Macbeth....

1. Answer this question on your course blog:  Imagine how the plot, theme, and tone of Macbeth would be different if Macbeth could gain more power by becoming good at something or learning something, rather than benefiting through another's loss.


The play as a whole would be different if Macbeth could gain more power by becoming good at something or learning something rather than benefitting through another's loss. The play is structured around a negative ambition of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the violence it brings. If this were to be replaced with a positive ambition such as if Macbeth defeated the previous king in a sword fight to gain the thrown or something in that area then the novel would be just like any ordinary story that has a sweet, happy ending. That is not what Shakespeare wanted nor known for. He was one who's stories intrigued the audience because of the fact that his pieces weren't like all of the ones previous, they were DIFFERENT. If he wanted to be just like every author  before him he would have portrayed Macbeth as a character who experiences little conflict or flaw and that's too boring. Shakespeare's intent is to depict characters and stories where conflict and violence is the only thing the audience gets to be exposed and related to. The story would signify nothing if Macbeth gained more power by becoming good at something or learning something rather than benefitting through the loss of one of his peers. The desparity and danger Shakespeare exploits in the play is what sets it apart from all the rest and it is what makes it interesting/fun to read.