Theme of Social Hierarchy in William Shakespeares Henry...

Theme of Social Hierarchy in William Shakespeares Henry V, Twelfth Night and Macbeth Henry V, Twelfth Night, and Macbeth cover the whole field of Shakespearean genres, but it is amazing how Shakespeare displays a theme and carries it through in any kind of play he wants to. Historic, comic, and tragic plays are about as different as you can get, yet when we take a closer look we see many similarities among them, especially in the area of social hierarchy. In all three of these plays, Shakespeare uses a similar theme, which he conveys and proves through his characters. Twelfth Nights Malvolio, and Macbeths Macbeth, Henry Vs Henry all hold social status, and they spread the social scale, one a servant, one a nobleman, and one a†¦show more content†¦Malvolio is a servant, desiring and seeking to climb the social ladder by marrying his master, a wealthy woman in society. Malvolio is stepping far beyond his bounds as a servant, and he doesnt see that he is out of line. To marry up a class level was unheard of, but Malvolio doesnt even seem to think about thi s. He is set on winning Olivias love from the moment he thinks about the things he can get from it. He isnt really punished for his committal of a social taboo, but he is demeaned and taken back down to a servants level through the joke that Toby, Maria, and Feste play on him. Shakespeare doesnt say that marrying up is wrong, because the marriage of Maria and Toby is given a positive light. Shakespeare does make it very clear that it is not proper for a servant, or anyone for that matter, to attempt to climb the social lattice, especially through marriage. In Macbeth, Macbeth is a Thane, a much higher social status than a slave. This is a position of nobility, and Macbeth is content with it. His and Banquos meeting with the Weird Sisters and the subsequent fulfillment of part of the witches prophecies about Macbeth is what begins to discontent Macbeth. Macbeth says, If chance may have me King, why, chance may crown me (Macbeth I.iii.158), but it is shortly after this that Macbeth is easily drawn in by his wifes enticement with power andShow MoreRelatedThe Renaissance and It’s Affect on William Shakespeare’s Works2369 Words   |  10 PagesIt’s very easy to see William Shakespeare as an amazing literary genius who had a perspective on life that, to simply put it, no one else has ever had. However Shakespeare was the product of the English Renaissance. The English Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement spanning from the later 15th century until the early 17th century, it is associated with the Italian R enaissance which started in the 14th century. Like most of northern Europe, England did not get the full effect of the Renaissance