King Duncan Eulogy Essay

Say not in grief; â€Å"he is no more†, but live in thankfulness that he was. Kings men and friends, today, with heavy hearts we bid adieu to a remarkable man. As we stand here today to reminisce in our fond memories of our past king, though he only held the throne for a brief time. He has changed the lives of many. Today we gather to embrace his greatness, Macbeth will be dearly missed. Some may think Macbeth was a traitor, but we must not forget the greatness that shone within him his heroic acts; a brave soldier, a strong thane, and a loving husband. In battle, Macbeth, defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonwald, and one from Norway. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful man, to embrace his battlefield valor, a brave and capable warrior, defending his As thane Husband What is done is done, What’s done cannot be undone. The death of our past king Macbeth is a great loss indeed, however A death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come. What is past is past, now we embrace the future and acknowledge the greatness of our past king. Restate the focus about your thesis Summerise points made Reword into simple messages Finish with a thiughful final sentence about the characters contribution to life and how those who are left behind are all the more richer for having knowin him. Macbeth: -he always stood by Scotland against traitors (malcolm, Macduff etc†¦) – valiant and heroic in battle -courageous -confident -loved lady macbeth, despite her being a little delusional -deserved the throne – no proof he murdered duncan the teacher listed various techniques we can use in our writing such as: -witty sayings -memories -stories -prayers -descriptive passage about macbeth -tone- positive at times, sad at others -justify/explain the controversial parts of their life (THE MOST IMPORTANT) As you can see, it can be biased You must consider one thing when reading this eulogy – you do not insult the dead! I couldn’t come out and tell the truth about Macbeth, and neither could I openly pass blame (â€Å"Yeah, Macbeth was a prick, but the witches made him do it!†). So basically, I had to write this positively, even though Macbeth was a despicable man, and I couldn’t tell any outright lies. The art is in twisting the truth, silencing events, or subtly making implications. That said, enjoy the eulogy. Bear in mind I am delivering it as the Thane of Ross. Today, I stand before a nation in mourning, grieving the passing of its King, Macbeth. He shall surely be remembered in history as a noble and courageous soldier and leader who fought with a fierce patriotism and belief in Scotland. Although his reign was not trouble-free or lengthy, Macbeth inspired a unique and individual pride in his country and made every decision with careful thought, holding firmly to his ideals and principles to the very end. Scotland has lost a distinctive and peerless leader and those of us who knew him personally are now without a friend whose character shall always be remembered. If there is one term worthy of Macbeth, it is ‘courage’. He was a shining  light on the battlefield, seizing opportunities in the bleakest of times and setting an admirable example to his troops, who knew him as â€Å"valour’s minion.† The monarch before him, Duncan, recognised Macbeth’s skills and honoured him as a â€Å"valiant cousin† and â€Å"worthy gentleman,† deserving respect and reward. Macbeth regularly led his nation into battle in Duncan’s stead, and it would be hard for any present to forget his daring and fearless attitude, particularly not on the day he defeated Sweno’s Norwegian invasion and Macdonwald, the rebellious Thane of Cawdor. I termed him Bellona’s bridegroom for his ferocious and splendid skill, and when Duncan was informed of Cawdor’s treachery, he saw Macbeth as deserving a higher status, proclaiming that what â€Å"[the former Thane of Cawdor] hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.† All will acknowledge he deserved such a status, for he fought with a stubborn determination that would never surrender, and no matter how many invaders flooded our shores, he never ceased to meet them with unforgiving steel. He was a hero to the Scottish nation and his example shall be followed by thousands of soldiers to come. Macbeth carried over his admirable battle qualities to his personal life, but brought none of the violence. Indeed, Duncan observed that his castle â€Å"hath a pleasant seat,† and Lady Macbeth remarked to me on several occasions that although her husband was seen by some as a warrior, he was nonetheless â€Å"full o’ the milk of human kindness.