Shakespeare presents religion as exposing truths through the lexical field of piety. In Act 1, Scene II the Sergeant says the conquering forces of Macbeth was so great that it could "memorise another Golgotha". Shakespeare suggests that the conquering forces of Macbeth and Banquo sought to create a scene as memorable as the crucifixion of Christ which emphasises Macbeth's position as a Tragic Hero which suggests he will have a real downfall (that being the truth). The use of religion throughout the novel in situations where success is evinced only emphasises the Macbeth's committing regicide. Shakespeare's references to Christianity may cause the audience to associate Kings being God's representative thus a Jacobean audience may only feel more disgust and distaste towards Lady Macbeth and Macbeth murdering the King of Scotland. One might suggest the use of "Golgotha" reminds the audience of killing Jesus, who was God's representative then, and may reflect back onto Macbeth's actions which foreshadows what would come in Act 2, Scene 2, the audience will experience the butchery of Duncan and his attendants.
(The next stanza can be evidence for first paragraph too).
Shakespeare conveys religion as a moral compass through the use of dramatic irony. In Act 1 Scene 3, when the witches and Macbeth begin to liaise with each other, the three witches "All hail, Macbeth" which foreshadows that the witches are dangerous. In Matthew, Judas prepares to betray Jesus and Judas approaches Jesus saying "Hail, Master". Shakespeare relies on the audience to draw their own knowledge of the bible which would have appealed to Britons (majority being Christians in the 1600s and knowledgeable of the Bible). However, Macbeth turns an eye towards the supernatural and disregards the warning signals. Shakespeare's intention may have been to appeal to some members of the audience who were interested in witchcraft like King James I, who even wrote a book on his finds ('Daemonologie'). King James I, would have been the patron for Shakespeare's theatre company hence Shakespeare may have wanted to please the King. Moreover, the use of foreshadowing allows the audience to prepare for the worst as they may assume the witches are like Judas: traitors. However, Macbeth does the opposite which create a tense and thrilling effect from the audience.
Furthermore, the playwright uses a superlative in order to present religion as symbolic of Macbeth's downfall. In Act IV, Scene II, when Malcolm is discussing the future of Scotland with Macduff, he refers to Macbeth as "the brightest "angel" who would "fall". The use "brightest" may relate to Satan, as Malcolm suggests that people can be still virtuous even though the most virtuous (Macbeth) has become a traitor - the audience may compare this Lucifer, who was an angel before betraying God. 'Lucifer' meaning 'bringer of light' might also expose Macbeth as satanic and destructive which suggests he will have a tragic downfall. Shakespeare's use of religion allows the audience to have acknowledge the dangerous nature of Macbeth which creates tension and unease. A modern audience may feel synonymously to that of a Jacobean audience since biblical readings and Christian still remains a popular belief.
(The next stanza can be evidence for first paragraph too).
Shakespeare conveys religion as a moral compass through the use of dramatic irony. In Act 1 Scene 3, when the witches and Macbeth begin to liaise with each other, the three witches "All hail, Macbeth" which foreshadows that the witches are dangerous. In Matthew, Judas prepares to betray Jesus and Judas approaches Jesus saying "Hail, Master". Shakespeare relies on the audience to draw their own knowledge of the bible which would have appealed to Britons (majority being Christians in the 1600s and knowledgeable of the Bible). However, Macbeth turns an eye towards the supernatural and disregards the warning signals. Shakespeare's intention may have been to appeal to some members of the audience who were interested in witchcraft like King James I, who even wrote a book on his finds ('Daemonologie'). King James I, would have been the patron for Shakespeare's theatre company hence Shakespeare may have wanted to please the King. Moreover, the use of foreshadowing allows the audience to prepare for the worst as they may assume the witches are like Judas: traitors. However, Macbeth does the opposite which create a tense and thrilling effect from the audience.
Furthermore, the playwright uses a superlative in order to present religion as symbolic of Macbeth's downfall. In Act IV, Scene II, when Malcolm is discussing the future of Scotland with Macduff, he refers to Macbeth as "the brightest "angel" who would "fall". The use "brightest" may relate to Satan, as Malcolm suggests that people can be still virtuous even though the most virtuous (Macbeth) has become a traitor - the audience may compare this Lucifer, who was an angel before betraying God. 'Lucifer' meaning 'bringer of light' might also expose Macbeth as satanic and destructive which suggests he will have a tragic downfall. Shakespeare's use of religion allows the audience to have acknowledge the dangerous nature of Macbeth which creates tension and unease. A modern audience may feel synonymously to that of a Jacobean audience since biblical readings and Christian still remains a popular belief.
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