Themes of love in Macbeth and poetry. -School Essay- 11-20-2013, 11:32 PM
#1
So this is an English essay I had to do, it's 3,500 words long and I feel it's half decent. I was contemplating writing a short novel soon. I will post a first person narrative later on.
The essay:
Examine how Shakespeare presents love between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as their relationship develops.
The play “Macbeth” is a tale of many themes and messages, some more clear than others. I feel that love is one of the more hidden themes, in that you need to understand and interpret the thoughts and feelings of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
At the start of the play you are introduced to Macbeth who stumbles upon 3 witches who foretell his future. This is another important aspect of the play but does not relate much to love. When Macbeth discovers this news from the witches, he writes to Lady Macbeth to tell her of the news. This shows that Macbeth is excited and feels the need to tell his loved one. “My dearest partner of greatness, that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee” Is contained in the letter that Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth. “My dearest” shows his fondness of Lady Macbeth. The quote “partner of greatness” is unusual for a man to call his wife in this age. Women were normally abused and used as a status rather than considered an individual who can be loved and who can love in the time Macbeth was set. Referring to her as a “partner of greatness” shows that he sees them both as being equal and united as one.
Further on in the play Lady Macbeth appears to be leading the relationship, but not in an obvious manner. She is manipulating Macbeth in such a way he will perform what she wants him to do. Using this, Lady Macbeth plots a murder and enforces it upon Macbeth. I wouldn’t say this was abusing their love, but Lady Macbeth manipulating Macbeth’s obedience. When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are discussing this plan together, Lady Macbeth says “Leave all the rest to me”. Shakespeare creates intriguing situations by withholding information from their partner. Lady Macbeth also shows care and remorse towards Macbeth. She cares for Macbeth and is trying to plan a task that’ll greatly benefit him. She is not being entirely selfish, but she’ll still benefit from what she is performing. The term “Leave all the rest to me” also shows an opposite emotion towards Macbeth, the fact she is planning it herself without his input may show there is a loss of trust within the relationship.
The play proceeds and the murders occur. This causes a large deal of stress on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as individuals and also as a couple. After the murder Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have a factor to familiarise themselves with. This causes a bond between the two individuals as they have something to relate too.
The stress and guilt of the murders set into effect on Macbeth. He starts to become afraid and worried. Lady Macbeth is still strong at this point, she tries to use emotional blackmail on Macbeth to set his head straight. “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white. This is a way that Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to carry on her plans. “My hands are of your color” shows that Lady Macbeth has committed the same deeds as Macbeth, she has committed a murder crime so both of their hands are of the colour blood. When Lady Macbeth uses the phrase “I shame to wear a heart so white” she is referring to Macbeth’s cowardliness, how his heart is white and lacking the colour red, consisting of no blood, a coward.
The love between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth at this stage is weak, but still existent. They may not be as affectionate as before, (although they were never really affectionate) but there is still an underlying love between them. The emotions of committing such a crime such as guilt, reprisal and merciless may be affecting the way their love is shown.
As the play progresses furthermore, the relation between Macbeth starts to deteriorate. With small arguments and tension between them, it is apparent that they’re breaking away from each other. Lady Macbeth still shows some support for Macbeth in the way that she cannot let the commitments they’re done be known of. Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth “You must leave this.” Indicating that she is trying to comfort Macbeth. Macbeth replies by saying “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” Macbeth seems to be acting rationally to this advice by Lady Macbeth. When Macbeth responds with “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind” this indicates frustration due to the sarcasm in the response. He refers to his mind being “full of scorpions”, indicating that there are poisonous, deadly creatures within his conscience that are playing with his thought patterns. Using the creature scorpions is a metaphor referencing a poisonous mind. This may show that the acts he’s committed have caused him to become a deadly creature with a poisoned mind. He finishes his sentence with “dear wife!” indicating sarcasm towards his wife. This may be a bi-product of how she’s treated him. At this point in the play, the affection between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is dead. They feel isolated and alone, this is a clear physiological effect of committing murder.
