In the opening of the play, Macbeth is not presented as a flawed character. We are given hints that he is a strong and dominant warrior . Macbeth is respected by his fellow soldiers. He is a fierce and strong character who might have a positive role in the rest of the play. Despite, the fact that he is such a dominant warrior and has a passion and talent for killing could suggest that he has a darker side to his personality. This is evidence from when the captain describes how loyal, brave and patriotic Macbeth was when he fought the Norwegians: “For Brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-distaining fortune, with his branished steel, which smoked with bloody execution like valor’s minion.” The metaphor (branished steel) creates an image of Macbeth in a over-powering and threatening way which makes him seem totally unbeatable and invincible. Shakespeare describes in a way which makes the reader feel a sense of un-ease. The description of Macbeth made by Shakespeare is gives the reader hints. The way he writes makes the reader feel he has a darker side to his personality. All the adjectives used creates an apprehensive and dread feeling for the reader leading to anxiety and suspicion. The hyperbole (bloody execution) creates an image of Macbeth being ruthless and essentially a killing machine. These descriptions are of the highest praise, admiration and honour to Macbeth. The metaphor ‘valour’s minion’ is ironic because whereas in this case his daring is advantageous, it foreshadows later in the play. Shakespeare’s description makes the reader feel like Macbeth has the ability to completely dominate the world. Shakespeare writing makes us feel he is a two-faced character as his presentation of Macbeth give the reader an uncertain and underlying feeling and suspicion of his ability. The contextual factor of witchcraft give him hope and confidence. He starts to conjure up an image and fantasize about himself killing the king and being crowned the new king which creates an image of the audience having suspicious thoughts of witchcraft.
In the opening of both stories, the main characters have strong differences between them. In Macbeth, he is portrayed as a dominant and essentially a killing machine whereas Scrooge is portrayed as a ‘squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner’. This is demonstrated when Scrooge meets the charity workers and refuses to give donations: “Are there no prisons? Union workhouses, treadmill and the poor law in full vigour”. This response portrays Scrooge as a cold-hearted and bitter character towards others, especially the poor. The use of the nouns ‘prisons, union workhouses, treadmill and the poor law’ create an image of Scrooge as a self-righteous character who makes negative comments about the poor. These contextual factors were a place where poor people would go if they couldn’t cope financially. On the other hand, it also creates the feeling that Scrooge is a self-contained and ‘solitary as an oyster’ character. Both characters share similar characteristics as they are both naive. Charles Dickens presents Scrooge in this way to give the reader an insight of his character which creates an image of a tight, almost heartless negative person. Dickens father was in debtor’s prison and the character of Scrooge demonstrates how many people suffered who were much like Dickens’ father. Scrooge doesn’t like to mix himself with the poor which represents the attitude of the rich towards the poor, which Dickens directly suffered because of.
In this scene, we see a development in Macbeth’s character. Shakespeare starts to present Macbeth as a flawed character whereas in the beginning of the play, Shakespeare presented Macbeth as a noble man. We can see there are a number of flaws developing in his character. He begins to be manipulated by his wife who has planted the seed in his head that he can become king. However, he has second thoughts about killing the king and guilt and hesitation start to twist his mind . These emotions presented by Shakespeare demonstrate a strong character but we see his ambition over-riding his flaws. During the soliloquy, he says: “If it were done when ‘tis done, then’ twere well it were done quickly”. “But in these cases we still have judgement here”. Shakespeare creates an image of Macbeth as he lacks control, almost unable to cope with the mental state of his thoughts and the obsessive desire from his wife for him to become king. Lady Macbeth knows he was essentially a legendary icon on the battlefield but classes him as gutless if he doesn’t act upon her ambitions. Macbeth is presented as an anxious, determined and confused character. Shakespeare plays a contrast game where at the beginning he wasn’t depressed or manipulated whereas, the emotional description show the more vulnerable and physiological side of his character. The second quote shows he is having doubts. This links to the belief at the time that the Divine Right of Kings. Any attempt to dispose the king may constitute a sacrilegious act. Macbeth knows his actions may result in severe consequences which creates an image of confusion, doubt and suspicion for the reader. This explains the nervousness and apprehension for Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the human condition in a way to describe his inner feeling . The witches predcition constantly play his mind. Shakespeare wants the reader to feel the emotions which foreshadows the reader’s mind that Macbeth has indeed doubted and influenced as the contextual factors had an impact on Macbeth which he doesn’t want to endure or go through. Also, the idea of the gunpowder plot links to the mental mind set of Macbeth. The actions taken against Guy Fawkes and his compatriots has spiritually had a massive impact on Macbeth. The soliloquy and the way Shakespeare expresses these thoughts, the reader can acknowledge that Macbeth is a confused and un-eased character at the moment as the contextual factors have hinted to Macbeth that killing the King is just not an option.
