Macbeth Character Analysis Essay
Characterization Analysis Life can make the most sane person a celebrity in insanity land. In The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character experiences a major change in character and morals. The story takes place during the middle ages in Scotland and England in the year 1606. The most significant characters include Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Lady Macduff and Duncan just to name a few. The reader will see that each of these characters favor the kinds of people they see on a daily basis. In the beginning the reader will view Macbeth as a hero but towards the end they will see how much the world changes one's moral priorities.
First, Shakespeare clearly shows us how kind and good people can be even with the highest of status. When the reader first meets Macbeth, they meet a man that is decent and kindhearted. "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir. (Shakespeare 1.3.143–44)". Also Macbeth is shown as someone with the best intentions and plentiful morals. Problem being, his wife doesn't share those exact same qualities. Lady Macbeth...show more content...
Macbeth has become the exact person he despises. "O, yet i do repent me of my fury, That i did kill them(Shakespeare 2.3.106–07)". Macbeth became the nightmare he dreaded and has murdered those he once respected. Macbeth has managed to transition into a careless, dangerous and manipulating person. This is a complete turnaround from the confident, secure and reliable person he once was. Lady Macbeth has become a hysterical, insane and brutally honest woman. She has begun to hallucinate that she has blood on her hands and can not clean it off. She has made a shift transition from the confident, conniving and secretive woman she once was. She regrets her involvement in Macbeth's violent behavior almost more than he does. It is questionable which of the two have changed more throughout the story
Macbeth: A Very Complex Character Essay
Macbeth is a very complex character whom reflects man's thirst for power through the drastic changes of his personality; thus being one of the slightest reasons in which make this intriguing character, greatest of all Shakespearean's well–known works.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is notable as a brave soldier and is rewarded as being Thane of Glamis. The attributions of Macbeth at the beginning of the play may be wise, thoughtful, patient and noble.
Soon after he achieves the title Thane of Cawdor as predicted by the three witches; whom drive Macbeth's ambition to murder King Duncan– due to the fulfilment of the witches' first prophecy, Macbeth is foolish enough to commit to treason and murder King Duncan. The first change of...show more content...
This constitutes the play to be appointed into multiple directions; henceforth proving Macbeth's vitality in such a tragic storyline.
After obtaining kingship through the murder of King Duncan; we start to perceive Macbeth's behaviour to completely change; from a man full of moral awareness, to one whom goes against the morals and reality of life. Macbeth's behaviour has significantly changed or been altered from the beginning of the play right to the end. Initially, Macbeth attained a well–behaved and loyal demeanour, in which is indicative through the manner in which he honours King Duncan; "The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself." (I.iv)
Conversely, as the play begins to progress due to Macbeth's over ambition for power; we start to view how Macbeth chooses to segregate/isolate himself from his wife; in order to justify on his own behaviour in relation to the witches' prophecy. This specific moment in time is where Macbeth's behaviour starts to perilously change; this is established through the manner in which he seeks council from the witches rather than his subjects. Therefore his behaviour and actions have substantially been altered as he now does not approach circumstances in the just way, but rather clandestinely; "She would have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word..." (V.v) His isolation from his wife results in Macbeth's private ambitions to be made clear through his soliloquies.
As Macbeth's
Macbeth Character Analysis
Topic Selection: Examine which character (s) is /are responsible for Macbeth's ultimate demise.
Hook:
In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare. Macbeth is a tragic hero who destroys himself by his selfishness and overbearing ambition.
Introduction:
Despite Macbeth having an overbearing ambition. Macbeth was motivated and influenced by Lady Macbeth and the three witches to commit murders.
Protagonist and Antagonist:
In the play, the protagonist is the main character Macbeth; he is portrayed as a noble hero of Scotland and is courageous. The antagonist is played by the characters who had a conflict with the protagonist such as Banquo, Macduff, and the three witches.
Three Arguments:
The witches played a role in the downfall of Macbeth by providing him with a prophecy of becoming king. Lady Macbeth the soulmate and lover encouraged Macbeth to commit the murder of Duncan in order to achieve their grand ambition on becoming King and Queen.