† I can attest to the truth in this statement as could many others seated here today, though it is with profound regret that we can all see evidence of how this kind nature was abused. Few are aware of the significant influence his now deceased wife had upon him, and in his devotion, he would seek her confidence and advice when contemplating options and making decisions. Though this may have led to fault, it also meant the Macbeths shared a strong bond based upon communication, a quality both of them treasured. Together, they were gracious hosts, renowned amongst other noble families for their much-anticipated banquets. If ever there was an enjoyable social event, Macbeth was sure to be the unparalleled host. His personality was much deeper than dinner parties, however. Macbeth was a man who thought about decisions seriously and deeply, rarely acting upon a thought he had not fully considered. On numerous occasions as a guest of Macbeth, I would encounter him pacing through his castle, lost in solemn contemplation, attempting to comprehend life and philosophical concepts. This led him to recognise that life is fragile and fleeting, labelling it â€Å"a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.† Despite this bleak outlook, he would always consider the consequences that lay before him, giving due respect to the Lord who had blessed him with his position. Although this virtue did not always lead him to the happiness he desired, Macbeth would always contemplate his actions, even in the most dire of circumstances. In his life, he faced many such situations, and once he made a decision, he stubbornly held to it. Despite criticism or hardship, he believed in himself and his information, and he sought to keep his dignity and strength regardless of what calamity he faced. At his death, he stood alone against an army of English who had moved Birnam Wood, choosing not to meekly surrender but instead to bravely fight to the end. With a call of â€Å"blow, wind! come, wrack! At least we’ll die with harness on our back,† he took up arms and fought as boldly as he ever had. He proclaimed that â€Å"bear-like †¦ [he would] fight the course,† and as was his manner, he made his word true, dying as a soldier and gallant fighter. One thing is certain, and it is that Macbeth will never be forgotten by any assembled here or by the Scottish nation as a whole. His courageous deeds as a hero of the nation’s military shone with brilliance and glory, never to dull with the passage of time, and none could honestly say that his time as national monarch was a bland or typical reign. Although famed for his skills as both a warrior and a host, his personality ran much deeper; his deep thought and loyal devotion to his wife did not always result in prosperity or universal delight, but he nevertheless made much philosophical contemplation and was capable of recognising his own failings. God gave Scotland a king unlike any other, of a standard never to be seen again, and may he rest eternally in a peace he forsook in his earthly life. While we mourn Macbeth’s passing, we should take due time to consider his life and the actions and characteristics that typified it. Everyone, from fellow nobles to peasants ekin g a living from distant land, could surely learn  valuable lessons Dear loyal subjects I would like to†¨thank you for coming out and gathering here to witness the burial of our latest†¨King. King Macbeth started as a strong, valiant and brave soldier; he was always†¨the best defender of our great Scotland. If you do recall he was named Thane of†¨Cawdor, after that traitor was taken out of power and executed. I hope that†¨somewhere deep in our hearts we can remember that man, and not the man we are†¨burying today. For Macbeths greed seemed to have gotten the best of him, for he†¨killed the honorable and noble King Duncan, his own cousin, just to have the†¨power of being king. This one simple act of wickedness set Macbeth on a†¨bloody-thirsty rampage, where he never stopped killing to keep his power, which†¨ultimately led to his down fall. Once†¨Macbeth was given the title of King of Scotland, Scotland started to fall apart†¨from the seams. In order to keep his power Macbeth killed his friend Banquo, in†¨fear that his sons would become king and steal his throne. As word got out that†¨Macduff was coming to me, to try and reclaim Scotland from Macbeth’s bloody†¨grasp, Macbeth’s murder spree continued. Macbeth then had Macduff’s wife and†¨entire family murdered; the poor souls never had a chance. Macbeth is a simple†¨example of what happens when the leader is corrupt that in turn the county†¨turns corrupt. For Macduff told me that under Macbeths rule the knell bell†¨never stopped ringing in Scotland. Macduff also told me that unnatural events†¨were happening