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Macbeth. Shakespeare found the story of Macbeth in “The History of Scotland” and used it as the basis for the play performed for James the VI of Scotland and I of England. The true version was altered by Shakespeare to make Banquo innocent with Macbeth being the sole murderer of Duncan. James was descended from Banquo and Fleance. However, this play is not about the history, although it lends an added edge. It is a play that teaches us the old lesson, crime does not pay, but we also have the suspense of a gripping and bloody murder story. Most interestingly, through the close study of the character of Macbeth, we see very clearly the effects of ambition, uncontrolled ambition, on a man who is basically of good intent, who clearly knows right from wrong……and whose guilt at committing the most terrible crime lead him to extreme paranoia. Shakespeare takes us on a journey through Macbeth’s descent from one foul deed to another. Macbeth is a complex character, first mentioned by the Third Witch in scene one. We hear about him firstly through narrative we do not see him. Instead Shakespeare has decided that we should learn about Macbeth from other characters. It allows him to paint a picture in our minds, which he then twists as the plot demands. Initially all is well. In Scene 2 where Duncan is camped, a badly wounded Sergeant meets Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain and Lennox. Malcolm tells him to tell the king his “knowledge of the broil,” as he saw it.
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