Thesis:
In spite of Macbeth was influenced by outside sources, he was motivated by his ambition and has a desire to become King
Argument 1: Three Witches
The three witches was the main factor in Macbeth's downfall by prophesying how Macbeth will become the king of Scotland. The witches continued to lead Macbeth to his demise the stronger their relationship became. They betrayed and manipulated Macbeth by making him believe that he is an invincible human being.
Evidence:
"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!/All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!'' (Mac 1.3.51–53). The three witches are planting the idea of murdering Duncan into Macbeth's conscience
Analysis
Throughout the play, the three witches "weird sisters" have dark thoughts and have a senseless temptation to evil. They continue to provide Macbeth with believable prophecies to see the final outcome. They do not force Macbeth how to act, instead, they planted ideas of the what it is like if and what will happen if he would follow the prophecies given.
Argument 2: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is partial to blame for the downfall of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth manipulated Macbeth when questioned is manhood and bravery. Lady Macbeth ambition was as
Identity in Shakespeare's Macbeth Essay
Macbeth
"The play is about identity, not good and evil. Macbeth is a character developed far more than any other, and his destruction is truly tragic." Can you describe the play in these terms?
One of the main questions that comes up when thinking about Macbeth is do the characters occupy the play to tell a historical story, or does the drama exist as a prop to explore the physiological nuances of the character Macbeth. It could be argued that the character of Macbeth, his complex physiological states, his weakness of character, the part that people around him and his wife play in the development of character, and destiny are truly the central themes of the play.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is praised by many people and...show more content...
When the witches tell Macbeth his destiny, that he "...will be king here after" 1:3:49. Macbeth gets the idea of killing Duncan. Macbeth is not a clear thinker and knows that he would need the help of his wife to complete this crime. So he sends his wife a letter securing his fate.
When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth find out that Duncan will be staying with them that night they hastily start to plot Duncan's death. Macbeth's conscious tells him that it is immoral but his wife won't let him get out of it because he promised her. "Had I so sworn as you Have done to this." 1:7:59. Lady Macbeth is helping her husband to be a clear thinker because she knows that he wants this or he would not have sent her the letter. As much as anything I think Macbeth is only equivocating to distract himself from being nervous.
If the opportunity had not presented its self the pair would have had more time to think it over and decide against it but there was no time furthermore they wanted to get it over and done with.
After the murder Macbeth realises that he has made a mistake. He can not have children of his own so the throne will be handed back over to Banquos heirs, just as the witches had alleged. "Thou shalt get kings" 1:3:66. Macbeth looses composure and starts to fear what he has done. "I am afraid to thing what I have done," 1:3:51. Macbeth wanted to be king. "let not light see my black and deep desires" but now that he is
Macbeth: Character Analysis Of Macbeth Essay
Macbeth: Character Analysis of Macbeth
Macbeth was a true Shakespearean tragic hero. He had many noble qualities as well as several tragic flaws. He was a courageous, brave and good nobleman who was haunted by superstition, moral cowardice and an overwhelming ambition. Progressively through the play, his flaws started consuming his qualities until they are that can be seen of him.
Macbeth was a courageous and strong nobleman. He and Banquo were leaders of King Duncan's army. His personal powers and strength as a general won him the battle as described by the captain (I,2, "But all's too weak:/ For brave Macbeth
–– well he deserved that name –– / Disdaining fortune, with...show more content...
His morals sink so low that even his enemies said "Who then shall blame/ His pester'd senses to recoil and start,/ When all that is within him does condemn/ Itself for being there?"
Macbeth had great ambition and wished to stand well with the world. He had absolutely no feelings for others and he only cared about what others would think of him. The witches' prophecies only encouraged this ambition to be king.
The witches who symbolized Macbeth's evil ambitions put his thoughts into actual words. The idea of murder had already occurred to him (I,3, "great prediction/ Of noble having and of noble having and of royal hope,/ That he seems rapt withal," "My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical," and I,7,
"What beast wast then/ That made you break this enterprise to me?"). Macbeth himself acknowledged his "vaulting ambition" that would drive him to murder after Duncan evaded fate (I,3, "If chance will have me King, why,/ Chance may crown me") by announcing Malcolm as his Successor.