in Scotland and that if we didn’t do something the entire†¨country would fall to pieces. So with the help of our ally England, I led†¨10,000 soldiers to take back Scotland. The honor for finally finishing Macbeth†¨goes to Macduff. Although honor must be given to the tyrant, for even in the†¨face of death he never stopped fighting. Even though we bury this evil king,†¨let us celebrate a new life for our home Scotland. -King Malcom Macbeth V: The Eulogy . What can I say about Macbeth? He was my distant relative, the Thane of Cawdor, and, once, King of Scotland. Yet, not a great King but I’ll give him that accomplishment. My father Duncan was a thousand times the man that agnostic fiend ever was, without even breaking a sweat! But, we’re not here to mourn the loss of my father; we’re here to say some final words about  Macfilth-† (cough) â€Å"-Macbeth. Before he completely lost his mind and began acting on sporadic impulses, he actually wasn’t that bad a person, if you can believe that. I do remember one particular evening though, when he took Duncan and me to go see the cargo ships at the docks. He convinced the captain to let us go on it and we pretended to be pirates, with wooden swords and everything! I started walking on a plank to the side of the boat with one foot in front of the other, you know, as children do. But, then Duncan came up behind me and scared me. In shock, I dropped my sword and as I jumped back, I slipped on it. My tiny legs hit the side of the plank hard and I feel from the tall ship face first into the water. I went in pretty deep and I tried to swim back up, but my legs wouldn’t give. They were throbbing from the hard hit I endured before falling and with every attempt to swim back up, I could feel myself being dragged deeper into the water. To top it off, I had gulped some water in my mouth and I was running out of air. My eyes began to close and the last image I remember before becoming unconscious was Macbeth swimming down to save me.† â€Å"When I learned what he’d done to my father, I refused to believe it. ’This couldn’t have been the same Macbeth that had been with me and my brother that day, could it?’ That’s why I left for England, to be surrounded by the sea, to reminisce about days past; it could have even been to disprove the ‘crooked Macbeth’ theory. But, when I fetched a ride on one of the war ships, I had an epiphany. Banquo, may he rest in peace, had spoken to me about his encounter with the witches before I left, and he told me that ever since the encounter with said witches Macbeth hadn’t been the same. He said he wasn’t even sure if this being was his old friend and that I should watch my back. I hadn’t thought of Banquo’s speech much until that day on the English war ship and as I watched the ocean’s harsh waves in the distance and the storm clouds approaching, something clicked in my head. The Macbeth that died yesterday really wasn’t the Macbeth from even a couple of months ago. This was a different Macbeth, one that had been effected by sources beyond his control, much like how the storm clouds affected the waves, Macbeth was affected by the witches; he was a different ocean. Now, I’m not saying we should take pity on this creature, I just think that we should remember him as how he was and not how he came to be. That’s why I proposed to speak this Eulogy before you, so that Scotland may be lead into a more humane and peaceful  era for years to come. Malcolm and Donalbain sons of king duncan Say not in grief; â€Å"he is no more†, but live in thankfulness that he was. Today, I stand before a nation in mourning, grieving the passing of its King, Macbeth. He shall surely be remembered in history as a noble and courageous soldier and leader who fought with a fierce patriotism and belief in Scotland. Although his reign was not trouble-free or lengthy, Macbeth inspired a unique and individual pride in his country. Scotland has lost a distinctive and peerless leader and those of us who knew him personally are now without a friend whose character shall always be remembered. What can I say about Macbeth? He was my distant relative, the Thane of Cawdor, and, once, King of Scotland. Yet, not a great King but I’ll give him that accomplishment. We’re here to say some final words about Macbeth. Before he completely lost his mind and began acting on sporadic impulses, he actually wasn’t that bad a person, if you can believe that. I do remember one wonderful evening though, when he took Malcolm and me to go see the cargo ships at the docks. He convinced the captain to let us go on it and we pretended to be pirates, with wooden swords and everything! I started walking on a plank to the side of the boat with one foot in front of the other, you know, as children do. But, then Malcolm came up behind me and scared me. In shock, I dropped my sword and as I jumped back, I slipped on it. My tiny legs hit the side of the plank hard and I feel from the tall ship face first into the water. I went in pretty deep and I tried to swim back up, but my legs wouldn’t give. They were throbbing from the hard hit I endured before falling and with every attempt to swim back up, I could feel myself being dragged deeper into the water. To top it off, I had gulped some water in my mouth and I was running out of air. My eyes began to close and the last image I remember before becoming unconscious was Macbeth swimming down to save me.