A tale full of sound and fury that begins with a brave man, who ends up as a decapitated butcher. Is he the only one, who is responsible for his dreadful destiny? Does one utterly control their fate? Is one’s fate influenced by others? In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, Macbeth’s character changes throughout the story as an outcome of external influences. Macbeth’s inevitable bitter end is not only a consequence of his ambitions, but it is also shaped by external influences which lead to Macbeth’s transformation from a brave nobleman to a heartless devil, and a tragic death. Macbeth’s ambitions and actions are profoundly formed by the Witches’ deceitful prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s ambitious actions and impacts of Duncan’s murder which
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Macbeth’s encounter with the Witches throughout the play sparks Macbeth’s inner ambition to become the king of Scotland and transforms him into an arrogant evil. To begin, Macbeth’s first encounter with the Witches develops conflict within himself about becoming the king of Scotland which inspires him to kill King Duncan. To illustrate, when Macbeth hears his new title, Thane of Cawdor, he constantly reasons about the Witches’ prophecies and the throne of Scotland which unfolds a conflict within himself and rise of his ambitions. As Macbeth ponders, “This supernatural soliciting / Cannot be ill, cannot be good … why do I yield to that suggestion, /… whose murder … Shakes so my single state of man that function” (Shakespeare, 1.3.129-34). It demonstrates the influence of the Witches’ prophecies on Macbeth which introduces the idea of murder to achieve the throne. In this way, the Witches’ encounter with Macbeth gives rise to Macbeth’s ambition which ultimately leads to the murder of King Duncan. Similarly, Macbeth’s second encounter with the Witches disturbs his life and converts him into a wicked egotistical man. For instance, the Witches persuade Macbeth to become ignorant with their half-true prophecies which causes Macbeth to believe he is untouchable in the battle against Macduff and invading enemy army. The prophecies “none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.79,80) and “Macbeth shall never vanquish ’d be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / shall come against him” (4.1,.91-93) provide Macbeth with the false fantasy that he is secure against the enemy’s army. To demonstrate, when Macbeth is preparing for the battle, he reasons, “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” (5.5.9) which effectively suggests Macbeth’s overconfidence due to the prophecies. Unfortunately,
Macbeth’s encounter with the Witches throughout the play sparks Macbeth’s inner ambition to become the king of Scotland and transforms him into an arrogant evil. To begin, Macbeth’s first encounter with the Witches develops conflict within himself about becoming the king of Scotland which inspires him to kill King Duncan. To illustrate, when Macbeth hears his new title, Thane of Cawdor, he constantly reasons about the Witches’ prophecies and the throne of Scotland which unfolds a conflict within himself and rise of his ambitions. As Macbeth ponders, “This supernatural soliciting / Cannot be ill, cannot be good … why do I yield to that suggestion, /… whose murder … Shakes so my single state of man that function” (Shakespeare, 1.3.129-34). It demonstrates the influence of the Witches’ prophecies on Macbeth which introduces the idea of murder to achieve the throne. In this way, the Witches’ encounter with Macbeth gives rise to Macbeth’s ambition which ultimately leads to the murder of King Duncan. Similarly, Macbeth’s second encounter with the Witches disturbs his life and converts him into a wicked egotistical man. For instance, the Witches persuade Macbeth to become ignorant with their half-true prophecies which causes Macbeth to believe he is untouchable in the battle against Macduff and invading enemy army. The prophecies “none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.79,80) and “Macbeth shall never vanquish ’d be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / shall come against him” (4.1,.91-93) provide Macbeth with the false fantasy that he is secure against the enemy’s army. To demonstrate, when Macbeth is preparing for the battle, he reasons, “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” (5.5.9) which effectively suggests Macbeth’s overconfidence due to the prophecies. Unfortunately,