Macbeth's powerful imagination made him already victim to superstition.
His superstition was seen by his susceptibility to the witches' influence unlike
Banquo who still was not sure about their credibility. It was his superstition that made him so unquestioningly the promises of the apparitions and rest so easily assured. It was all his superstitions that made
Macbeth Character Analysis
Humankind lives then dies because of two things, wants and needs. We live by fulfilling natural needs and surviving with what we have, but some want more and go beyond what is needed turning a desire into something that is absolutely necessary. These people become obsessed with a concept that's pointless in the sum of their lives, they let wants control them which results in an untimely death. But this isn't a singular case, numerous men find themselves being lead into a deep and dark pit filled with evil intentions. Some are fortunate enough to find a way out but others aren't as lucky. Macbeth showcases this thought with Shakespeare's main character the Thane of Glamis.
Macbeth was once innocent and humble, he fought for a good cause and became a war hero and a nice man. He was told of a prophecy predicting that he would become the Thane of Cawdor, and soon after, King by three strange figures. At first he didn't think much of this encounter but the idea rampaged his mind. With a little convincing by Lady Macbeth and numerous visits by the witches he chose a long dark path that he'd never return from. As the idea takes hold of him he devises a plan to murder the existing King and take his throne, he will do anything to guarantee success. His wife pressures him to act but not be caught, "look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't" (1.6.75–78). Macbeth is caught in two crossing roads with a freight train running right at him, he can either chose the path of
Character Analysis of Macbeth Essay
"Macbeth" a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, portrays, how the main character Macbeth, transforms from a war hero, to a murdering villain. Macbeth starts out as the thane of Glamis and steadily rises to become King of Scotland. The higher Macbeth rose on his road of power the more corrupt and evil he became. The character change of Macbeth ignites the whole theme of the play.
Macbeth is shown as a vigorous war hero in the opening scene. "And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling showed like a rebel's whore. But all's too weak for brave Macbeth." (1.2 16.18) The captain expressing the braveness of great Macbeth in Scotland's battle with the invading Norway hordes. It didn't take long for the people of...show more content...
Macbeth decides that he wont murder the king. Lady Macbeth's determination to become queen influences Macbeth's decision.
"If it were done when tis done, then twere it be done quickly" (1.7 1–2) Macbeth is toying with the notion to murder King Duncan. Macbeth would not be satisfied until he ruled all Scotland! An idea turned into a priority, Macbeth wasn't thinking of killing the king he was sure of it. "Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand...."(2.1 42–43) Macbeth's vision turned out to be a false creation of the mind that led macbeth to believe that fate was telling him to kill King Duncan.
Near the end of the play Macbeths true evilness comes out. Macbeth paranoia leads him to believe that everyone is out to get him. " So is he mine, and in such bloody distance that every minute of his thrusts against my hear'st life" (3.1 128–130) Macbeth grows suspicious of Banquo. The witch's predictions of Banquo's kids becoming king engulfed all thoughts in Macbeth's head. "I'll make assurance double sure." (4.1 93) Macbeth is making sure Banquo and his son fleance are murdered. Macbeth felt the it was best to hire murders to handle fleance and Banquo. Macbeth is overcome with evil. "From this moment the very firstling of my heart shall be the firstling of my mind" (4.1 165–168) Macbeth's mind no
Macbeth Character
Shakespeare never fails to stun an audience with a complex yet entertaining character. His play of Macbeth is no exception. One might judge Macbeth to be the valiant hero of the play, to the audiences surprise and bewilderment, he is also the villain. To create such a character requires an unparalleled plot and great writing skill. Macbeth's character is expressed in a way that relates to the audience. His moral transformation from valiant to vile, his moral hesitation and his torturing conscience are all elements that condemn Macbeth but at the same time evoke the audience's sympathy.
Macbeth is merely mentioned by the witches at the start of the play. We first meet "Brave Macbeth" while at work as a thane protecting his king from...show more content...
