Question

Which upheaval of nature does Shakespeare use to symbolize and reflect the topsy-turvy turbulence of ambitious murder?

Answer 1

Shakespeare symbolizes the turbulence of ambitious murder in 'Macbeth' through the upheaval of nature, with unnatural events like violent weather and animals behaving unusually, reflecting the chaos caused by Macbeth's actions.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the upheaval of nature to symbolize and reflect the topsy-turvy turbulence of ambitious murder. Patterns of unnatural events unfold as Macbeth's ambition drives him to regicide and its aftermath. Shakespeare illustrates this discord with dark omens, violent weather, and unnatural behaviors of animals heralding the descent into chaos caused by the protagonist's actions. For instance, after the murder of King Duncan, characters report that the horses ate each other, an event that is completely against nature. The armed head in the witch’s prophecy and the sleepwalking of Lady Macbeth also depict the inner turmoil and the unnatural state of affairs resulting from their foul deeds. These instances underscore the gravity of Macbeth's treachery and signal a world out of balance due to his overreaching ambition.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

During medieval times, it was believed that the well-being of a country was related to the goodness and justice of its king. If the King was good and just, then the nation will have good harvests and good weather. If there was political order, then there would be natural order.

For example in Macbeth, shakespeare shows this connection between the political and natural world: when Macbeth disrupts the social and political order by the 'ambitious murdering' of Duncan and bringing injustice to the throne, nature goes off the rails. Incredible storms rage, the earth tremors, animals go insane and eat each other. The unnatural events of the physical world emphasize the horror of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's ambition.