... suspicious of his killer. He is to look sweet and inviting, yet poisonous and deadly when the victim has his back turned. As well, Lady Macbeth states, "It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman" (2.2 5). In the play, the owl symbolizes the bellman (A bellman was the person who rang the town bell the evening before an execution was to take place ... man's act,/ Threatens his bloody stage" (2.4 7-8). The bloody stage is being compared to the earth and reality. In essence, their lives are a play and they are merely the characters (haha paradox). Along with that, after Macbeth hires ...

• Word Count: 1305
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... temptation or to hold firm ground and escape this feeling. Shakespeare explores the temptations of many characters and the choices they make through the plays of Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth, and Othello. In the tragedies, the  challenge or obstacle is the pride of a tragic hero who suffers some downfall.   The challenge of the hero is how to respond to the downfall.   Will ... about the Empire. Antony's infatuation is also vividly suggested by these lines: His captain's heart, Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, And is bec...

• Word Count: 1350
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School