Lady Macbeth uses reverse psychology by insulting her husband's manliness: When you durst do it, then you were a man". This flawless tactic works well on Macbeth and he is won over by her "undaunted mettle". "I am settled and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat". The verb "bend" shows the struggle in him to carry out the act, it goes against his nature. The decision for the murder is nevertheless Macbeth's. Although Lady Macbeth is the catalyst he must ultimately take full responsibility for his own actions.
The murder of Duncan may be depicted as the point of no return for the character of Macbeth. He is now frail and quite paranoid just after the murder, this contrasts with him being confident and brave on the battlefield; killing then seemed normal to him, but murder, he feels that he has condemned his soul. "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?". The amount of guilt that Macbeth feels is unbearable to any man, which shows that he has not completed the course of his moral deterioration. Macbeth has now become a tyrant that will suspect everyone, even those closest to him.
The crown has defiled Macbeth and he realizes that it only brings sadness and despair. Macbeth is even jealous of Duncan who is dead that he is resting in peace and him who is unable to even sleep is living in torment torn by guilt and paranoia. A new feature of the new Macbeth is also hypocrisy: "fail not our feast". Macbeth
Macbeth Is To Blame
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, malicious characters are portrayed as obviously evil and influential. Macbeth, however, is one character that is not represented in this way, in fact he is quite the opposite. The new king is seen as a victim of his foul wife's influences and the witches prophecies but is really only supported by them and these ideas, leading him to make decisions based on evil ambition and a wicked desire for power. Readers are pushed to believe that Macbeth deserves sympathy, but as all humans do, Macbeth has free will allowing him to make his own decisions which means that if he were a victim, he would only be this due to his depraved actions.
For the most part, rise to power was always a secret desire Macbeth had. Once named...show more content...
Great evil is demonstrated in Macbeth's character due to his vicious ambition and ruthless attitude. Macbeth was able to murder such a generous person, especially someone that gave you many blessings so it can be inferred that he is capable of much worse. In fact, he later exclaims "That I did kill them" claiming to have killed the men who "killed" Duncan (2.3.104). Macbeth blames two innocent men for his immoral actions, yet it is once again seen as a decision made by his wife or as a way to protect her. The fact that Macbeth easily shrugs off his actions and pretends he has no knowledge of the event depicts an evil side of him that is coming out into the light.
Murdering Duncan was the only true action enticed by Lady Macbeth. Macbeth's desire to get rid of Banquo demonstrates that he truly is malevolent. Macbeth demands that "his death were perfect" when hiring murderers to remove Banquo and his son from his path (3.1.108). The king's determination to be the only one in power has caused him to lose the ethical characteristic that is seen in the first act. Banquo was the only person to ever secretly doubt and aside from this, the prophecies created panic for Macbeth. While speaking to the hired murderers, Macbeth agrees with them by saying "So is he mine" claiming that Banquo is an enemy to all, including the king (3.2.116). The slander spoken by Macbeth ruins the image of loyalty and
How Does Macbeths Character Change? Essay
How Does Macbeth's Character Change over the Play?
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth's character starts off as a loyal and brave soldier, who is admired by many people. Throughout the play, however, it is evident that his character and the personality of his character change a lot. There are many aspects that changed his character. What the witches said to him I think changed him the most. Before the witches spoke to him, he didn't think of what it would be like to be king, or any of the other things, but because the first prediction came true, it led him to believe all the others would as well. The witches are what started him off thinking of how powerful he could become. Obviously his wife talked him into it, but without what the...show more content...