Further down the story of the play, Lady Macbeth shows her inner demons. She says to Macbeth “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, whilst it was smiling in my face have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done to this.” This quote really starts to show Lady Macbeth’s true colours. Lady Macbeth refers to a child’s love in a caring manner. “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me.” This shows that she does have a loving caring side. This proves that she is a real woman and knows of love. She continues on to show her sinister side in the quote “whilst it was smiling in my face have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out” The way Shakespeare presents such a graphic depiction from Macbeth normally surprises the audience and causes them to feel uncomfortable. Referring to the fact she would have “dashed the brains out” of an innocent child brings an even more disturbing viewpoint to her. The reasoning for these disturbing actions is down to Macbeth reverting on a promise. “Had I sworn as you have done” shows that Lady Macbeth is rather fond of keeping a promise or agreement, which may explain why these two individuals are together in marriage. In the time Macbeth was set, it was seen that upon marrying someone you will be with them forever.
After some more time has progressed, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become more united again in that they can only discuss the matter with each other, and that they’re in the deed together. Macbeth plots a murder in belief it should relieve stress from the couple. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth in the matter and he responds with “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed.” Here Macbeth seems to regain control of the relationship by keeping Lady Macbeth in the dark of what’s happening. Macbeth refers to Lady Macbeth as “dearest chuck” projecting a small form of affection for one-another. Shakespeare presents love at this point by calling each other by little, romantic names.
The murder plot by Macbeth happens and this almost relieves Macbeth of his guilt. Shakespeare presents him as a much stronger character. Whereas he presents Lady Macbeth in the complete opposite state. Lady Macbeth falls unwell and sick with guilt. A doctor is called to review Lady Macbeth’s state and he reports back to Macbeth with the news “She is trouble with thick-coming fancies that keep her from her rest.” Macbeth must of not been focusing or thinking too much of it. There is recent news that he’ll need to return to battle so he is most likely occupied with that. Upon receiving the doctor’s analysis he responds with “Cure her of that.” Obviously being pre-occupied.
As Lady Macbeth falls even more ill, she eventually dies. Shakespeare is not clear how she died, but it is assumed she committed suicide. This is most definitely down to the guilt and stress driving her insane. Furthermore, when Macbeth receives this news he responds emotionless. With the response “She should have died hereafter, There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” The way that he responds with “she should have died hereafter” shows that it was inevitable and expected. Shakespeare presents Macbeths perception that she was dead in emotion already, she was just a peril less corpse. Where Macbeth receives this news before entering battle. He uses the phrase “There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” indicating that he was not ready to receive the news although expecting it. That “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” would have been a better time to receive this news.
Macbeth returns to the battlefield. This is the place he started and made a name for himself. He aspired to have a higher status so bad he did anything to obtain it, and it wasn’t worth it. When entering the battle Shakespeare presents him as sluggish and careless. This appears to be down to him losing his truly loved one. The woman that knew everything about him and stayed with him through thick and thin. Now that she has died he must feel entirely alone and dis-owned. He is careless in battle and is easily beat. Macbeth dies in battle to join his wife in the afterlife (this would have been strongly believed in the time Macbeth was set).
In summary of the play Macbeth, there is certainly a strong, constant underlying theme of love. It’s not an obvious kind of love where they state their love for one another, but it is deduced by their actions and attitudes towards each other. Some of the strongest male and female relationships are ones that can cope and recover from a problem. As the relationship develops over time their proven love fluctuates. They’ll go from calling each other romantic names to having sarcastic arguments. Although the amount shown fluctuates, there certainly still is an underlying love for each other. Shakespeare has presented love very well in this play, being able to infer what the love is and how it’s shown will differentiate between individuals. Some people will be able to notice and understand certain aspects whereas others may not due to their previous experiences. But overall the play presents love in an interesting way.
