A Study On Macbeth's Ruin Based On Semiotic Square

Macbeth changes from a national hero to an evil usurper and conspirator through the whole process of the play.It invites many speculations about the ultimate causes of his degeneration.This thesis,applying semiotic square to highlight the underlying clues and relationships,exploring the internal and external forces of Macbeth's ruin.Firstly,it analyses the Prophecy as the immediate cause of Macbeth's ruin.Prophecy and reality represent a relationship of contrariety,provoked Macbeth's discontent and inner desire.Meanwile,Scotland's hereditary system constantly reminds Macbeth's short distance between prophecy and reality,making him wander along in the evil road farther and farther and meet with his ruin.Then,it argued prophecy served as the crucial effect of Macbeth's ruin.Semiotic Square as the effect tool analyzed the veridiction of the prophecy,indicate prophecy is an untrustworthy guidance which beguiles Macbeth,making him a statuesque embodiments of the delusive dreams lead to ruin.Lastly,the thesis reveals that Macbeth's defects in his character make up its core to Macbeth's failure.Macbeth's aloofness failed him in constructing a connection of peers around him,his unmanhood failed him in maintaining a patriarchal household,his brutalness failed him in governing a love-based sovereignty.His character defects make him destined to live fairly troubled lives.By the tragedy's end,he can accept himself at last,because he has realized that as a man with flaws,every choice of him is absurd,or rather,that there is actually no so-called choice.Semiotic Square can be used as a logical expression of many opposition cases.This thesis applied the Semiotic Square to highlight the underlying contrariety of Macbeth,excavating his diversity and complexity which driven by outside seduction,inner desire and his personal defects.It aims to restore the stereotype of Macbeth as a tyrant and criminal,and offer a new perspective to see him as a tragic hero.Although the behaviours of Macbeth are full of the darkness and blood,he still elicits our sympathy as we knew the causes of his tragic depravation.