This is what makes him think of murder. "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair" is telling is that Macbeth is wishing that no one had put the horrid image of killing Duncan into his head, and he wants to forget it, but he can't because he knows that even though it would be wrong, he would have a lot of power. It shows that he is ambitious, and knows what he wants. This is where he starts to get bloodthirsty thoughts, and it is shown more as the play goes on. Macbeth sows how the predictions are playing on his mind when he writes a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth's letter to his wife has all the information about the witches, and his thoughts about killing Duncan. This shows how much he loves her, and trusts her, because he has not been able to tell anyone else about this. In his letter, he calls Lady Macbeth "my dearest partner of greatness" which shows that he thinks very fondly of her. "All who hailed me thane of Cawdor, by which titles these weird sisters saluted me" tell us that Macbeth is suspicious of the witches, and he wants to know more about what they have told him, because he thinks that they are true. Macbeth goes on to say "Might be the be all – and the end – all here" which means that he wants all of this to end, and he doesn't really want to do any harm, even though he knows he probably will. At this stage Macbeth has not become a heartless murderer, and this letter shows that he clearly still has a
Essay on Lady Macbeth Character Analysis
Lady Macbeth: Unsexed and Uncovered
Lady Macbeth progresses throughout the play from a seemingly savage and heartless creature to a very delicate and fragile woman. In the beginning of the play, she is very ambitious and hungry for power. She pushes Macbeth to kill Duncan in order to fulfill the witches' prophecy. In Act I, Scene 6, she asks the gods to make her emotionally strong like a man in order to help her husband go through with the murder plot. She says, "Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top–full Of direst cruelty!" Also, she does everything in her power to convince Macbeth that he would be wrong not to kill Duncan. In Act I,...show more content...
The first sign of weakness comes in Act II, Scene 2 when she says that she could not kill Duncan because he resembled her father. She explains, "Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done't." The other example of some weakness in Lady Macbeth's character is in Act III, Scene 2 when she tries to comfort Macbeth by telling him not to worry about what he has done to Duncan and is about to do to Banquo. She tells him, "How now, my lord! Why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companions making, Using those thoughts which should indeed have died With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard: what's done is done. Perhaps the most ironic change in Lady Macbeth's character comes at the very end of the play. Throughout most of the first four acts of the play, she has been the strongest character, always leading Macbeth and pushing him to carry out their plot, but in Act V we begin to see that she wasn't as strong as she had appeared. First, in Act V, Scene 1 we see a troubled Lady Macbeth who is sleepwalking. She seems to be very troubled by blood, presumably that of King Duncan. Some of the comments she makes are, "Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?", "What, will these hands ne'er be clean?", and "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." Later, we learn
The Development of Macbeth's Character in Act One
Macbeth is a tragic hero, comfortable in the role of a warrior. Act One of this play shows us the decline of Macbeth's character as it develops from a heroic warrior to a ruthless murderer. His ambitious nature is exposed when his destiny is revealed. Shakespeare examines the boundaries of Human Nature and allows the audience to visualise the destructive force of ambition. The audience is allowed inside of Macbeth's conflicting mind and the imagery allows us to sense the conflict. There is a clear conflict between good and evil, and this makes the audience feel uneasy.
The witches symbolise the force of evil and establish the atmosphere of...show more content...
He is a successful, loyal soldier, who is comfortable in this noble role. Even though the audience can see that he is comfortable, we can observe in the oxymoron of "weak" and "brave" that something is wrong. The oxymoron suggests both a weakness in Macbeth, and that conflict is within him. Even though this might be true, the viewers find that he deserves the role of a warrior. From this we can also consider that in the future he might have a role he does not deserve, because his current role suits him better than any other would. We can see he is worthy of his warrior status, "Distaining Fortune, with his brandished steel." Here the audience can see Macbeth's desire for control in the personification of Fortune. As Macbeth "carves out his passage" in the battlefield, he does the same with his destiny. He controls it and cheats it, showing his like for power. This suggests that in the future he will want to control his destiny again, instead of letting it happen normally. His impatient nature shines through at this point, and is a weakness to him. This impatience could bring him down, but at the moment his bravery keeps him strong. "Like Valour's minion." Here the audience can distinguish that Valour has been
Macbeth Character Analysis
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, trust is an important topic throughout the play and is displayed through the character Macbeth as he rises and falls from power. Shakespeare conveys the idea of trust though Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth may seem loyal and trustworthy, but he actually is a fraud and has evil intentions. He trustworthiness to other characters directly corresponds to the amount of power he has in the play. When Macbeth is talking to King about Macbeth's amazing service to the King, he claims that, "The service and the loyalty I owe in doing it pays itself," (Shakespeare, 1.4 25–26) Here, Macbeth claims that serving King Duncan in itself is a gift. This quote displays exemplary loyalty from Mr Loyal himself, Macbeth, as he is enthusiastic about serving the King. In this part of the play, Macbeth is trusted enough to gain power and move up the ranks, as he is trusted by all and doesn't seem to be hiding anything.