When comparing the poetry to Macbeth there are many links and similarities between them. The three poems I’m going to be studying are, ‘Sonnet 43’, ‘Havisham’ and ‘A Woman to Her Lover’. These three poems reflect and contrast the theme of love in Macbeth in a magnitude of different ways. Whilst discussing the theme of love, I would like to outline some of the few types of love. Idealistic, perfect, equal, physical and destructive are the most common forms of love.
The first poem I will look at is ’Sonnet 43’. This poem illustrates perfect and idealistic love. The opening line to this poem is a rhetorical question to herself, “How do I love thee? Let me count thy ways.” Then question “How do I love thee?” Is what sets the context of the poem, the rest of the poem is used to answer this first question. This is differing from the way Lady Macbeth expressed her love. Lady Macbeth would not have self-indulged in her love by asking herself questions and reflecting upon them.
The author of Sonnet 43 continues on to describe the ways she loves him, and by how much so. “I love thee to a depth and breadth and height” expresses her desire for him by comparing it to space. Love can be related to space in that you feel empty and alone when you’re heart has been broken, contrary to where you’re in love you feel full and contempt. “I love thee purely” indicates the theme of idealistic love. She has a pure, strong love for him that nothing can tamper or with or disrupt. This is similar and also different relating to Macbeth, in the way that there is an underlying pure love between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but it is not announced or easily shown.
The poem begins to show more devotion and adoration when the line “I shall but love thee better after death” is used. This truly shows devotion to him in that she would prefer to perish than him. This could relate back to Macbeth in that Lady Macbeth allegedly committed suicide. This could of been devotion to him, trying to draw attention away from the acts committed.
The term “I love thee with the passion put to use, in my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith” can be construed in multiple ways. The line “passion put to use” stands out in that she’s declaring her love for him with as much passion as she has. “With my childhood’s faith” is another interesting line due to the general innocence, adoration and attachment associated with a child.
Reviewing the poem ‘Sonnet 43’ I have concluded that it’s type of love and style is contradictory to Macbeth. In that the expression and type of love, being she announces her love and has a perfect and idealistic manor, whereas Macbeth has a destructive, familial scene of love. I also notice the poem was wrote by a woman. This only provides a female view on love, which may be different to a male’s view.
The next poem I am to compare to Macbeth is ‘Havisham’. This is an interesting poem in the sense of it being a physical and destructive form of love. Havisham is set as a woman reflecting on her love and situation. The poem expresses hatred and love for the same person.
“Beloved sweetheart bastard” is a strong, important opening line. “Sweetheart bastard” is a juxtaposition, this has a strong impact on the reader by being sharp and contrasting. A juxtaposition is used to place two contrasting words together, especially used to highlight the contrast and emphasize the meaning of the word. This also relates back to Lady Macbeth’s actions and style. Lady Macbeth is compassionate whilst also being horrible towards Macbeth.
“Spinster. I stink and remember” is another powerful and informative line in the sense of being blunt and sharp, showing disgust and emotion in her writing. She calls herself a ‘spinster’ – an unmarried woman. “I stink and remember” shows her physical state. Implying she ‘stinks’ represents her life. That she’s been left broken and alone.
“Not a day since I haven’t wished him dead.”
The poem conveys well-structured meaning by use of sharp, meaningful words. “I stabbed at a wedding-cake” also proves her physical state. The fact she ‘stabbed’ at a wedding cake expresses her frustration and anguish from the day she wed. Also the by using the term ‘wedding-cake’ we can assume that she’s left distraught by something wedding related. The shear violence of stabbing a wedding-cake can be related back to Lady Macbeth in the factor of violence.
After describing her anguish of the situation she mellows and proceeds to describe the emotions and thoughts she has. “Give me a male corpse for a long slow honeymoon” is a strong term in the factor of physical wellbeing. She seems to relate herself to a ‘corpse’ and deems herself unworthy of a living human. With the wedding cake and speak of a ‘honeymoon’ you get the impression that she was left at her wedding, and she’s not let her bridle status leave her and she cannot outlive the day.
