Register to read the introduction…
Upon the hearing of the witches’ prophecy, Macbeth’s inner man is stirred as he charges the “imperfect speakers [to stay and to], tell [him] more” (7), initiating his degeneration as a hero. This stating of partially true ideas to Macbeth by the witches lead him away from the path of loyal gentlemen into that of a cold-blooded killer. The actions of the witches reveal his yearning for power no matter the consequences, which in turn are one of his shortcomings. This malign prophecy becomes the only thing he can rely on; the only thing that would not fall through. His vaulting ambition is heightened as he starts to depart from his dear friend Banquo physically and mentally. “[Aside] Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind” (9). The use of the witches as a remedy for Macbeth’s curiosity originates his corruption of himself. Consequently, Macbeth’s troubled personality is extenuated further in the form of reckless ambition, ill-found bravery, and self-doubt causing him to lose sense of right and
…show more content…
After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is consumed by a life of evil. He is aware of the wrong he has committed of which he deeply regrets, but he is also aware that he can never turn back. Macbeth makes the mistake of relying solely on the witches’ prophecies. He begins to think that all are against him, and with that thought, he decides to kill his noble friend, Banquo, in hopes of securing his crown. “Whose being I do fear; and under him my genius is rebuk’d... They hail’d him father to line of kings... If’t be so, for Banquo’s issue have I fil’d my mind” (43). Consumed by the words of the witches, Macbeth refers back to them and is giving four more prophecies, he misinterpreted his own power into believing he was invincible also, mistakenly believed he could change fate. Just like Aristotle once said, a tragic hero must not be a man of virtue nor a villain. Macbeth has proven himself to be an archetypal tragic hero. He begins as a fine natured gentlemen but as the play progress his sole reliance on the witches’ prophecy further intensifies his ambition, bringing a devastating end to all those close to him. In the end, Macbeth’s life closes with a tragic ending, proving Shakespeare’s belief that no matter how just a character is- a tragedy is still possible within a
After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is consumed by a life of evil. He is aware of the wrong he has committed of which he deeply regrets, but he is also aware that he can never turn back. Macbeth makes the mistake of relying solely on the witches’ prophecies. He begins to think that all are against him, and with that thought, he decides to kill his noble friend, Banquo, in hopes of securing his crown. “Whose being I do fear; and under him my genius is rebuk’d... They hail’d him father to line of kings... If’t be so, for Banquo’s issue have I fil’d my mind” (43). Consumed by the words of the witches, Macbeth refers back to them and is giving four more prophecies, he misinterpreted his own power into believing he was invincible also, mistakenly believed he could change fate. Just like Aristotle once said, a tragic hero must not be a man of virtue nor a villain. Macbeth has proven himself to be an archetypal tragic hero. He begins as a fine natured gentlemen but as the play progress his sole reliance on the witches’ prophecy further intensifies his ambition, bringing a devastating end to all those close to him. In the end, Macbeth’s life closes with a tragic ending, proving Shakespeare’s belief that no matter how just a character is- a tragedy is still possible within a