Later on in the play when he has yet to decide whether he wants to kill the King or not, he talks with Lady Macbeth about it. He finally concludes the discussion by claiming that he is, "settled and bend up," and that he will commit, "Each corporal agent to this terrible feat," (1.7, 92–96). This quote clearly displays that Macbeth decides to kill the King, someone he was one extremely loyal to. This is an obvious contrast to when he claimed to take pleasure in serving the King and shows that no one can be trusted no matter the acts of loyalty they display. Even though he will commit a horrible deed in the form of murder, he still has the trust of other character in the play and therefore doesn't lose power quite yet.
Once everyone finds King Duncan lying dead, people start to wonder who may have committed the deed. Lennox suggests that it may have been the guards, as Macbeth killed both the King and the guards, but framed the guards for the murder earlier on. Macbeth springs to agreement describing that he repents himself, "...of (his) fury, that (he) did kill them," claiming he killed the guards (2.3 84–85). This quote vividly displays Macbeth's claim to have killed the guards because he was mad at them for killing the King. In actuality, Macbeth killed both the King and
Macbeth Character Analysis Essay
Macbeth is very faithful and honorable general in the beginning of the play. However, once he rebels to king due to three witches plot, his character and personality changes completely. He becomes an atrocious and tyrannical ruler. Furthermore, his understanding of kingly rule is exposed in his words in act 4 scene 1: "Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits: / The flighty purpose never is o'ertook / Unless the deed go with it; from this moment / The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand." (Shakespeare 4.1.162–166). His evil character, which changed after becoming a king, matches with his understanding of kingly rule – he believes that king can do anything even though it is a dread exploit. Even though Macbeth...show more content...
He thinks that it is important for him to eliminate people who are opposing to him in order to keep his kingship. Therefore, he uses his kingly rule, which is making dread exploit to kill disrupters, to stay in king's throne. Although his violent and satanicalness after becoming a king, it is also understandable why he acts like that as a king. In the beginning of Act 1, Shakespeare describes the scene of Macbeth fighting with rebels very vividly. The scene that Macbeth brutally massacres the rebels shows how the king remains his kingship: "For brave Macbeth––well he deserves that name–– / Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution, /Like valour's minion carved out his passage / Till he faced the slave; / Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, / Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps, / And fix'd his head upon our battlements" (1.2.18–25). What this vicious battle scene tells is that even authentic kingdom maintains its kingdom with bloodshed and cruel military power. Macbeth is the one who is the spearhead of this incident, so it is obvious that it influences Macbeth's understanding of kingly rule. He learns that he has to get blood on his hand to keep his kingship from his experience under King Duncan as a general. This leads to the point where Macbeth says "The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand" (4.1.165–166). This means that if it is impossible to avoid not getting
Lady Macbeth Character Analysis Essay
Character Analysis
Lady Macbeth can be said to be one of Shakespeare's most famous and frightening female characters. She fulfills her role among the nobility and is well respected, like Macbeth. She is loving, yet very determined that her husband will be king. At the beginning of the play, when she is first seen, she is already plotting the murder of Duncan, showing more strength, ruthlessness, and ambition than Macbeth. She lusts after power and position and then pressures her husband into killing Duncan. Upon receiving the letter with the witches' prophecies from her husband, she begins to think and knowing that Macbeth lacks the courage for something like this, she calls upon the forces of evil to help her do what must be...show more content...
Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband with such effectiveness and overrides all his objections.
She repeatedly questions his manhood, courage, and his love for her. She knows he is too weak to kill Duncan so she has no choice but to manipulate him to win him the title of King. She does this until he feels that he has no choice but to commit the murder to prove him to her.