“I don’t think it’s only the heart that b-b-b-breaks” supports the rest of the poem by stating not only her heart is broken, but she’s been left emotionally and physically destroyed. This has a strong link to Lady Macbeth in that they both have experienced destructive love. The acts Lady Macbeth performed physically destroyed not only her relationship, but also her wellbeing. This relates to how Macbeth reacts to Lady Macbeths death. In that he doesn’t show emotion, nor would Lady Havisham’s fled husband show emotion. “b-b-b-breaks” supports the argument of being physically broken. By a stammer being used, it creates the illusion of a distraught, shattered, old woman who will not leave her past.
My thoughts of Havisham is that it’s a destructive, physical kind of love. Both Havisham and Sonnet 43 do not directly relate to Macbeth. They appear to be the two extremes of love, whereas Macbeth sits in the middle of these extremes.
The third poem I will compare to Macbeth is titled “A Woman to Her Lover”. This poem relates most to Macbeth in that it does not reach the extremities of the others. Whereas it sits in the middle and expresses realistic and idealistic love. A Woman to Her Lover explores the way women were treated in the time of being wrote. It expresses what women where expected and deemed to do. The final verse of this poem shows idealistic love, and what she desires to redeem.
“I am no doll to dress and sit for feeble worship” shows the common expectance of women in the 18th century. “No doll to dress” shows that she won’t be used as a sexual object, she won’t be dressed and used. This was a common expectance of woman during this age. “Feeble worship” is an interesting line in that she will not allow herself to be used as a status, an object nor a benefit.
“I refuse you” this would never be heard of coming from a woman in the century. Due to women being unaccepted and had less authority than men forced upon them. The fact she refuses him is unexpected. This strongly relates to Macbeth in that Lady Macbeth has a back-bone, she stands up for herself. Although due to the periods of these women, they’re both strong and fight for themselves.
“But lover, if you ask me that I shall be your comrade, friend and mate ”here she changes her tone and starts to speak of her idealistic love, true love. She refers to him as her ‘lover’ implying she still does love and adore him. Just would just like him to be a ‘comrade, friend and mate’ to be a more realistic to the modern day 21st century meaning of love. For a male to actually adore a female and treat her as a friend and lover. This is to some extent similar to Macbeth in saying that she wants equality in the relationship, but, the author of the poem asks for equality whereas Lady Macbeth manipulates and forcefully obtains this equality.
After declaring what she wants in the relationship she devotes herself to him. “Then O husband, I am yours forever” . This is what was expected from marriage in the 18th century. But with no interest or passion in the relationship this was hard to maintain.
“Until we reach the very heart of god” in the 18th century, it was seen as common to be of a religion. Religion was taken seriously, so devoting yourself to your lover ‘until [you] reach the heart of god’ was seen as a serious declaration. This does not relate to Macbeth in that Lady Macbeth never devoted herself, nor did she make promises.
Looking back on A Woman To her Lover, I can see as this one to relate to Macbeth the most. It seems to explore a similar kind of love, not the limits of the love-spectrum. You can also gather a slither of male perception from this poem, it’s not obvious but there is more to base your assumption on.
The themes of love in these poems and play differ but also have a strong link. There is a true love and devotion underlining all of these. Each individual expresses this in different ways. But the way these themes are shown in Macbeth is by using soliloquies and monologues. This requires you to infer and think about their love, it’s not clearly stated unlike the poems. The most reliable source to judge love on is either ‘A Woman to Her Lover’ or ‘Macbeth’. It depends on how well you can deduce emotions and actions. ‘Macbeth’ is more reliable in gaining a view on underlying love, and true love. But it’s hard to see and notice these emotions, you also gain a view of love from both perspectives. ‘A Woman to Her Lover’ is more reliable to gain a view of idealistic and true love, as it is more stated, But only depicted from a single perspective.
