Shakespeare's Characters
Shakespeare's works, such as the infamous A Midsummer Night's Dream, include many unique characters. His plays contain various characters, from kings and maids to ghosts, fairies, and messengers. His stories, such as Macbeth, reflected Shakespeare's life, but with his crafting techniques, he made the plays the brilliant works they are today. Shakespeare's characters showcase relatability, complexity, and morality. He portrays various emotional conflicts and personalities, allowing the reader to develop a deeper connection.
A well-renowned character who demonstrates a profound, humane understanding is Macbeth. Throughout the play, he experiences many life-altering choices that reveal his identity. In the beginning, Macbeth is known as an honorable nobleman. The Fates foresee that he will encounter two significant power promotions: Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth hears of this prophecy, which becomes true after King Duncan promotes Macbeth to Thane of Cawdor and tells her husband. Macbeth and his wife plan to murder the King so he can succeed in the role. The new King is overcome with feelings of insecurity, and all are filled with fear because "Macbeth doth murder sleep" (Shakespeare, Macbeth, I.II). "Things bad begun make strong themselves ill." (Shakespeare, Macbeth, I.II) Shakespeare's development of Macbeth explores the intricacies of human nature. He combines many elements, such as power, greed, and guilt, that lead to consequences of unbalanced power throughout the play. Shakespeare causes Macbeth to struggle with internal conflicts, ultimately leading him to his demise. Macbeth is created as a semi-historical figure; his character and Lady Macbeth raid the castle and murder King Duncan, but in history, Macbeth kills Duncan on the battlefield and declares himself the King. Shakespeare combines both history and human intricacies to create a powerful literary model.
A similar message is conveyed through the notable Hamlet. The infamous story, Hamlet, is argued to reflect the hardships of real-life figures: Shakespeare and Hamnet Shakespeare (his only son). Shakespeare's life became dominated by the loss of his son. Hamnet died at eleven; although it is not certain, historians believe the Bubonic Plague took him. Prince Hamlet's father is "murdered most foul" (Shakespeare, Hamlet, I.II), and Claude lineius, his uncle, marries his mother and becomes the new King of Denmark. A ghost appears, and it seems to be the spirit of the murdered King Hamlet. This ghost tells his son Claudius was his murderer, and Hamlet must avenge his death. Hamlet swears about the vengeance of his father, but he is sure to stay reasonable until he can prove this "poor ghost" (Shakespeare, Hamlet, I.II) to be true. Hamlet feigns madness, becomes truly mad, and ends with a tragedy. Claudius plots Laertes against Hamlet in the duel. The King's wife dies of the poison meant for her son, Laertes, and Hamlet both die of the poisoned blade, but before Hamlet dies, he kills his uncle, finally fulfilling his father's avenge. Hamlet's character explores the complexity and depth of human emotions. Hamlet explores themes of revenge and internal conflicts in order to show unique character development. Hamlet is not historically accurate, yet his purpose was to personify the grief experienced by a father and son separated by death. Shakespeare uses history, personal experience, and human nature to develop intricate characters that allow the audience to create connections with the play on a more personal level.
Ultimately, the protagonists in Shakespeare's works experience brutal psychological conflicts that connect his personal life and sometimes historical accuracy in complex ways. The precise development of his characters allows the audience to undergo the difficult and winding paths the protagonists go through as if they were experiencing it for themselves.