Tucker Max stated, “The devil doesn’t come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for.” This quote details the thought that the devil-temptation-doesn’t come as the stereotypical western demon, but as your greatest desire. In the play ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is often tempted by various things and people to commit various deeds to achieve his desires, of which his reaction varies. This essay will address who tempts Macbeth, his reactions, and why Macbeth is an interesting character for us to watch being tempted.
Temptation comes in various forms, whether it be people, the supernatural, or even yourself. The first, and most obvious enticers are the three weird sisters. The witches …show more content…
Firstly, the act in which the witches give the prophecy about Macbeth’s future status most clearly defines Macbeth’s personality; he almost immediately considers murder to be a plausible way to gain power after being honoured by the king, stating, “Let not light see my black and deep desires.” Later in the play, the words of the witches are still influencing Macbeth; he sought out the witches to demand an explanation and another prophecy. Macbeth reacts more hesitantly to Lady Macbeth, denying her suggestions fiercely--even so, Macbeth agreed to murder the king after his wife assured him that their plan would succeed. Macbeth, stated, “ I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other.” In other words, Macbeth, even after admitting that there was no real need to kill the king,still murders Duncan, wanting his power for himself.
As readers, we find ourselves intrigued by how Macbeth reacts to those who tempt him. Even though he is a fictional character who was created over four hundred years ago, the way that he behaves in response to an enticement draws us in, because of various reasons. First of all, we see ourselves in Macbeth. Human nature doesn’t change over time, and stories and characters such as Macbeth translate the human psyche into something that we can understand
Temptation comes in various forms, whether it be people, the supernatural, or even yourself. The first, and most obvious enticers are the three weird sisters. The witches …show more content…
Firstly, the act in which the witches give the prophecy about Macbeth’s future status most clearly defines Macbeth’s personality; he almost immediately considers murder to be a plausible way to gain power after being honoured by the king, stating, “Let not light see my black and deep desires.” Later in the play, the words of the witches are still influencing Macbeth; he sought out the witches to demand an explanation and another prophecy. Macbeth reacts more hesitantly to Lady Macbeth, denying her suggestions fiercely--even so, Macbeth agreed to murder the king after his wife assured him that their plan would succeed. Macbeth, stated, “ I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other.” In other words, Macbeth, even after admitting that there was no real need to kill the king,still murders Duncan, wanting his power for himself.
As readers, we find ourselves intrigued by how Macbeth reacts to those who tempt him. Even though he is a fictional character who was created over four hundred years ago, the way that he behaves in response to an enticement draws us in, because of various reasons. First of all, we see ourselves in Macbeth. Human nature doesn’t change over time, and stories and characters such as Macbeth translate the human psyche into something that we can understand