hands he remarks: Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incardine, Making the green one red (II ii, 60 63) Macbeth believes that what he has done will never be washed away from his conscience. He will always have the death of King Duncan hanging over his head. Unfortunately, this is the last we see of Macbeths conscience. Tormented over the likelihood of being unmasked as Duncans murderer, Macbeth continues his evil ways in an attempt to stay on the throne. His vaulting ambition has surfaced once more to overthrow any spot of good left in him and he shows no more remorse for Duncans murder. Wanting to become safely king, Macbeth plots out the murder of one of his best friends Banquo, the only other person besides Macbeth and his wife, who is aware of the three witches and their prophecy. Again, this shows that his need to succeed in life is overshadowing his conscience. Macbeths last, and most evil deed is the slaying of Macduffs family. Macbeth puts innocent women and children to death in an attempt lure Macduff back to Scotland so he can have him murdered as well. At this point in the play, it seems as though Macbeth doesnt have a good bone in his body. The little voice of reason inside his head has been snuffed out, and he decides that the only way to be a good King is to make drastic and rash decisions. Macbeth unravels before our eyes and is finally beheaded by Macduff in revenge for the slaying of his family. The war between Macbeths conscience and his vaulting ambition is not fought  on a battle field but still had all the exemplary attributes of one that is. Violent acts were carried out, blood was shed, and people died. The struggle going on In Macbeths head was finally over, his ambition the victor, and Macbeth himself the defeated. When the hurly-burly was done, the war in Macbeths mind was both lost and won.

Macbeth :: Essays Papers

Macbeth The witches and Lady Macbeth appear to dominate Macbeth's will, but in reality Macbeth is always in control. The confusion is created because, unlike these one dimensional, aggravating characters, he understands the complexity of the problem and must wrestle with his conscience. However, his action is based primarily upon his own desires. Ironically, given his understanding of the issues, he is horrified by the immensity of his crime once it has been committed and his terrified of the consequences. Clearly Macbeth understands the problem he faces and must struggle with his conscience. Throughout Macbeth's soliloquy in Scene 1 he expresses his feelings by saying, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives: Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. (Act 2, Scene 1) With that speech he is saying don't hear the steps I walk for fear they will give away my whereabouts. He wishes that the silence would break so he could finish his work. This meaning he wants the bell to ring, causing a break in silence, signaling him to kill Duncan so he can get his evil deed finished. To add to that point he also is saying that talking is delaying action. Actions being the killing of Duncan. The bold reality is that he is struggling within himself because he just wants to get it over and done with. He has everything under control now and just hopes that he wont be found out. The complexity of his problem between his ambition and loyalty he recognizes, knowing that he wants to do this but prays not to be caught in his act of disloyalty. Macbeth's ambitions are that of his own desire. The murdering of Duncan is purely what Mabeth truly wants. These desires are well pointed out during his soliloquy in Scene 1. He says, Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable