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath if slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valor
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would,"
Like the poor cat I' the adage? (lines 36–45/act 1/scene 7)
As the strong hold in the relationship, Lady Macbeth shows remarkable strength up to the point of Duncan's murder. She is the comforter of Macbeth immediately after he commits the crime. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth later lose the ability to sleep because if they do, they have terrifying dreams but she still shows more strength during the day than her husband. To help keep Macbeth from feeling guilty and to help keep him calm in the night, she once again questions his manhood. That is until she cracks and her conscience becomes too much for her to handle. She was the one who had more
Macbeth Character Analysis
Making Macbeth Interesting
The story of Macbeth is no doubt an interesting one, but would it still be if some minor characters were taken out? Although the three witches are not main characters, they have a large role in the play Macbeth. The witches advance the plot of Macbeth by telling Macbeth his fate, by telling Banquo his fate, and by showing Macbeth the three apparitions. The first way that the witches advance the plot is by telling Macbeth what his fate will be. The three witches greet him by saying,"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis.' All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! 'All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter" (Macbeth 1.3. 47). This advances the plot because it gives Macbeth a motive to kill the king. Once Macbeth learns his fate, he plans several murders, with the help of Lady Macbeth, including that of the King. Without the witches telling Macbeth that he is going to be king, there would be no murder of King Duncan, by the hand of Macbeth. Lee Jamieson supports this in his article by saying, "He becomes Thane of Cawdor as predicted by the three Macbeth witches, whose scheming helps drive Macbeths Ambition and transform him into a murderer and tyrant" (Macbeth Character Analysis). Not only do the witches advance the plot for Macbeths life, they also tell Banquo his fate, which adds much suspense to the play. As Banquo and Macbeth are coming back to battle they each get a greeting a from the witches. When the witches greet Banquo they say to him, "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.'" (Macbeth 1.3. 65). The witches just told Banquo that in the future he will be great, happy, and father a king. This advances the plot line of Macbeth because it makes the audience wonder what Macbeth will do with the information he received. They want to know if Banquo will use this information against Macbeth or if he will decide to tell him. Lee Jamieson elaborates a bit on this by saying, "It is perhaps part of Macbeth's character to shape his life according to the predictions – whereas Banquo does not" (How the "Macbeth Witches Drive the Plays Plot). After the witches are done
Macbeth Character Analysis
The character Macbeth, in the Shakespearean play The Tragedy of Macbeth, gives the audience much to cringe about. A seemingly good and virtuous noble turns into a murderous power–thirsty tyrant. However, the change runs deeper than that. The transformation of Macbeth shows the disintegration of a human as he gives into the forces pressing on him.
In the beginning, Macbeth displays good character. He works hard defending his authority and appears loyal to his king; but when the three witches foretell of Macbeth's future, they set before him a challenge which he eventually fails. They tell him he will be king and ignite his ambition. From hence, Macbeth cannot stop pondering about the day he will be king. He desperately wants the leading role and is impatient in its hesitation to come. Favila, however, says "It is not the wish to be king that ultimately betrays Macbeth, but the image of the wish fulfilled" (8). In other words, the wish to be king was not his undoing, but rather the manner in which he became king. Desiring greater things is not something inherently wrong. In fact, absolute contentment is perhaps a more tragic alternative as there exists no motive for bettering oneself or others. But letting such ambition control his actions completely for his own benefit leads Macbeth to commit murder in order to become king.
Even with this fiery ambition, Macbeth was not lent easily towards the idea of taking over the thrown by force. Rather, his wife, also greatly desiring to
Essay Macbeth Character Analysis
Character Analysis
In the tragedy Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, many character traits are portrayed through the various characters throughout the play. Macbeth was one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. It was completed in 1606 and was most likely first performed before King James I and his royal family at Hampton Court. King James I is believed to be a direct descendent of the character Banquo. Probably the most potent character trait expressed in Macbeth would be integrity or the lack there of. Integrity could be defined as doing the right thing at all costs no matter what the consequences or what would be in the persons best interest. In this play the person that displays the most...show more content...
