Does death offer a resolution in 'Macbeth'? - Advantages and disadvantages table in A Level and IB English Literature

Skip to content

Get Revising

Created by: cora_ah
Created on: 27-05-16 18:44

Does death offer a resolution in 'Macbeth'?

Advantages

Macbeth's death means that Malcolm is made king and the rightful heir is restored, thus ending the chaos his reign created - natural order triumphs
A04 Contextually it is important that the play ends with this restoration, due to the reign on James I to keep Shakespeare within his favour.
'Behold...the usurper's cursed head. The time is free.'
'calling home our exiled friends abroad who fled the snares of watchful tyranny.'

Disadvantages

There is no conclusion by the witches as to how Macbeth rose to power, so there is a sense that this dangerous supernatural force still roams free.
The death and devastation Macbeth's reign left behind cannot be changed; his death does not erase the damage already done, e.g. the slaughter of Macduff's family and Seyward's son.
'My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.'

Evaluation

Overall, Macbeth's death is crucial to the restoration of natural order. If Macbeth had survived the play, it would appear that Shakespeare was advocating treason, which would lead him into a lot of trouble.

Comments

No comments have yet been made