Media Coverage and the Right to a Fair Trial

In her written statement last November 9 2005, Barbara E. Bergman, the President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, aptly stated in behalf of the NACDL that the fundamental issue of every criminal trial is not to entertain, nor to educate, but to administer justice[1].The controversy regarding whether media coverage of criminal trials is detrimental to a fair trial or not is hotly debated and difficult to balance. Even high caliber lawyers have not reached a general consensus about the issue. The tension between the pros and cons of the said subject is still being balanced every time process of litigation is on going. Questions arising from this issue involved: How much of the media be allowed? Will it be helpful to let the media cover every trial of a particular case from start to finish?What about the parties involved? Does decision to permit the media or not be the sole right of the judge, or is it the right of all the parties involved, including the defendan t? These are but â€Å"some† of the important components that embody the whole subject. The apprehension is that, too much publicity might affect the trial’s fairness. The unrestrained freedom given might be used or manipulated to influence fair and just decisions on the parts of the jury and the judge.This paper covers the different views pertaining to media coverage/publicity of a trial. What are the advantages and disadvantages when media coverage is allowed? What are the effects – negative or positive – of the media to a fair trial?The Pros of PublicityArguments for media coverage inside the courtroom are solid and convincing. As cited by Bergman in her written testimony, it promotes â€Å"civic awareness† raises â€Å"government accountability,† and enhances â€Å"legal professionalism†[2]. Bergman was right when she pointed these three positive results of opening the court to the public via media reporting. A prying press, in th is case, has become and is indeed a friend and complimentary to the justice system. It exposes everything. When there is malpractice on the side of the police, the prosecutors, and the judges, the media is supportive and contributory in the exacting of fairness to the opposite side[3].It is also appeasing to the public, especially when a particular case is controversial – involving celebrities or notorious personalities. The public whose curiosity have made them a part of the trial must be given the chance to participate, or else, mistrust to jurisprudence will take place among people in general, as a result. Media coverage is of great assistance in this area.It prevents closed door proceedings and subjects people of authority to the scrutiny of the public and thus avoid further corruptions which could otherwise happen when media is banned from the deliberations. Another plus of the coverage of criminal trials is that it promotes respect to the justice system. It alleviates t he mystery of secrecy in closed insulated proceedings. When there is no care on the part of those involved in executing justice inside hearings and open trial is rather encouraged, public trust heightens, and thus deference to whatever outcomes – may it be comporting to the general sentiment of the public or not.Because there is also that â€Å"damning stigma† to the so-called pretrial publicity (an irony inherent to media coverage), open trial dispels this. The consequent result that oftentimes reverses the guilty verdict of the public restores the already smeared reputation of the criminal defendant. When charges are dismissed, and the premature guilty judgment is eventually proven wrong, the supposed criminal is vindicated before the watching community.Last point in favor of media involvement, is the benefit that the government, the people, and jurisprudence itself, obtain in this process. Insights to the already wisely crafted laws are contemplated and possible or potential modification of existing laws is considered. As Barbara E. Bergman has stated in her testimony, â€Å"Court TV must be credited for its considerable contributions in all of these areas†[4].The Cons of Media CoverageThe arguments against media involvement in judicial processes are equally convincing. There are also disadvantages to unrestrained media meddling. One primary concern is its negative effects to the parties involved in a particular litigation. The conspicuous presence of cameras inside the courtroom will affect the behaviors of the â€Å"main players† of a specific case.It will thus weaken the procedure or the â€Å"fair administration of justice†[5]. Because lawyers, defendants, jurors, and judges, and witnesses are aware that they are being watched, in this kind of scenario, their tendency is to act unnaturally; in other words, they may act hypocritically, and this will be to the detriment of fair judicial process. In the O.J. Simpson case, there were instances when crucial witnesses withheld their testimonies because of fear that they are being watched by the public[6].If the jurors had been made aware beforehand that the case they were handling would be televised and publicized, the overall verdict would definitely be affected. Concern for the public’s opinion of whatever the eventual decisions they will ever come up regarding the future of the defendant, will or may get into the deliberations process.ConclusionThe important thing in the whole scenario of judicial procedures everywhere is striking a balance between the pros and the cons of media involvement. First, of course is the fairness that begins in whose authority it is to say â€Å"yes† or â€Å"no† to the media. As the NACDL has forged and is now binding in the courts of America, all parties involved in the case – Judge, Prosecutors, Defendants, etc. – have to be asked. Everyone must be given the freedom to exercise his/he r right. Is it true that, because the eyes of the general public are watching a particular case, it thus precludes a fair trial?Does presence of cameras in the court demean and disrupt the proceedings? Are the participants in the hearing process – judges, attorneys, jurors, and witnesses – get affected negatively, and therefore adjust their behavior because they are conscious that they are being watched? No one knows for sure whether these are true or not. They may be in many cases, and again, maybe not. The important thing is to strike a balance in both sides and apply what is necessary to secure due process of law. Remember, the fundamental issue in every criminal trial is the administration of justice, not entertainment nor to educate.Works CitedBergman, Barbara. 2005. Cameras in the Courtroom. National Association of Defense Criminal Lawyers accessed on April 28, 2007 in. http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1672&wit_id=4801.Goldfarb, Ronald. The Trial of t he Century Accessed on April 28, 2007I Reiner, â€Å"Cameras Keep Justice System in Focus,† The National Law Journal, October 23, 1995, p. A23. in Goldfarb, Ronald. The Trial of the Century Accessed on April 28, 2007Cameras in the Courtroom. 2005 National Association of Defense Criminal Lawyers in   http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1672&wit_id=4801.Ibid. Goldfarb, Ronald. The Trial of the Century. Accessed in http://www.cosmos-club.org/web/journals/1998/goldfarb.html http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1672&wit_id=4801. Ibid. I Reiner, â€Å"Cameras Keep Justice System in Focus,† The National Law Journal, October 23, 1995, p. A23. in Goldfarb, Ronald. The Trial of the Century Accessed on April 28, 2007 in http://www.cosmos-club.org/web/journals/1998/goldfarb.htmlhttp://www.cosmos-club.org/web/journals/1998/goldfarb.html.   