The first event that showed Macbeth giving up on his integrity would be when he and his wife plotted to murder Duncan when he stayed at their castle for the night. In the time that this play took place there was almost no greater sin than to consider killing the King, but not only did Macbeth consider it he actually carried it out. The only thing keeping Macbeth from being the king of Scotland is the fact that that title belongs to Duncan. So in order for Macbeth to attain this highest honor he must dispose of King Duncan and not be caught. But with this murder comes many more acts of lack of integrity on Macbeth’s behalf.
In another scene in the play Macbeth is forced to kill one of his long time friends Banquo. Instead of doing it himself Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo for him showing once again that he is turning more and more against his values, because this shows in a way that he may be somewhat scared. Another thing that shows that Macbeth is scared is that he is trying everything possible to hide his treachery and even says, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.'; (1,7,82) In this line Macbeth tells us that he must lie on the outside to keep the secrets he has inside from getting to other people.
Through out the
Macbeth Character Analysis
A story is only as good as the characters within them, and in the case of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, countless individuals are used to progress the tragedy of the disaster that is Macbeth. Lady Macbeth assists in her husband's inevitable demise by initially providing the reprehensible plan to murder Duncan, and by lowering her husband's confidence with criticism.
Early on in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth receives a mysterious message from three witches, promising his title as Thane of Cawdor and afterwards as King of Scotland. Though this idea clearly entertains him, he says, "to be King / Stands not within the prospect of belief, / No more than to be Cawdor" (I. iii 73–75), explaining to the witches that the prophecies could never...show more content...
v. 68–70) when speaking of Duncan visiting their home, and how after the events of that night they will live like royalty. Lady Macbeth's use of rhyme between "come" and "masterdom" accentuates the foreboding and cynical tone of her plans. The change in iambic pentameter attracts the attention of the reader and communicates that her words are notable to the plot and influential to Macbeth's future–– including his destruction.
Lady Macbeth's actions lead Macbeth to his destruction by lowering his self confidence with harsh criticism, causing his unhealthy thirst for success and fear of failure. The night that Duncan visits their home, Lady Macbeth schemes the murder plan. They act as kind hosts, and as the night continues, Macbeth learns Duncan is a good, genuine man. He begins to question his morals, saying, "he's here in double trust: / First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, / Strong both against the deed; then, as his host," (I. vii. 12–14). While he yearns for the kingsmanship, the idea of murdering a good man makes him feel sinful and scared for the consequences that would come with it. Lady Macbeth starts by questioning the former war hero's ambition, something he prides himself on: "Was the hope drunk / Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? / And wakes it now to look so green and pale" (I. vii. 36–38).
Macbeth Character Essay
Essay:
Introduction:
An important character in 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare was Macbeth. Macbeth is shown as the protagonist of the play and is the person who drives the plot of the drama. Macbeth changes dramatically throughout the play as in the start he is portrayed as the tragic hero who would do anything for his King and country. As the plays continue he becomes ambitious and, encouraged by a prophecy. After that, he ends up killing a lot of people/becoming a tyrant. Paragraph 1:
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is introduced as a brave war soldier; whose fame on the battlefield wins him a great honour from King Duncan and others around him. Macbeth is described by the captain as "brave Macbeth... Till he fac'd the...show more content...
Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires." This shows that Macbeth is more determined to kill King Duncan after he hears that Malcolm is named the Prince of Cumberland. He is determined as Macbeth believes that he should be the King as the witches told him that he would be. Paragraph 3:
After Macbeth kills Duncan and becomes the king of Scotland, we see that he becomes out of control and starts to act like a tyrant. Macbeth begins to kill innocent people to hide his fear and become more of a man. He starts off by killing his best friend Banquo and attempts to kill his son Fleance. This is because he knows that Banquo suspects him of something. Macbeth is also mad that he has done all this work to become king and Banquo's Son will benefit from this and become King. After he kills Banquo, he says "For mine own good All causes shall give way. I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." This quote shows that there is no going back now to stop killing for Macbeth. He is committed to killing and whatever terrible things he may yet have to do.
After this Macbeth kills Macduff whole family and servants to send Macduff a message for being disloyal and he thinks that Macduff suspects him of something as well. This is shown when Macbeth says "The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his