† â€Å"When I learned what he’d done to my father, I refused to believe it.’This couldn’t have been the same Macbeth that had been with me and my brother  that day, could it?’ That’s why I left for England, to be surrounded by the sea, to reminisce about days past; it could have even been to disprove the ‘crooked Macbeth’ theory. But, when I fetched a ride on one of the war ships, I had an epiphany. Banquo, may he rest in peace, had spoken to me about his encounter with the witches before I left, and he told me that ever since the encounter with said witches Macbeth hadn’t been the same. He said he wasn’t even sure if this being was his old friend and that I should watch my back. I hadn’t thought of Banquo’s speech much until that day on the English war ship and as I watched the ocean’s harsh waves in the distance and the storm clouds approaching, something clicked in my head. The Macbeth that died yesterday really wasn’t the Macbeth from even a couple of months ago. This was a different Macbeth, one that had been effected by sources beyond his control, much like how the storm clouds affected the waves, Macbeth was affected by the witches; he was a different ocean. Now, I’m not saying we should take pity on this creature, I just think that we should remember him as how he was and not how he came to be. That’s why I proposed to speak this Eulogy before you, so that Scotland may be lead into a more humane and peaceful era for years to come. MACBETH AS A TRAGIC HERO Tragic heroes are within everyone, but cannot be fully exposed or understood without the essential tragic qualities. One must be a potentially noble character who endures heroic qualities and has respect and admiration from the society. Consequently, they must be essentially great. Also within the character must be a flaw or weakness that leads to a fall. Lastly, one is required to possess an element of suffering and redemption. Remorse and regret is a necessity for ones wrong doings or deeds. One’s pays for their wrong doings because of failure to find happiness and regrets for actions taken. Therefore they die heroically. In the play â€Å"Macbeth† this quality of a tragic hero is portrayed though the character Macbeth. The quality of  a tragic hero in Macbeth is portrayed first by his position in society and his establishment of greatness. Macbeth is appreciated as a noble character and endures a high rank in the country of Scotland. He aided King Duncan in several victorious battles and his ranking was increased as a result of this. He was crowned Thane of Cawdor in addition to the Thane of Glamis. Macbeth’s position was also seen as high to the Scotish citizen’s because of his relation to the king. However, Macbeth’s bravery on the battlefield was great. â€Å"Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, and fixed his head upon the battlements.† (Act 1, Sc.2) And for his victory he receives lavish praise in reports from the Captian and Ross, a Scotish Nobleman. â€Å" †¦As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. I must report they were as cannons overcharged with double cracks.† (Act 1, Sc. 2) Macbeth is shown as extravagant on terms of what they say. He was also complemented several times by the Thane of Fife, Macduff. Furthermore, he was labeled several strong and brave animals on the battlefield, throughout the play. These many assessments and evaluations contribute greatly towards Macbeth’s appearance as a hero. Macbeth’s relationship with his wife, Lady Macbeth, also confirms his innate goodness and suggests well for him. Lady Macbeth highly respects and admires her husband as the Thane of Cawdor and refers to him as â€Å" †¦my dearest partner of greatness.