Essay about Opposition Toward Same Sex Marriage - 883 Words

Many arguments against same sex marriage are based on religion. Orthodox Christians, for example, view marriage as a reunion of the essence of man and the essence of woman as portrayed in the book of Genesis. The bible statesâ€Å" If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.† (The NIV Study Bible, Lev 20.13). The United States however was not founded on, and is not ran upon, the laws of Christianity. The Federal Constitution of the United States of America outlines a proper framework for our nation to be run by. The federal constitution of the united states of America was written by well educated business men and political†¦show more content†¦in ScienceDaily). Biblarz and his colleagues at NYU revisited relevant studies about parenting then cross referenced them with data on single mother or single father households and gay or lesbian couples. Through their analysis they found no evidence of gender based parenting abilities. According to their study their where far more similarities than differences among children of traditional marriages and those of same sex couples. Judith Stacey, a contributor to Biblarzs study, puts this issue to rest when she states â€Å"The family type that is best for children is one that has responsible, committed, stable parenting.† She concludes by saying, â€Å"The gender of parents only matters in ways that dont matter† (qtd. In ScienceDaily). Family is the core component within a functioning society. A families responsibility in culture is to propagate the human race and to teach proper values to the children of the family. Marriage is the glue that holds a family together. The third group of arguments attempt to illustrate same sex marriages as corrosive to family values and bad for the sanctity of marriage. Its hard to watch the news for an hour and not hear family values mentioned, But what exactly are family values? In Dr. Jim Taylors article â€Å"Parenting : The Bad Rap on Family Values† he explains that Americans believe in the values of respect, responsibility, compassion, justice, tolerance, happiness, andShow MoreRelatedGay Marriage Should Be Legal930 Words   |  4 Pages2014 Gallup poll shows that support for same sex marriage in the U.S. has hit an all-time high of 55%. Whether or not Gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry has been a hot topic of debate over the past few years. Although support for the right of same sex marriage has gained massive amounts of attention from the media in resent months, not all are in favor of the almost undeniable and unavoidable changes to the laws restricting these types of marriages. 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Thousands of people are affected by same-sex marriage bans worldwide. The most widely approved estimate is that one in twenty people is homosexual (â€Å"Do Ask, Do Tell; Gay Statistics† 1). ThisRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Is A Matter Of Civil Law1270 Words   |  6 PagesSame-sex marriage is one of the most controversial issues in the modern world. In the past, marriage was recognized as a social union between a man and a woman and in most cultures, homosexuality was viewed as abnormal and forbidden. However, today, homosexual relationships are fighting their way towards global acceptance as the LGBT community has been extremely active, advocating for their right to marry since the early 90s. With an increased in tolerance for homosexuality in society, controversyRead MoreStereotypical Portrayal Of Homosexuals And The Homophobia Towards Homosexuals1656 Words   |  7 PagesNussbaum also believes that the stereotypical portrayal of homosexuals and the homophobia towards homosexuals is created by a disgust and that disgust is is what makes minority groups look inferior to majority groups. Nussbaum believes that â€Å"projective disgust plays no proper role in arguing for legal regulation, because of the emotion’s irrationality and its connection to stigma and hierarchy†¦Disgust, however, often prevents us from looking for those good reasons, creating the misleading impressionRead MoreArguments For Same Sex Marriage1483 Words   |  6 Pageslove regardless of gender, the rest of the country continues to forbid same-sex couples to marry (Ahuja) and in doing so, infringe upon one of the most basic freedoms we are allowed. Arguments for same-sex marriage, despite being backed up with hard legal evidence and Supreme Court rulings, continue to face opposition on the grounds of religious beliefs and personal values. Often cited by Catholics is an interpretation of marriage as â€Å"a promise made to God† and â€Å"a holy sacrament† that is only to beRead MoreThe Against Gay Marriage : Racism Or Proverb1737 Words   |  7 Pages Opposition to Gay Marriage: Racism or Proverb Racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. But discrimination is a treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category. Is the opposition to gay marriage an act of racism, discrimination or truth? Homosexuality and