The Challenges Of Conflict In Shakespeare's Macbeth

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” In this quote by author Helen Keller, Keller claims that the only way to further reveal your true personality is to make decisions in the scene of conflict. Keller claims that the only way to develop your character is to get through the roadblocks of life. Evidence of this this claim can be found in Shakespeare 's play, Macbeth. In the play, the main character, Macbeth, is a scottish noble and a war hero under the noble king Duncan. In the start of the play, Macbeth is defined by is honorable nature and willingness to serve King Duncan to the fullest of his abilities at all …show more content…
The betrayal of the king was dramatically ironic and for almost everyone in the play, though it was clearer to the reader about the upcoming tragedy, it remained hidden from almost all the characters of the ply, including the Macbeth. Noble Macbeth, though having the ambition stirring, continued to refuse to kill Duncan until only shortly before the deed actually occurred. Even when Macbeth, in his dazed state, became certain about his actions, the event remained ironic. The irony changed from dramatic to situational, as the irony had befallen Macbeth and King Duncan. Duncan believed that Macbeth was his most loyal servant and would do anything he commanded. This made the event of Macbeth killing him very ironic and unexpected by everyone. The irony of the this event ties the betrayal of Duncan to theme of the story. Though Macbeth is defined by his honor and loyalty to the king, once he hears his fate by the witches, ambition stirs in his mind., but doesn’t take him over. Macbeth fights his growing ambition all the way to the shortly before he finally kills Duncan. Noble Macbeth falls to ambition and more importantly, his own fate. The theme is revealed in this act showing that even the noblest of men will flail to ill deeds if it is their fate. This is the theme of the play and is revealed by the betrayal of Duncan of …show more content…
After betraying Duncan, Macbeth became king of scotland, but as he wore the crown, the guilt of the betrayal to its last owner festered. Macbeth had become overwhelmed with the guilt of killing Duncan. to add to Macbeth’s inner conflict, he also had grown paranoid of losing what he had betrayed his nature and titles to get. The root of this fear was his friend Banquo, who had also received the fate that his blood would one day be king. The fear of his own demise by Banquo’s blood pushed Macbeth into rage and further ambition. Macbeth, in attempt to break Banquo’s fate, ordered two men to kill Banquo and his only son, Fleance, on their way back to Macbeth’s castle. The men attack the pair, and kill Banquo, but his son escapes. The killers go back to Macbeth and give him the news of their work. Macbeth’s current fears of Banquo disintegrate, but are replaced by new emotions. Banquo’s death marks the final change of Macbeth. Macbeth was overtaken by the guilt of Duncan’s death, but Macbeth is able to push through the guilt and order the death of his most trusted friend. Though Macbeth has quite a lot of guilt from killing Banquo, he also reveals how he has changed since the beginning of the play. Macbeth is now ruthless and full of arrogance. He also shows a lack of his original honor when choosing to have Banquo killed by others than doing the deed himself. Banquo’s death not only shows the change in