† (Act 1, Sc.5) She constantly demands that she understands Macbeth more than any other. This results in the others being expected to believe her. However, she incessantly declares that he is much too kind, â€Å"Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Act 1, Sc 5) Lady Macbeth acknowledges that he has ambition but maintains that he lacks the evil that should attend it. Furthermore, Macbeth yearn for the crown but would as though he is riding high on the crest of the wave and endures the potential to furthur but his flaw of incessant kindness prevents his yearning. It is those strong brave qualities that rise him high in not play foully for it. It is society and Lady Macbeth wishes he would apply them appropriatly. Their stable relationship is yet another feature that brings forth Macbeth’s potential. Despite Macbeth’s great potential he endures an overriding flaw that he constantly gives in to. This overbearing flaw is his excessive ambition. He wishes to only get the crown, but demands to do nothing to rightfully achieve it. He refuses to kill his beloved king Duncan. For he belives he  too kind and nice a man to deserve such a punishment. Macbeth initially fights agianst his dark and evil impulses, but he evenutally surcomes to them. It was his wife, Lady Macbeth, who convinced Macbeth to obey his evil urges by her clever manipulation. However, Macbeth’s fall begins when he starts to doubt his untold victory of the crown. â€Å"What if we should fail?† (Act 1, Sc. 7) It is the unpleasant deed of Duncan’s murder that stirs his mind. After his job of comitting the deed he shows immediate regret and remorse for what he had done. Nevertheless, his fall is far from complete, it continues. His ambition â€Å"takes reason prinsoner†. Macbeth’s fall continues gradually when he soon grasps the idea that he had not earned his yearning of the crown. â€Å"We have scorched the snake, not killed it.† (Act 3, Sc.2) There was still a great problem. It was Banquo who would reieve hier to the throne before Macbeth. It was essiential, according to the witches, that he immediately kill Banquo and his descendants. At that demand, the deed was done. However, his attempted murder of Fleance, Banquo’s son, was not achieved. Consequently, a transition begins in Macbeth. He is acknowledged as a â€Å"hell-hound†, â€Å"butches†, â€Å"tyrant† and a hell kite† (Act 3). These were great turning point for Macbeth. For it is now his evil side that he obeys. He simply resolves his remorse by acting on his initial impulses. â€Å"The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand.† (Act 4, Sc.1) Therefore, Macbeth’s habits became so terrible that he finally reaches his lowest ebb, the murders of the Macduffs. For he had no reason for their murders, it was simply an impulse that he immediately acted upon. He then caused Scotland suffering, famine, death and disease. This was so because of his absence of the king becoming graces. Macbeth had now lost his â€Å"good† reputation. His downfall was now complete. Macbeth, however, is shown throughout the play with an element of suffering and redemption. The murders that he comitted deeply cause this remorse and guilt. In result, Macbeth is found unable to sleep, pray or even eat because of the murder of his beloved king Duncan. â€Å"Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!Macbeth does murder sleep†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Act 2, Sc.2) Macbeth is also seen a sense of remorse when he was found seeing the ghost of Banquo. He repetedly demanded that he did not murder him. This is a deep symptom of redemption. However, this sorrow does not compare to the large extent he receives of it towards the end of the play. He sees the future as pointless and  unthrilling. He decides that his life is not worth living. â€Å"I have lived long enough.† (Act 5, Sc.4) He is in complete despair. He soon realizes that there is nothing fo rim but curses, mouth-honor and breath. However, there is an element of self-knowledge. He recognized that he received his yearning, the crown, but it did not bring him happiness. His life becomes completely meaningless when his wife, Lady Macbeth, dies. Macbeth had lost everything and everyone who was important to him. He is alone and alienated. Despite his lonliness and shame, he still has a conscience. Enduring the strength he has, he does not quit. He continuously falls back on the hopefull predictions of the witches. â€Å"Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.† (Act 4, Sc.1) He deeply relies on this apparition, which makes him feel invinsible, until he soon finds out that Macduff was not technically born of woman. â€Å"†¦Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.