In “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen, a protagonist that was at times unlikable/unsympathetic to readers would be Marianne Dashwood. This was due to her dramatic character, as she was the sensible sister whereas Elinor Dashwood was sense. She allowed her emotions to overpower her rationality causing her to act mindlessly and out of impulse. In comparison, Elinor acted out of sense and reason, which made readers more sympathetic to Elinor at times due to her non-dramatic behavior. There is also Victor Frankenstein and the monster in “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, and readers could have found either or both characters difficult to sympathize with or like. With Victor Frankenstein, readers may have disliked him due to his rejection of the monster he created, who only wanted his love due to the fact that he was lonely as everyone found him scary and rejected him when they saw him. Also, there was the monster who killed the people that Victor loved as vengeance. In “Macbeth”, Macbeth is the main protagonist and readers are no longer able to view him sympathetically due to his orders to murder those (Banquo and Fleance) that threaten him as king. This characteristic of ambition towards …show more content…
Macbeth knows that if he wants to become king then King Duncan must die, as he is the main person preventing this from occuring. This quote foreshadows the murder of King Duncan which ultimately results in Macbeth being crowned king since Duncan's sons flee the scene for protection, in order to prevent getting murdered themselves since they're next in line for the throne. This shows Macbeth's ambition because he is willing to do anything to get to the throne and become king even if it means murder. Macbeth even realizes that he is beginning to have “black and deep desires” in Act 1, Scene 4, and this shows his ambitious thoughts to murder the
“Frankenstein” written by Mary Shelley is a book that everyone should read since it's a great book that many recommend . This book is recommended because the plot is interesting since the main character named Victor had done experiments by trying to create a living organism that looked like a human. The thing he did not know was this living organism that he created was something he was going regret since it came back to haunt him and kill many persons he loved. The reason for this was that the living organisms did not like who he was since he was hideous and wanted a companion because he was not accepted in society. Also another book that is recommended is “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” by Thomas Foster.
Literature frequently reflects the complexity of human nature by delving into the thoughts and deeds of flawed characters. Two examples of these types of characters are Victor Frankenstein from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Macbeth from William Shakespeare's "Macbeth." Although both characters engage in horrifying crimes and wrongdoings throughout their individual stories, readers are still able to empathize with them. This essay will examine the potential for audience empathy for Victor Frankenstein and Macbeth following their crimes and wrongdoings, as well as the elements that may lead to it. The portrayal of Victor Frankenstein and Macbeth's inner struggles and psychological turmoil is a crucial element that can elicit empathy for
Macbeth shows that he his ambition the second he thinks about murdering Duncan. Even though he does, he isn’t very confident in his thoughts. He says to himself, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical / Shakes so my single state of man.” (1.3.152-153)
In Macbeth when Duncan’s murder is committed by the tusted Macbeth, Macbeth is aware of the severity of his actions; “ What hands are here! Ha –they pluck out mine eyes! Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash his blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red” however, despite Macbeth’s will to stop the evil, his uncontrollable ambition continues to rule his conscience. Due ringleader of ambition controlling the mind of Macbeth, this causes Macbeth to possess an unhesitant murderous desire, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man That function is smother’d in surmise, and nothing is but what is not” and thirst for power; “I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, but only vaulting ambition” which as result causes inexorable disastrous actions in
In his greed, or desire to fulfill the prophecy, Macbeth murders several people, including King Duncan and Macbeth’s own friend Banquo. As he is trying to talk himself out of murder, he says, “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’er leaps itself and falls on the other” ,(Act 1 Scene 7 Shakespeare 62). Then Macbeth realizes that greed is his only motivator, yet he continues to pursue the thrown. The theme ambition plays a big role in Macbeth testing Macbeth disloyalty. Macbeth said to himself, “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires”, (Act 1 Scene 4 Shakespeare 48) “Stars, hide your fires” is personification.
Frankenstein In most fiction stories, there are always two characters that do or do not represent different sides of the same character. Frankenstein is a short gothic horror story written by Mary Shelley. Shelley writes about a scientist who created a being from dead body parts. Victor Frankenstein as the protagonist of the story created a monstrous character that was a reflection of himself.
Someone with high ambition is someone who has high aspirations and determination. Ambition can be viewed as a positive or negative characteristic to have. Depending on the circumstances and the person, ambition can either be helpful in reaching a common goal, due to determination and a strive for excellence, or ambition can be devastating to the process of reaching the goal, causing one to become blindsided by the task at hand. Overall, depending on the person and or character determines how ambition affects their goal, negatively or positively. Ambition is found in everyday tasks, society, as well as in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
(Shakespeare 1.3.52-55). Macbeth is influenced by his greed for power to use ruthless actions, in this case to kill Duncan to receive the crown he thinks he needs to earn that power. Overwhelmed by his greed, he is already thinking about the “murder” as he
Wes Flaa Mrs. Phillips History 11/30/15 Historical Influence on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein In 1816, the classic novel Frankenstein, was written by Mary Shelley after a dream that inspired the tale. The themes in the story are reflective of the time period in which she lived.
Macbeth shows that he is willing to kill King Duncan because he is interested in the witches prophecy, after they tell him that he will become ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and then the King.
The ambition of Macbeth seems to make him even more villainous as he seeks to be the ruler of Scotland. His "black and deep desires" (Act 1, Scene 4, Lines 55-60) make it clear that he (Macbeth) is ambitious for immoral goals, in which he wants none to know of. And when Macbeth is honest with himself, he admits that there's no good reason to kill Duncan, because Duncan is perfectly good being the King of Scotland. It is because Macbeth only want the power of King for himself (Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 25-28). Even as his ambition for becoming the King of Scotland is unraveled, Macbeth seeks to know more about being in power, such as when he asks the Three Witches how he will be King of Cawdor (Scene 1, Act 3, Lines 72-80).
“If good, why do I yield to that suggestion[killing Duncan]/Whose horrid image doth unify my hair” (I, III, 144-145). This quote indicates that the force of ambition is so strong within Macbeth that even he himself cannot understand why it is making him think of killing Duncan. Likewise, Macbeth’s ambition to become king is further emphasized after Duncan names his son Malcolm as his successor. Here, Macbeth says that he will have to “oerleap,/For in my way it [Malcolm] it lies” (I, III, 55-57).
Monsters are portrayed as evil villains who have no empathy for others and often care more about themselves; they are characterized from their traits and actions. A monster that was raised with harsh treatment will become evil in their adult life. The reason for this is a monster who has been surrounded by nothing but pure evil, will be influenced to become evil. This concept is demonstrated in the 1984 novels, written by George Orwell; and Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley. Both novels include characters that were mislead and shown false hope, thus displaying evil in both characters.
The audience can now see his desires as well as his ambition. At this point, Macbeth is still hesitant of revealing his true nature, but the audience gets a peek of what he yearns for. In addition, the witches’ predictions are known to be paradoxical, their predictions are never straightforward; they tend to have different interpretations. Macbeth kills King Duncan to obtain the power he was told he’d get. Despite that, the witches never said to kill King Duncan; they told him he would become king.
Although Macbeth did not have to fulfill his deeds, even with the influence that Lady Macbeth and the witches had on him, he still chooses to satisfy his plan. Shakespeare puts significance on the fact that Macbeth is just a tool whom is used by the witches and his wife, but like any other individual, he had the ability to choose his own path. Ambition can be a good thing, but too much can lead one to suffer due to their actions. Macbeth is shown as this respectful and dauntless hero of Scotland, but his ambition gets the best of him. He is willing to kill anyone who becomes a threat to him, including king Duncan and his good friend Banquo.