The essay:
Examine how Shakespeare presents love between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as their relationship develops.
The play “Macbeth” is a tale of many themes and messages, some more clear than others. I feel that love is one of the more hidden themes, in that you need to understand and interpret the thoughts and feelings of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
At the start of the play you are introduced to Macbeth who stumbles upon 3 witches who foretell his future. This is another important aspect of the play but does not relate much to love. When Macbeth discovers this news from the witches, he writes to Lady Macbeth to tell her of the news. This shows that Macbeth is excited and feels the need to tell his loved one. “My dearest partner of greatness, that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee” Is contained in the letter that Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth. “My dearest” shows his fondness of Lady Macbeth. The quote “partner of greatness” is unusual for a man to call his wife in this age. Women were normally abused and used as a status rather than considered an individual who can be loved and who can love in the time Macbeth was set. Referring to her as a “partner of greatness” shows that he sees them both as being equal and united as one.
Further on in the play Lady Macbeth appears to be leading the relationship, but not in an obvious manner. She is manipulating Macbeth in such a way he will perform what she wants him to do. Using this, Lady Macbeth plots a murder and enforces it upon Macbeth. I wouldn’t say this was abusing their love, but Lady Macbeth manipulating Macbeth’s obedience. When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are discussing this plan together, Lady Macbeth says “Leave all the rest to me”. Shakespeare creates intriguing situations by withholding information from their partner. Lady Macbeth also shows care and remorse towards Macbeth. She cares for Macbeth and is trying to plan a task that’ll greatly benefit him. She is not being entirely selfish, but she’ll still benefit from what she is performing. The term “Leave all the rest to me” also shows an opposite emotion towards Macbeth, the fact she is planning it herself without his input may show there is a loss of trust within the relationship.
The play proceeds and the murders occur. This causes a large deal of stress on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as individuals and also as a couple. After the murder Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have a factor to familiarise themselves with. This causes a bond between the two individuals as they have something to relate too.
The stress and guilt of the murders set into effect on Macbeth. He starts to become afraid and worried. Lady Macbeth is still strong at this point, she tries to use emotional blackmail on Macbeth to set his head straight. “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white. This is a way that Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to carry on her plans. “My hands are of your color” shows that Lady Macbeth has committed the same deeds as Macbeth, she has committed a murder crime so both of their hands are of the colour blood. When Lady Macbeth uses the phrase “I shame to wear a heart so white” she is referring to Macbeth’s cowardliness, how his heart is white and lacking the colour red, consisting of no blood, a coward.
The love between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth at this stage is weak, but still existent. They may not be as affectionate as before, (although they were never really affectionate) but there is still an underlying love between them. The emotions of committing such a crime such as guilt, reprisal and merciless may be affecting the way their love is shown.
As the play progresses furthermore, the relation between Macbeth starts to deteriorate. With small arguments and tension between them, it is apparent that they’re breaking away from each other. Lady Macbeth still shows some support for Macbeth in the way that she cannot let the commitments they’re done be known of. Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth “You must leave this.” Indicating that she is trying to comfort Macbeth. Macbeth replies by saying “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” Macbeth seems to be acting rationally to this advice by Lady Macbeth. When Macbeth responds with “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind” this indicates frustration due to the sarcasm in the response. He refers to his mind being “full of scorpions”, indicating that there are poisonous, deadly creatures within his conscience that are playing with his thought patterns. Using the creature scorpions is a metaphor referencing a poisonous mind. This may show that the acts he’s committed have caused him to become a deadly creature with a poisoned mind. He finishes his sentence with “dear wife!” indicating sarcasm towards his wife. This may be a bi-product of how she’s treated him. At this point in the play, the affection between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is dead. They feel isolated and alone, this is a clear physiological effect of committing murder.
