Macbeth vs. Henry V Essay

Shakespeares play Macbeth shows the roots of all evil, our own human nature. The play is centered on the coexistence of safe(p) and evil. Macbeth, unlike any other Shakespeare play has the protagonist convert to evil. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is shown as a hero in the Scottish army, that is ironic because Macbeth defeats a traitor and he himself becomes one later. Macbeth knows his place in the world. He is fully capable of distinguishing between right and wrong. Macbeth purposely disregards his own moral judgment to wind to power which is again ironic and goes against his own beliefs. Macbeth provides as a symbol for Satans sin of desire. Like Satan, Macbeths thirst for power and ambition drives him to commit evil.Contrary to the theory of supernatural forces he is responsible for his own actions. The Three Witches and Lady Macbeth were only influencing factors in Macbeths demise. Macbeth was pressured to do a horrible achievement which was driven by evil. The begi nning of the evil was rooted in his wife and the witchs but quickly spread into his mind and heart. The Three contend a part in predicting the evilness of Macbeth which is known as the prophecy and Macbeth receives it from them.After receiving this prophecy, Macbeth starts to transform into an evil man who will non let anything stand in his way. For instance, when Macbeth is questioning whether or non he should murder Duncan, Lady Macbeth fools Macbeth into thinking about how any real man would commit the murder. She quotes What beast wast/ then, / that made you break this enterprise to me? / When you durst do it, then you were a man / and to be more than what you were, you would/ be so much more the man (Act 1 scene vii lines 53-58).she sees the opportunity to kill Duncan and make Macbeth king. She knows Macbeths ambitions, but says he lacks the ruthlessness, and although Macbeth will take an opportunity, he wants to earn his honours honestly. He likewise knows the murder would be wrong and he would end up paying for it. Macbeth makes a firm statement saying that We will proceed no win in this business(I.vii.32). But subsequently speaking with Lady Macbeth he counter decides and proclaims, I am settled, and bend up/Each corporal means to this terrible feat. Macbeth now proclaims himself king, fore-filling his ambition.Macbeths guilt is recognized after the killing of the king when he is unable to answer himself. Macbeths net wrangle in this scene tell us he has committed himself to the path of evil. I am in blood, stepped in so far that, should I walk no more, returning was astedious as go oer. He acknowledges his torturous pain and knows in that respect is no way of stopping it. He has ruined his life forever. Macbeth now doesnt have a place among the others. He became enraged as he knew that that was true but later judge it by going to meet with his own evil kind, the witches. Macbeth becomes ruthless and kills at will without feeling guilt. He i s now a tyrant, ruling with fear until the tartness end.The thought that one can use language, rather than the conventional brute strength exemplified by Hercules and Beowulf, to achieve a beneficial outcome can be supported by atomic number 1s character in William Shakespeares hydrogen V. King hydrogen V assumes his role as king after the death of his father, Henry IV. Prior to ascending the throne, Harry, as his friends call him, was known for his debauchery. Harry was an im force prince, but as the King of Eng region, he suddenly becomes mature and wise. Henrys bishops convince him of his right and duty to acquire the throne of France. Soon, Britain is preparing for war and fully supporting their king in his pursuit of the French crown.Henrys powerful words prove his ability to rouse his troops and frighten the enemy. Unlike more traditional heroes, Henrys heroism is not shown in battle, but rather before the battle. Because Henry is able to put fear into the enemy with his threatening messages, the opposing army may not exhort as well as one might expect. As seen at Harfleur, the governor surrenders to save the lives of the citizens.The linguistic communication that Henry makes demonstrates Henrys clever tactical maneuver with his enemies. The king does this so that the governor will surrender and Henry can conquer Harfleur without a bloody battle. Although his speech sounds menacing, a quality not anchor in the characteristics of a hero, it is only a tactic Henry uses to achieve the outcome he wants. Henrys reluctance to make good on his promise of this massacre is proven when he states, use mercy to them all (III.3. 54). Henry is not the monster he appears to be instead, he is a leader using any method he can to gain land while keeping his troops out of harms way.At the final Battle of Agincourt, Henrys ragged army expresses concern about their odds against the French the British are outnumbered five to one. Henrys first cousin Westmoreland. H enry, being the talented rhetorician that he is, soothes the armys fears by delivering the inspirational speech If we are marked to die, we are now To do our rural area loss and if to live,The fewer men, the greater share of honor. But if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive. (IV.3. 21-30). Henry explains that there is a certain amount of honor to go around once the British defeat the French. It is fortunate of those soldiers that are at the battle that they do not have to share that honor with men who are fearful and therefore unworthy of honor. Henry says that honor is most substantial to him and that it should also be important to his army. The soldiers, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, will go into battle and claim that honor not just for their king, but for England as well Henry explains what the British do Will stand a-tiptoe when this day is comprised this day, and comes safe home, on this day will be with them for the rest of their lives He that outlives And rouse him at the name of Crispian The he will strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say, These wounds I had on Crispians Day.. (IV.3. 42-52). What feats he did that day. Henry somewhat shows his softer side by expressing concern for his troops. Henry tells them he knows some will die, but those who survive will be well respected for the rest of their lives. With the reward of greatness being dangled in present of him, a speech like this can sway even the most fearful soldier into becoming the fiercest fighter. It can be argued that Henry is not a hero at all because he is fighting a meaningless war and that lives are being lost for no reason. While that might be true in ones opinion, Henrys opinion is quite different. Henry believes this war is for the greater good. If the British win the war, they gain land and Henry attains the crown of France he believes he deserves. Henry and the British people believe this war is justified they cannot be faulted for doing what they believe in.Henry satisfies the qualities in the interpretation of a hero in using his masterful rhetoric. Henry has fought an impossible war against the French. In the final battle, the British were greatly outnumbered, but managed to escape with stripped casualties. The French, however, were not as fortunate and lost a total of ten thousand. This embarrassing defeat of the French proves just how effective Henrys speech was in improving the morale of his doubtful army. Henrys coldness and ruthlessness are masks that hide a man who would do anything to protect his countrymen. He uses scare tactics in his rhetoric to belittle the enemy while at the same time inspiring his men.Remember, the definition of a hero states that courage and firmness in any course of action qualifies one for the classification as a hero. Henrys bravery and firmness are equal in his words, rather than his sword, therefore proving him to be a rhetorical hero.Of the two heroes Henry the V and Macbe th the more intelligent and ruthless is Henry because Macbeth was always on the lookout about making his decisions and needed the help of his wife who played the leading role in taking decisions be it to murder someone or to plot plans to get the throne. She was the more stronger person therefore she took the decisions as to what to do. Henry on the other hand did everything on his own and never liked the interference of anyone in his plotting.