Macbeth

English Essay

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tragedy about a war hero named Macbeth, who follows his ambition with evil and who is repaid with evil. Macbeth demonstrates what can happen when one does not follow their conscience. The main character, Macbeth begins the play as a strong character that is greatly admired. Macbeth’s strive for power affects every aspect of his life, and eventually leads to his death. Macbeth’s wife, the three witches, and Macbeth’s own ambition all play a role in his ill-fated future. However, it is difficult to determine who is responsible and whether Macbeth should be exonerated or not for his wicked deeds.

The witches and their prophecies are the first major influence on Macbeth’s actions. Macbeth already knows he is Thane of Glamis, until the three witches tell him, "hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, thou shalt be King hereafter." . After hearing this, Macbeth and Banquo, his loyal friend, find out that King Duncan has named Macbeth "Thane of Cawdor." They think about how the rest of the prophecy will come true. The witches also advise them that Banquo’s son would be King one day. This is the first part onto the road of destruction for Macbeth. There is a great difference before and after Macbeth meets the witches. Their affect has changed him from the hero to a traitor and ‘planted the seed of evil within him’ which makes it seem as if it was his destiny for that moment to occur.

Another influence that was made by the witches was Macbeth encountering two supernatural matters. They were the appearance of the dagger and the witches’ apparitions. The appearance of the dagger is the object seems to be proving the destiny the witches have given Macbeth. This had resulted from his urge for more power and the urge to please his wife. As the dagger appears Macbeth turns from a fearful man with a strong integrity into a murderer who takes Duncan’s life. The witches’ apparition also takes a major effect on Macbeth. From the apparition Macbeth become more wicked and orders murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance, just to prevent the witches’ prophecy from becoming fact. This therefore blames the witches as they have brought the seeds of evil onto Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth is another major influence on Macbeth’s actions. Lady Macbeth begins to think what "impedes thee from the golden round" . Lady Macbeth has a very different reaction to Macbeth's. She seems almost more bloodthirsty evil character so already we know she is very keen for Macbeth to fulfill this prophecy. Lady Macbeth requests that the, "sprits that tend on mortal thoughts, to unsex her, and fill her with the "direst cruelty…" She wanted evil will to aid her in the hardening of her heart and make it possible for her to carry out her wicked plan. Lady Macbeth wishes to throw out her integrity for the sake of becoming Queen. She approaches Macbeth with her goal to kill King Duncan. Macbeth, although wanting the prophecy to come true, and become king, lacks the eagerness as his wife does, to commit the murder. Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to act on his desires or she will think of him as a coward. Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it." . Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to act as he normally would, to appear to be happy with the King’s visit and keep his wicked plan in the back of his mind. Macbeth still has reservations but, Lady Macbeth has already taken preparations towards the evil act, and his mind begins to wander.

Macbeth himself should also seem like the obvious person to blame for his wicked deeds. Since the witches’ prophecies were spoken, this started Macbeth’s desire to become king, however no one tells him to kill Duncan. When the second prophecy becomes a reality, Macbeth immediately thinks of murdering Duncan. “I am of Cawdor: / If good, why do I yield to that suggestion / Whose image doth unfix my hair” . For the first time in the story, we see a dark and evil side to the brave and courageous Macbeth. Macbeth sees himself kill his ruler. Macbeth is horrified by the idea but his thoughts of going after his destiny still remain. Another example of Macbeth’s early thoughts of treachery occurs when Duncan formally names his son Malcolm as his successor. “Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires:/The eye wink at the hand! yet let that be, /” . Macbeth is angry at Duncan’s choice of successor and wishes to forget the situation with murder. No one helps Macbeth’s thoughts to prepare for the murder of Duncan. It is Macbeth and Macbeth only who is responsible for his own ambitions. Macbeth is eager to become king and wishes to reach his goal by any means, even if this means letting himself be influenced by others.