Perhaps the most interesting aspect in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is the relationship between desire and virtue. Although Shakespeare never defines virtue in the play, it is clear that King Duncan and Lady Macbeth epitomize two opposing thoughts on the idea of virtue. King Duncan is the embodiment of modest virtues, and has no desire to possess anything more than what he already has. Contrary to the king, Lady Macbeth sees desire as an agent to accomplish one’s ambitions. Macbeth’s thoughts and intentions on the other hand are not as transparent as the other two characters’. He is in a constant situation of doubting himself and his surroundings, but there is a clear distinction between his disposition in the first part of the play and his disposition
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This insecurity leads to more violent acts. Although Macbeth seems to be aware of his paradoxical situation when he says, “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill”(Act 3.2, p.47), he also becomes obsessed with his newly found power and does not want Banquo’s sons to replace him anytime soon. His thought, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murdered;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace,” (Act 3.1, p.42) proves that Macbeth is so consumed by his desires that he is ready to assassinate Banquo to gain back the peace. Furthermore, he suggests that murdering gracious Duncan was what he was supposed to do to fulfill the prophecy, however it is himself who has set the prophecy in motion not destiny or another external supernatural force. This fight between desire and virtue creates a division in his character and he begins doubting his senses and his environment. For example, in the scene where they hold a banquet he thinks he sees the ghost of Banquo, leading him to delirium. What is interesting in this scene is when Lady Macbeth asks him, “Are you a man?” (Act 3.4 p.52) he replies, “Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that/ Which might appall the devil.” This line evokes Macbeth’s change of character by showing his acceptance of the image of masculinity that Lady Macbeth imposes on him because he does not contest her. Consequently, his understanding of virtue disintegrates from his understanding in the beginning of the
This insecurity leads to more violent acts. Although Macbeth seems to be aware of his paradoxical situation when he says, “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill”(Act 3.2, p.47), he also becomes obsessed with his newly found power and does not want Banquo’s sons to replace him anytime soon. His thought, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murdered;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace,” (Act 3.1, p.42) proves that Macbeth is so consumed by his desires that he is ready to assassinate Banquo to gain back the peace. Furthermore, he suggests that murdering gracious Duncan was what he was supposed to do to fulfill the prophecy, however it is himself who has set the prophecy in motion not destiny or another external supernatural force. This fight between desire and virtue creates a division in his character and he begins doubting his senses and his environment. For example, in the scene where they hold a banquet he thinks he sees the ghost of Banquo, leading him to delirium. What is interesting in this scene is when Lady Macbeth asks him, “Are you a man?” (Act 3.4 p.52) he replies, “Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that/ Which might appall the devil.” This line evokes Macbeth’s change of character by showing his acceptance of the image of masculinity that Lady Macbeth imposes on him because he does not contest her. Consequently, his understanding of virtue disintegrates from his understanding in the beginning of the