In the next part of the novella , we see even more of a difference between the two characters. Macbeth is portrayed as an uncertain, confused and puzzled character whereas Scrooge is presented as a scared, frightened and alarmed character. This is demonstrated when Scrooge remembers: “The ghost had warned him of a visitation when the bell tolled one. He resolved to lie awake until the hour was passed”. This portrays the character of Scrooge as a fearful and apprehensive character. The verb ‘resolved’ creates an image of Macbeth awaiting the arrival of the ghost in a trembling and anxious way. On the other hand, it creates an image of Scrooge’s personality isn’t as cold-hearted as his appearance. He seems to have a more emotional side that he hid from others. Both characters share some similar characteristics as they are both stubborn and reluctant. They both are content and feel their beliefs are far more superior. Charles Dickens presents Scrooge in this way to show the audience that Scrooge does feel emotions. This foreshadows later in the play as Scrooge begins to feels more emotions. Dickens wants the reader to fast-think to what this might foreshadow later in the novella.
Towards the denouement of the play, Macbeth feels a mixed of emotions which seem to destroy him mentally and physically. Macbeth has a thought which seems to constantly play over his mind. The first thought is jealously. Macbeth feels bitterness, spite hatred and animosity when he sees a vision of Banquo’s children becoming king. This is demonstrated when Macbeth says: “So is he mine; and in such bloody distance that every minute of his being thrusts against my near’st of life. I have to hide my real plans from the public eye for many important reasons”. The language has a big effect on his character. ‘In such bloody distance that every minute of his being thrusts against my near’st of life’ suggest every minute that Banquo is alive, it eats away his heart. Macbeth despises that Banquo’s children are to become king. This suggest to me that Macbeth can’t stand the sight of him and that Banquo is the most hated person in his life. This contrast earlier in the play as Macbeth had enjoyed the company and friendship that he shared with Banquo. Now we see that Banquo is Macbeth’s worst nightmare as the witches separate and cause friction in their friendship. ‘I have to hide my real plans from the public eye for many important reasons’ suggest to me that Macbeth is scared about when people realise that Banquo is missing. He is worried about suspicious people as Banquo has friends in common as him. He is anxious because he doesn’t think he will moan and cry over Banquo’s death in public. Shakespeare wanted the audience to feel the impact of Macbeth’s thoughts. From the beginning of the play, Macbeth is presented by Shakespeare as he has legacy of power which suggest he has the ability to kill and essentially a killing machine. His passion and natural physique suggest he has the will power to kill anyone as he killed King Duncan previously in the play. As Macbeth has no qualms about killing, it shows his higher status amongst his peers. It also shows that he can take control as his accomplishments speak for themselves. The phrases from Shakespeare creates an image for the reader where Macbeth is sick of Banquo existing and wants him dead to end the possibility of his children becoming kings. We now see his earlier willingness to kill people and feel no remorse. His darker side has now come to light. The audience feel that they can now recount the mind of Macbeth doing something unexplainable.
Towards the denouement of the novella, we see a different side of Scrooge when the ghost arrives. We see fear in his character which over-rides his emotionless attitude at the beginning. Foreshadowing comes to life when it was Marley’s ghost who appeared to Scrooge. In the middle of Macbeth, we see a presentation of him as a bewildered and indecisive character compared to Scrooge who is presented as a worried character. This is demonstrated when Scrooge says: “When the bell struck one, and no shape appeared, he was taken with a violent fit of trembling”. This quote presents Scrooge as a petrified, uneasy and anxious character. The use of the verb ‘trembling’ suggest to the reader that Scrooge is scared about the apparition of the ghost. The adverb ‘violent fit’ creates an image of Scrooge restless and tense as he eagerly agitated awaits the vision. Another alternative could be that his personality at the beginning isn’t as secret, self-contained as his appearance expresses. A marked difference in how his character is portrayed by Charles Dickens from the beginning to middle. Macbeth and Scrooge share some similar characteristics as they are both stubborn and reluctant to change their attitudes. This ideas of Scrooge feeling emotions foreshadows later in the play. Dickens tricks the reader into fast-thinking what the sudden feeling of emotions could foreshadow later in the play.
