Some might argue that fear does not force the characters to do anything. They make the choices on their own. Macbeth would not have murdered innocent people if he was afraid, because they were not trying to take his power. If he was afraid of losing his throne, he would have murdered Macduff, not his family. Moreover, when Macbeth finds out the Macduff has fled to England, he realizes that, “The flighty purpose never is o’ertook / unless the deed go with it” (4.2.44-45), suggesting that he understands what he is doing and how he will do it. The fact that he uses the word ‘purpose’ indicates that Macbeth is fully aware of what he is doing, and is not being controlled by fear. Because he makes the conscious decision to do a ‘deed’ once he thinks
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When he decides this, he has just found out that Macduff has fled to England. This terrifies Macbeth, because Malcolm is in England, so Macbeth fears that they are planning to overthrow him. This is shown by Macbeth’s reaction to the news. He immediately decides that “the very firstlings of [his] heart shall be / the firstlings of [his] hand” (4.2.46-47). Because he is essentially saying he will do whatever he thinks of first, it is clear that he has not thought through this decision. Furthermore, the choice to kill Lady Macduff and her son is made on this irrational ideology, showing that he did not make a conscious decision but was merely following an impulsive plan created by fear. Additionally, Macbeth creates fear among his subjects through murdering people, therefore, the murdering of innocent people will increase this fear, demonstrating that either way Macbeth is motivated by …show more content…
He will walk around the woods and come across a group of people. They will immediately leave the stage but in that group will be Fleance, wearing Banquo’s blood stained costume. Macbeth will jump back and look away but by the time he looks up, the group of people will be gone. The lights will darken and lightning flashes will light up the theatre as the witches enter. Macbeth watches the apparitions, becoming more and more confident until Banquo’s ghost comes on with one of the apparitions. He will have the blood stained outfit and this will make Macbeth remember Fleance. To show this fear, lightning will flash again and Fleance will appear in one of the balconies. Macbeth will jump but then Fleance will disappear. Macbeth will be somewhat distracted until the witches exit. Then, Fleance will enter in a deep red spotlight. This is to show Macbeth’s fear of losing his power. Lennox will then enter from the other side of the stage. He will clearly not be able to see Fleance. As Macbeth talks to Lennox, Fleance will exit. Although Macbeth cannot see Fleance, as his back is turned to him, he will visibly relax when Fleance leaves. Then, when Macbeth finds out that Macduff has fled to England, the lights will slowly brighten. They will turn bright red and center in on Macbeth. This is to show his anger and fear coming together to create a ruthless impulsive
When he decides this, he has just found out that Macduff has fled to England. This terrifies Macbeth, because Malcolm is in England, so Macbeth fears that they are planning to overthrow him. This is shown by Macbeth’s reaction to the news. He immediately decides that “the very firstlings of [his] heart shall be / the firstlings of [his] hand” (4.2.46-47). Because he is essentially saying he will do whatever he thinks of first, it is clear that he has not thought through this decision. Furthermore, the choice to kill Lady Macduff and her son is made on this irrational ideology, showing that he did not make a conscious decision but was merely following an impulsive plan created by fear. Additionally, Macbeth creates fear among his subjects through murdering people, therefore, the murdering of innocent people will increase this fear, demonstrating that either way Macbeth is motivated by …show more content…
He will walk around the woods and come across a group of people. They will immediately leave the stage but in that group will be Fleance, wearing Banquo’s blood stained costume. Macbeth will jump back and look away but by the time he looks up, the group of people will be gone. The lights will darken and lightning flashes will light up the theatre as the witches enter. Macbeth watches the apparitions, becoming more and more confident until Banquo’s ghost comes on with one of the apparitions. He will have the blood stained outfit and this will make Macbeth remember Fleance. To show this fear, lightning will flash again and Fleance will appear in one of the balconies. Macbeth will jump but then Fleance will disappear. Macbeth will be somewhat distracted until the witches exit. Then, Fleance will enter in a deep red spotlight. This is to show Macbeth’s fear of losing his power. Lennox will then enter from the other side of the stage. He will clearly not be able to see Fleance. As Macbeth talks to Lennox, Fleance will exit. Although Macbeth cannot see Fleance, as his back is turned to him, he will visibly relax when Fleance leaves. Then, when Macbeth finds out that Macduff has fled to England, the lights will slowly brighten. They will turn bright red and center in on Macbeth. This is to show his anger and fear coming together to create a ruthless impulsive