Further down the story of the play, Lady Macbeth shows her inner demons. She says to Macbeth “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, whilst it was smiling in my face have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done to this.” This quote really starts to show Lady Macbeth’s true colours. Lady Macbeth refers to a child’s love in a caring manner. “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me.” This shows that she does have a loving caring side. This proves that she is a real woman and knows of love. She continues on to show her sinister side in the quote “whilst it was smiling in my face have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out” The way Shakespeare presents such a graphic depiction from Macbeth normally surprises the audience and causes them to feel uncomfortable. Referring to the fact she would have “dashed the brains out” of an innocent child brings an even more disturbing viewpoint to her. The reasoning for these disturbing actions is down to Macbeth reverting on a promise. “Had I sworn as you have done” shows that Lady Macbeth is rather fond of keeping a promise or agreement, which may explain why these two individuals are together in marriage. In the time Macbeth was set, it was seen that upon marrying someone you will be with them forever.
After some more time has progressed, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become more united again in that they can only discuss the matter with each other, and that they’re in the deed together. Macbeth plots a murder in belief it should relieve stress from the couple. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth in the matter and he responds with “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed.” Here Macbeth seems to regain control of the relationship by keeping Lady Macbeth in the dark of what’s happening. Macbeth refers to Lady Macbeth as “dearest chuck” projecting a small form of affection for one-another. Shakespeare presents love at this point by calling each other by little, romantic names.
The murder plot by Macbeth happens and this almost relieves Macbeth of his guilt. Shakespeare presents him as a much stronger character. Whereas he presents Lady Macbeth in the complete opposite state. Lady Macbeth falls unwell and sick with guilt. A doctor is called to review Lady Macbeth’s state and he reports back to Macbeth with the news “She is trouble with thick-coming fancies that keep her from her rest.” Macbeth must of not been focusing or thinking too much of it. There is recent news that he’ll need to return to battle so he is most likely occupied with that. Upon receiving the doctor’s analysis he responds with “Cure her of that.” Obviously being pre-occupied.
As Lady Macbeth falls even more ill, she eventually dies. Shakespeare is not clear how she died, but it is assumed she committed suicide. This is most definitely down to the guilt and stress driving her insane. Furthermore, when Macbeth receives this news he responds emotionless. With the response “She should have died hereafter, There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” The way that he responds with “she should have died hereafter” shows that it was inevitable and expected. Shakespeare presents Macbeths perception that she was dead in emotion already, she was just a peril less corpse. Where Macbeth receives this news before entering battle. He uses the phrase “There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” indicating that he was not ready to receive the news although expecting it. That “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” would have been a better time to receive this news.
Macbeth returns to the battlefield. This is the place he started and made a name for himself. He aspired to have a higher status so bad he did anything to obtain it, and it wasn’t worth it. When entering the battle Shakespeare presents him as sluggish and careless. This appears to be down to him losing his truly loved one. The woman that knew everything about him and stayed with him through thick and thin. Now that she has died he must feel entirely alone and dis-owned. He is careless in battle and is easily beat. Macbeth dies in battle to join his wife in the afterlife (this would have been strongly believed in the time Macbeth was set).
In summary of the play Macbeth, there is certainly a strong, constant underlying theme of love. It’s not an obvious kind of love where they state their love for one another, but it is deduced by their actions and attitudes towards each other. Some of the strongest male and female relationships are ones that can cope and recover from a problem. As the relationship develops over time their proven love fluctuates. They’ll go from calling each other romantic names to having sarcastic arguments. Although the amount shown fluctuates, there certainly still is an underlying love for each other. Shakespeare has presented love very well in this play, being able to infer what the love is and how it’s shown will differentiate between individuals. Some people will be able to notice and understand certain aspects whereas others may not due to their previous experiences. But overall the play presents love in an interesting way.