† (Act 5, Sc.6) For now Macbeth could be easily defeated. From this he is paying for his sins and regreat. Even when the last prop of life is removed, he fights. He decides he will not play the suicidal Roman fool. So, he does fight bravely and heroically. His wounds were to the front ,theredore he was not killed running away from death. He was killed fighting. Tragedy fell only upon Macbeth because of his inner most yearnings, to be king. However, he would not have been considered a tragic hero without his admiration, flaw and redemption. These are all parts of the long downfall in which he endured. His life became tragic just to be king. Even when he received his wish he was not happy. He had too much guilt and regret to continue. His life was no longer worth living. So, he fought to the bitter end and died bravery. Say not in grief; â€Å"he is no more†, but live in thankfulness that he was. Today, I stand before a nation in mourning, grieving the passing of its King, Macbeth. He shall surely be remembered in history as a noble and courageous soldier and leader who fought with a fierce patriotism and belief in Scotland. Although his reign was not trouble-free or lengthy, Macbeth, a tragic hero who inspired a unique and individual pride in his country. Scotland has lost a distinctive and peerless leader and those of us who knew him personally are now without a friend whose character shall always be remembered. What can I say about Macbeth? If there is one term commendable of Macbeth, it is ‘bravery’. No greater man have I had the privilege to charge into battle with, side by side, his courage not only fueled mine, but the rest of the army with it. Macbeth was always courageous, his bravery in battle was evident to all, He was a shining light , seizing opportunities in the bleakest of times and setting an worthy example to his troops, who knew him as â€Å"valour’s minion.† it would be hard for many to forget his daring and fearless attitude, particularly not on the day he defeated Sweno’s Norwegian invasion and Macdonwald, the rebellious Thane of Cawdor. I termed him Bellona’s bridegroom for his ferocious and splendid skill, and when Duncan was informed of Cawdor’s treachery, he saw Macbeth as deserving a higher status, proclaiming that what â€Å"[the former Thane of Cawdor] hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.† All will acknowledge he deserved such a status, for he fought with a stubborn determination that would never surrender, and no matter how many invaders flooded our shores, he never ceased to meet them with unforgiving steel. Macbeth represented the essence in strong and courageous leadership. This is what his lasting legacy to those who fought along with him would feel and perhaps, he had his flaws but what human does not? No matter what, Macbeth always had the will to achieve greatness, and that he did. Macbeth carried over his admirable battle qualities to his personal life, but brought none of the violence. Indeed, Duncan observed that his castle â€Å"hath a pleasant seat,† and Lady Macbeth remarked to me on several occasions that although her husband was seen by some as a warrior, he was nonetheless â€Å"full o’ the milk of human kindness.† I can attest to the truth in this statement as could many others seated here today, though it is with profound regret that we can all see evidence of how this kind nature was abused. Few are aware of the significant influence his now deceased wife had upon him, and in his devotion, he would seek her confidence and advice when contemplating options and making decisions. Though this may have led to fault, it also meant the Macbeths shared a strong bond, a quality both of them treasured. Together, they were gracious hosts, renowned amongst other noble families  for their much-anticipated banquets. If ever there was an enjoyable social event, Macbeth was sure to be the unparalleled host. Even in the last moments of his life, Macbeths courage and spirit remained as valiant as ever, in the face of death he declared, â€Å" Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Macbeth was indeed a fearsome soldier and a deer friend, however evidence shows that his good will and trust was unfortunately taken advantage of. It is said, that had been effected by sources beyond his control, clouding him from God’s watch and leading him to his own tragic demise. Indeed his fascination with the supernatural caused much distress. There were whispers of witchcraft and the supernatural, and I would not have believed it had I not witnessed with my own two eyes the affects these forces had on Macbeth. At one of his renowned banquets. What is done is done, what’s done cannot be undone. The Macbeth that died yesterday really wasn’t the Macbeth from even a couple of months ago. This was a different Macbeth, one that had been effected by sources beyond his control, Macbeth was disturbed by the witches. We shall remember him as how he was and not how he came to be.. Macbeth is a great loss indeed, however a death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come.