Essay on "Macbeth the Development and Availability"

Essay 4 pages (1399 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Macbeth

The development and availability of increasingly sophisticated equipment and consumer goods ever since the Industrial Age has spawned a paradigm of materialism in society that is unparalleled by any other era in history. In the world today, cars, computers and televisions have become the desire of every working-class heart. They have become status symbols to show off to friends and to make them green with envy. The fact that these things have become increasingly available, as money has become more accessible to people, makes it difficult to relate to the words by Aristotle, "Those who want the fewest things are nearest to the gods." Nevertheless, persons who live by a more spiritual paradigm, preach that material things cannot provide happiness. Indeed, Aristotle's words are reminiscent of those by Christ: "Man shall not live by bread alone," where the word "bread" is symbolic of material comfort and wealth. It is also interesting to examine the paradigm of wealth and how this relates to culture as society moves through time. In Shakespeare's world, for example, extreme wealth and comfort were enjoyed at their ultimate peak generally only by royalty. Aristotle's claim regarding materialism is however demonstrated to be true in the play. The same is often true in works of art created for modern people. It is as if there is a general movement away from the extreme materialism induced by the explosion of technological development. People today, like Macbeth in Shakespeare's play, are realizing that material wealth is after all not the ultimate pathway towards true happiness. This is demonstrated in films such as "Bruce Almighty" and "How the Grinch stole Christmas," as well as songs such as "Stairway to Heaven." Modern paradigms of happiness and spirituality relate not so much to the divine manifestation of an external god as to the "god within" of human connections and friendship paradigms. If a modern closeness to the "gods" is understood as a proximity to the fellowship of humanity, Aristotle's claim could also be understood as true in terms of modern-day society.

In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the object of the main character's desire is kingship. He is tempted to action by a witch's prophesy. Macbeth wants the power of being king so badly that he would do anything to fulfill the prophesy, even if it means sinking to levels that are out of his character. He resolves to kill the existing king, Duncan. When he does obtain his desire, this does not make Macbeth happy, and Banquo, his friend, inquires, "Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?" (Act I, Scene 3). Macbeth is experiencing not only the guilt of the murder, but also the insecurity of his high position. Wealth and power, according to the play, come with incremental proportions of worry and insecurity. These increase the focus on material things and also on the necessity of preserving one's physical life. This removes the focus from higher, spiritual things, substantiating Aristotle's claim.

The claim is further proven by Macbeth's increasingly desperate actions in order to retain his position. He goes as far as committing two more murders; this time his friend, Banquo and even his son, Fleance. Macbeth's motive for the latter murder is sparked by a further prophesy that his son would become king. Still, the illusion of increased security is considerably shadowed by Macbeth's knowledge of what he has become: "To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself." (Act II, Scene 2). In this way, Macbeth faces an inner dichotomy between the innocence he is trying to portray and the guilt he is aware of as he commits murder in order to retain his position of material power and wealth. The sins of selfishness and murder drive him increasingly away from a more spiritually aware existence.

The effort itself of protecting his material possessions has the same effect: it makes of him a man without principle. Macbeth severs completely his connection with the divine in his pursuit of the material world. This effort is rewarded by a false sense of security that eventually brings about Macbeth's downfall. Hecate confirms this with her words: "As by the strength of their… READ MORE

How to Reference "Macbeth the Development and Availability" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Development of Adolescents Essay

Adolesents

Development of Adolescents

It is important for teachers and adults to be familiar with adolescent cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in order to create an environment conducive to… read more

Essay 7 pages (2058 words) Sources: 7 Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Immigrant Children's Development Children Immigrating Essay

An inability to integrate both cultures may leave children alienated and in socio-cultural limbo, and therefore vulnerable and at high risk for poor psychological adjustment and behavioral problems.

Conclusion

The… read more

Essay 6 pages (1855 words) Sources: 8 Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Function of Language in Macbeth Conclusion

Macbeth's Desire For Kingship: Conclusion

This paper uses a Lacanian hermeneutic to argue that Macbeth enters into the discourse of the witches in a manner which explains his moral trajectory… read more

Conclusion 5 pages (1820 words) Sources: 1 Style: MLA Topic: Language / Linguistics

---

Lifespan Development Term Paper

Lifespan Development: Britney Spears

Many people believe that they know Britney Spears. Having grown up in front of a camera, first on Mickey Mouse Club, and then as a major… read more

Term Paper 13 pages (6197 words) Sources: 14 Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Macbeth Shakespeare Is Perhaps the Most Famous Essay

Macbeth

Shakespeare is perhaps the most famous playwright of all time. It is hard to imagine that in the seventeenth century, Shakespeare was just another playwright alongside others such as… read more

Essay 3 pages (1018 words) Sources: 3 Topic: Government / Politics

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>