When comparing the poetry to Macbeth there are many links and similarities between them. The three poems I’m going to be studying are, ‘Sonnet 43’, ‘Havisham’ and ‘A Woman to Her Lover’. These three poems reflect and contrast the theme of love in Macbeth in a magnitude of different ways. Whilst discussing the theme of love, I would like to outline some of the few types of love. Idealistic, perfect, equal, physical and destructive are the most common forms of love.
The first poem I will look at is ’Sonnet 43’. This poem illustrates perfect and idealistic love. The opening line to this poem is a rhetorical question to herself, “How do I love thee? Let me count thy ways.” Then question “How do I love thee?” Is what sets the context of the poem, the rest of the poem is used to answer this first question. This is differing from the way Lady Macbeth expressed her love. Lady Macbeth would not have self-indulged in her love by asking herself questions and reflecting upon them.
The author of Sonnet 43 continues on to describe the ways she loves him, and by how much so. “I love thee to a depth and breadth and height” expresses her desire for him by comparing it to space. Love can be related to space in that you feel empty and alone when you’re heart has been broken, contrary to where you’re in love you feel full and contempt. “I love thee purely” indicates the theme of idealistic love. She has a pure, strong love for him that nothing can tamper or with or disrupt. This is similar and also different relating to Macbeth, in the way that there is an underlying pure love between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but it is not announced or easily shown.
The poem begins to show more devotion and adoration when the line “I shall but love thee better after death” is used. This truly shows devotion to him in that she would prefer to perish than him. This could relate back to Macbeth in that Lady Macbeth allegedly committed suicide. This could of been devotion to him, trying to draw attention away from the acts committed.
The term “I love thee with the passion put to use, in my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith” can be construed in multiple ways. The line “passion put to use” stands out in that she’s declaring her love for him with as much passion as she has. “With my childhood’s faith” is another interesting line due to the general innocence, adoration and attachment associated with a child.
Reviewing the poem ‘Sonnet 43’ I have concluded that it’s type of love and style is contradictory to Macbeth. In that the expression and type of love, being she announces her love and has a perfect and idealistic manor, whereas Macbeth has a destructive, familial scene of love. I also notice the poem was wrote by a woman. This only provides a female view on love, which may be different to a male’s view.
The next poem I am to compare to Macbeth is ‘Havisham’. This is an interesting poem in the sense of it being a physical and destructive form of love. Havisham is set as a woman reflecting on her love and situation. The poem expresses hatred and love for the same person.
“Beloved sweetheart bastard” is a strong, important opening line. “Sweetheart bastard” is a juxtaposition, this has a strong impact on the reader by being sharp and contrasting. A juxtaposition is used to place two contrasting words together, especially used to highlight the contrast and emphasize the meaning of the word. This also relates back to Lady Macbeth’s actions and style. Lady Macbeth is compassionate whilst also being horrible towards Macbeth.
“Spinster. I stink and remember” is another powerful and informative line in the sense of being blunt and sharp, showing disgust and emotion in her writing. She calls herself a ‘spinster’ – an unmarried woman. “I stink and remember” shows her physical state. Implying she ‘stinks’ represents her life. That she’s been left broken and alone.
“Not a day since I haven’t wished him dead.”
The poem conveys well-structured meaning by use of sharp, meaningful words. “I stabbed at a wedding-cake” also proves her physical state. The fact she ‘stabbed’ at a wedding cake expresses her frustration and anguish from the day she wed. Also the by using the term ‘wedding-cake’ we can assume that she’s left distraught by something wedding related. The shear violence of stabbing a wedding-cake can be related back to Lady Macbeth in the factor of violence.
After describing her anguish of the situation she mellows and proceeds to describe the emotions and thoughts she has. “Give me a male corpse for a long slow honeymoon” is a strong term in the factor of physical wellbeing. She seems to relate herself to a ‘corpse’ and deems herself unworthy of a living human. With the wedding cake and speak of a ‘honeymoon’ you get the impression that she was left at her wedding, and she’s not let her bridle status leave her and she cannot outlive the day.