When Banquo’s ghost appears we see Macbeth’s flaws develop into a guilty, scared and rouged man. During the scene, Macbeth feels guilty about what he has done. Macbeth cannot live with himself as he can’t admit that it was him who planned the death of his best friend. Macbeth is presented as a flawed character as he seems to be a paranoid character. This is demonstrated when he says: “That, when the brains were out, the man would die, and there an end; but now they rise again, with twenty mortal murders on their crowns, and push us from our stools”. Shakespeare presented Macbeth like this towards the denouement of the play because a Shakespeare audience would have normally associated such feelings with the action of murder. The phrase ‘twenty mortal murders on their crowns’ creates an image of Banquo wounds that he had sustained by the murderers on him which shocks Macbeth. Also, the phrase ‘they rise again’ presents to the reader that Macbeth is totally shocked as Banquo’s ghost haunts him. When Shakespeare uses the phrase ‘push us from our stools’ to suggest to the reader that Macbeth cannot stand the sight of blood on Banquo and creates an image of Macbeth frightened of what he has done to Banquo. Superstition and belief in the afterlife was very strong in Shakespeare’s time which would have made the audience feel like ghosts were real. During Shakespeare’s time, people believed ghosts were real and the audience would have able to relate to the ghost of Banquo where they will be shocked and have a sight of horror when a ghost appears in front of Macbeth. This foreshadows that Macbeth was to be killed next. If Macbeth didn’t kill Banquo, it may have turned out that Banquo was going to become King and he would stay King until his children are old enough to become King. Indeed, it may have been Macbeth’s ghost who haunts Banquo.
In this scene, we see a development in Scrooge’s character. Charles Dickens presents Scrooge in a way where he regrets what he has done. He has recognised that his actions were wrong and starts to want to turn things around becoming a kind, loving man. In the beginning of the play Charles Dickens presents Scrooge as a ‘squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, and covetous old sinner’ whereas we now see Scrooge’s character becoming un-flawed. He has been visited by the last of the three spirits which change his character. These emotions presented by Dickens demonstrate a strong character but we see his more human, kind, emotional character. This is demonstrated when Scrooge cries: “Spirit, he cried, tight clutching at its robe”. Towards the denouement of the play and the novella, there is a big difference between the two characters. The use of the verb ‘clutching’ and the adverb ‘tight’ suggest he is scared of the future as his cold-hearted and anti-social has come back to haunt him. On the other hand, it could just suggest he is scared. Charles Dickens portrays Scrooge as a more generous and warm character. This foreshadows later in the play. His flaws are decreasing whereas, the flaws of Macbeth are increasing. Both characters flaws have opposite endings and experience flaws at different times. Dickens uses the character of Scrooge to suggest nobody is past redemption and there is always a chance to amend things for the better. Charles Dickens strived in changing the views of the rich and attitudes towards the poor that were so harsh at the time (Victorian society). This presentation of Scrooge’s character can link to the journey of the reader themselves.
After Macbeth’s deed has become public, people react to this in a angry and outraged way. Shakespeare uses a lot of emotive language to present Macbeth to the audience. This is demonstrated when he says: “Creeps in this petty pace from day to day. Out, out brief candle, life’s but a walking shadow”. This phrase used by Shakespeare to describe Macbeth suggest he has lost everything to the point where he feels worthless. The phrase suggest he doesn’t have the mental strength or mind-set of a fierce warrior which contrasts to earlier in the play. The phrase ‘day to day’ suggest to the audience that time just keeps plodding on and is relentless. The extended metaphor ‘ a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more’ propose to the reader that he feels his life is in total despair. The murders of King Duncan and Banquo propose it was not worth while. We see his character feeling emotions which involves guilt which foreshadowed earlier in the play where we were presented with a un-human and immortal character.
At the denouement, we see that Scrooge is turning into a more of a positive, excited character. The ghost of Christmas yet to come has terrified him. The grave and the vision of Tiny Tim dying has had an emotional effect on him. He starts to turn things around and share happiness within the Christmas period. We see a clear contrast in the attitudes towards Christmas from the beginning of the novella to now from Dickens. We now are presented a marked difference between the two characters. The flaws in them are opposite as Macbeth’s rise and Scrooge’s fall. We see the effect the ghost of Christmas Yet to come has had no Scrooge when he says: “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man”. The use of the repeated simile ‘as’ creates an image of Scrooge’s character expressing an more vibrant, warming approach to citizens of his town. His attitude at this time matches the feeling of Christmas. We see a change in his character as he fears for the future. The description of himself as happy, merry and giddy create an image of a positive, enlightened attitude towards the festive period. Charles Dickens portrays Scrooge in this way to suggest to the reader that no-one is past redemption and the time of Christmas should share a sense of togetherness and loving warm environment. This presentation of Scrooge’s character can link to the journey of the reader themselves. On the other hand, it could also suggest to the reader that the apparition of the ghost has forced Scrooge into a change of attitudes to Christmas and the poor.
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