Macbeth’s character in Shakespeare’s Macbeth changes drastically throughout the play.
Macbeth starts the play off as a righteous man who is incredibly loyal to his country and his
King. As the play progresses, Macbeth hears of the future laid out for him and turns into a deceitful man but deep down he doesn’t want to be. His wife convinces him that he has to be that way. By the end of the play, Macbeth was too far down the wrong path to make things right. His ambition drives him down a dark and disappointing road which leads him to his first murder. The first person Macbeth kills on this downward spiral is King Duncan. King Duncan had always been good towards Macbeth and Macbeth struggles with the decision to kill him. Lady Macbeth is quick …show more content…
Macbeth’s actions lead to his own demise as well.
How Macbeth Starts Off
Macbeth is first introduced as a noble soldier returning from battle. He was asked by
King Duncan, the King of Scotland, to put down a rebellion. On their way back to the King,
Macbeth and his loyal friend Banquo pass by three witches who insist on telling Macbeth and
Banquo their fate. They told Macbeth that he would become “Thane of Glamis ... Thane of
Cowdor ... and King hereafter” (Act I, Scene III, Lines 50-52). Macbeth thought nothing of becoming Thane of Glamis because when his father died he was expected to fill that position anyway. Thane of Cowdor and King however, were positions that Macbeth did not expect himself to obtain. he was very qualified for those positions but they were already filled and the people filling them already had heirs to their thrones. The witches told Banquo that “Thou shalt
HOW MACBETH CHANGES
4
get kings, though thou be none” (Act I, Scene III, Line 69). Banquo seriously questions whether the witches can be trusted. With that being said, he is excited to hear that his sons will be kings.
The two return back to the king and are praised for their obedience and …show more content…
This made Macbeth change his mind and
HOW MACBETH CHANGES
5
convinced him that killing Duncan was something he had to do in order to fulfill the prophecy.
At this point in the play, Macbeth’s darker side is starting to come out.
What Macbeth Turns into after killing King Duncan
Macbeth and his wife follow through with the plan and successfully pin it on the guards.
Although Macbeth did not get caught, deep down he feels guilty. He knows that what he has done is not righteous. Right after the murder, Macbeth tells his wife, “I’ll go no more: / I am afraid to think what I have done; / Look on ‘t again I dare not.” (Act II, Scene II, Lines 61-63).
Macbeth almost immediately regretted what he had done. He was ashamed and could not bear to even think about it anymore. Throughout the play, Macbeth loses his conscience. He progressively cares less and less about the effects of his actions. Although that statement is true,
Macbeth always has a split second where he thinks it’s a bad idea but his ambition becomes louder and drives him more and more each time which prevents Macbeth from making thoughtful decisions. The amount of trouble he had making decisions explains what his
Macbeth starts the play off as a righteous man who is incredibly loyal to his country and his
King. As the play progresses, Macbeth hears of the future laid out for him and turns into a deceitful man but deep down he doesn’t want to be. His wife convinces him that he has to be that way. By the end of the play, Macbeth was too far down the wrong path to make things right. His ambition drives him down a dark and disappointing road which leads him to his first murder. The first person Macbeth kills on this downward spiral is King Duncan. King Duncan had always been good towards Macbeth and Macbeth struggles with the decision to kill him. Lady Macbeth is quick …show more content…
Macbeth’s actions lead to his own demise as well.
How Macbeth Starts Off
Macbeth is first introduced as a noble soldier returning from battle. He was asked by
King Duncan, the King of Scotland, to put down a rebellion. On their way back to the King,
Macbeth and his loyal friend Banquo pass by three witches who insist on telling Macbeth and
Banquo their fate. They told Macbeth that he would become “Thane of Glamis ... Thane of
Cowdor ... and King hereafter” (Act I, Scene III, Lines 50-52). Macbeth thought nothing of becoming Thane of Glamis because when his father died he was expected to fill that position anyway. Thane of Cowdor and King however, were positions that Macbeth did not expect himself to obtain. he was very qualified for those positions but they were already filled and the people filling them already had heirs to their thrones. The witches told Banquo that “Thou shalt
HOW MACBETH CHANGES
4
get kings, though thou be none” (Act I, Scene III, Line 69). Banquo seriously questions whether the witches can be trusted. With that being said, he is excited to hear that his sons will be kings.
The two return back to the king and are praised for their obedience and …show more content…
This made Macbeth change his mind and
HOW MACBETH CHANGES
5
convinced him that killing Duncan was something he had to do in order to fulfill the prophecy.
At this point in the play, Macbeth’s darker side is starting to come out.
What Macbeth Turns into after killing King Duncan
Macbeth and his wife follow through with the plan and successfully pin it on the guards.
Although Macbeth did not get caught, deep down he feels guilty. He knows that what he has done is not righteous. Right after the murder, Macbeth tells his wife, “I’ll go no more: / I am afraid to think what I have done; / Look on ‘t again I dare not.” (Act II, Scene II, Lines 61-63).
Macbeth almost immediately regretted what he had done. He was ashamed and could not bear to even think about it anymore. Throughout the play, Macbeth loses his conscience. He progressively cares less and less about the effects of his actions. Although that statement is true,
Macbeth always has a split second where he thinks it’s a bad idea but his ambition becomes louder and drives him more and more each time which prevents Macbeth from making thoughtful decisions. The amount of trouble he had making decisions explains what his