“I don’t think it’s only the heart that b-b-b-breaks” supports the rest of the poem by stating not only her heart is broken, but she’s been left emotionally and physically destroyed. This has a strong link to Lady Macbeth in that they both have experienced destructive love. The acts Lady Macbeth performed physically destroyed not only her relationship, but also her wellbeing. This relates to how Macbeth reacts to Lady Macbeths death. In that he doesn’t show emotion, nor would Lady Havisham’s fled husband show emotion. “b-b-b-breaks” supports the argument of being physically broken. By a stammer being used, it creates the illusion of a distraught, shattered, old woman who will not leave her past.
My thoughts of Havisham is that it’s a destructive, physical kind of love. Both Havisham and Sonnet 43 do not directly relate to Macbeth. They appear to be the two extremes of love, whereas Macbeth sits in the middle of these extremes.
The third poem I will compare to Macbeth is titled “A Woman to Her Lover”. This poem relates most to Macbeth in that it does not reach the extremities of the others. Whereas it sits in the middle and expresses realistic and idealistic love. A Woman to Her Lover explores the way women were treated in the time of being wrote. It expresses what women where expected and deemed to do. The final verse of this poem shows idealistic love, and what she desires to redeem.
“I am no doll to dress and sit for feeble worship” shows the common expectance of women in the 18th century. “No doll to dress” shows that she won’t be used as a sexual object, she won’t be dressed and used. This was a common expectance of woman during this age. “Feeble worship” is an interesting line in that she will not allow herself to be used as a status, an object nor a benefit.
“I refuse you” this would never be heard of coming from a woman in the century. Due to women being unaccepted and had less authority than men forced upon them. The fact she refuses him is unexpected. This strongly relates to Macbeth in that Lady Macbeth has a back-bone, she stands up for herself. Although due to the periods of these women, they’re both strong and fight for themselves.
“But lover, if you ask me that I shall be your comrade, friend and mate ”here she changes her tone and starts to speak of her idealistic love, true love. She refers to him as her ‘lover’ implying she still does love and adore him. Just would just like him to be a ‘comrade, friend and mate’ to be a more realistic to the modern day 21st century meaning of love. For a male to actually adore a female and treat her as a friend and lover. This is to some extent similar to Macbeth in saying that she wants equality in the relationship, but, the author of the poem asks for equality whereas Lady Macbeth manipulates and forcefully obtains this equality.
After declaring what she wants in the relationship she devotes herself to him. “Then O husband, I am yours forever” . This is what was expected from marriage in the 18th century. But with no interest or passion in the relationship this was hard to maintain.
“Until we reach the very heart of god” in the 18th century, it was seen as common to be of a religion. Religion was taken seriously, so devoting yourself to your lover ‘until [you] reach the heart of god’ was seen as a serious declaration. This does not relate to Macbeth in that Lady Macbeth never devoted herself, nor did she make promises.
Looking back on A Woman To her Lover, I can see as this one to relate to Macbeth the most. It seems to explore a similar kind of love, not the limits of the love-spectrum. You can also gather a slither of male perception from this poem, it’s not obvious but there is more to base your assumption on.
The themes of love in these poems and play differ but also have a strong link. There is a true love and devotion underlining all of these. Each individual expresses this in different ways. But the way these themes are shown in Macbeth is by using soliloquies and monologues. This requires you to infer and think about their love, it’s not clearly stated unlike the poems. The most reliable source to judge love on is either ‘A Woman to Her Lover’ or ‘Macbeth’. It depends on how well you can deduce emotions and actions. ‘Macbeth’ is more reliable in gaining a view on underlying love, and true love. But it’s hard to see and notice these emotions, you also gain a view of love from both perspectives. ‘A Woman to Her Lover’ is more reliable to gain a view of idealistic and true love, as it is more stated, But only depicted from a single perspective.
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