What is Gothic about Act I in Macbeth?

It can be argued that in Act I of Macbeth there is lots of language to suggest that it is a Gothic play. For example the witch’s prophecy introducing Macbeth as the eponymous character, is Gothic because of the rhythmic structure that Shakespeare uses “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. This rhythmic and alliterative chanting used by the witches, suggests to the audience that they are casting a spell on Macbeth. This can be seen as Gothic because the audience is aware of the unknown elements of the prophecy, striking a fear from within.

Another element that is Gothic within Macbeth is at the beginning of the second scene, where the Captain glorifies Macbeth’s war status. The idea that Macbeth ‘smoked with bloody execution’ implies that he is a fierce warrior because he is covered in the blood of another man, therefore the audience is able to deduce that Macbeth had a reason to perform the ‘execution’as it seems deserved. If Macbeth ‘carvèd out his passage’, it suggests that he easily attacked the enemy, showing his strong capability and professionalism in war. However we cannot assume that he did because the Captain is an unreliable informant. He is bleeding profoundly therefore it is possible that his memory and general ability is distorted. When on stage, this scene can be viewed as Gothic because of the huge amount of red blood covering the stage. The colour red is associated with warning, meaning that this flash of bright scarlet is a form of conscious prolepsis in the play.

Lady Macbeth is a Gothic character in the play because she is able to twist and manipulate the idea of innocence into something grotesque. Particularly in scene five, when she demands that Macbeth should “look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t”. This suggests that she is the dominant personality within the relationship because she is ordering Macbeth to be more masculine. The subverting of the gender roles in the play, allows Shakespeare to create a scene where the woman shocks the audience. Lady Macbeth frequently shocks the audience, for example by stating that she wants to “dashed the brains out” of a young child or baby. The darkness of this scene surprises the audience because a woman is traditionally encouraged to be nurturing and loving towards any child, as it is intertwined with their human nature. Nevertheless Lady Macbeth seems to destroy the image of a loving and caring wife by showing her hatred of the king.

A Marxist Analysis of Susan Hill's 'Strange Meetings'

The novel 'Strange Meetings' focuses on the relationships and ranks of two Officers during World War One - John Hilliard and David Barton. It can be argued form a Marxist point of view that the characters in the novel exploit their co-workers and their subordinate colleagues - in particular John Hilliard. He allows himself to ride on horseback towards the front line when "he had passed Barton and then glanced back over his shoulder..." which implies that he deems himself of a higher status physically and professionally in comparison to the other men. This theory also applies when Hilliard cannot comfort Harris when he is down in the Cellar; he himself states “I’ll go back. Call me if you want help”, this proposes to the reader the Hilliard does not feel at ease with his own infantry, and that he simply cannot connect on an emotional level with the other men. It can also be said that because of his lack of empathy, the men fear him, as it appears that he is somewhat calm about the war. This fits the description of a Marxist leader because Hilliard is a cool, collected and efficient leader; therefore it is possible to suggest that the characters and the readers of the novel are aware that he is unusually disengaged with his surroundings.