Macbeth: Contrasts of Nature :: Macbeth essays

Macbeth Contrasts of Nature         In the play, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses contrasts of temper in variousways.  He systematically shows us that Macbeth and his wifes actions go againstnature.         The first lines of the play are a condensed edition of the un indispensablenessof things to come.  In thunder, lightning or in pelting?  ( I, i, 2).  In nature,thunder, lightening and rain occur together, but Shakespeares use of the wordor  infers the unnatural position of one without the others.  When battleslost and won ( I, i, 4),  is also not a natural occurrence.  Battles are eitherlost or won.  Shakespeare is implying the future opposites of nature in theforthcoming play.  Fair is foul, and foul is fair (I, i, 11),  further showsthe use of inversions and paradoxs in nature that Shakespeare entrust usethroughout the play.         One of the main controversies of nature for the reader is that in spiteof Macbeths evil numbers, we still find him appealing.  We visualise him in the same waythat the King does when he welcomes him by saying,  O valiant cousin Worthygentleman (I, ii, 24).  We perceive him as valiant, because he is afraid ofsacrificing his humanity. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantasticle. /Shakes so my single state of matter of man that function / Is smothered in surmise andnothing is / alone what is not (I, iii, 139-41).  Macbeth has doubts about thepredictions of the witches.  He knows that it could be a trick and hismisgivings present him seem to be a better person.         Another thing that makes Macbeth likeable to the reader is the contrastwith his wife.   It is clear from her beginning that she is evil.  She hasreservations about Macbeth not being evil enough.  Yet do I fear thy nature (I,V, 14).   She fears he is too good to do the kind of evil deeds that she isplanning.         later Macbeth murders the King, he realizes the extent of evil that hehas committed, but also realizes that the deed is done and there is nothing thathe can do to objurgate it.  As they had seen me with these hangmans hands /Listning their fear.  I could not say Amen / When they did say beau ideal blessus (II, ii, 27-29).  The fact that Macbeth is very troubled, and continueshis tirade, Will all coarse Neptunes ocean wash this blood / Clean from myhand?  No, this my hand will rather / the multitudinous seas incarnadine, /Making the green one red (II, ii, 59-62), evokes kindness for him from the