When the story begins, Macbeth truly is a “peerless kinsman” to the king (1.4.66); however, as the story progresses others refer to him in this way only because they are oblivious to his true desire” (Balwan 3). As Balwan states, Macbeth has as significant change due to the so call “power” of being king. While Macbeth transitions to a new form of character, he isolates himself from Lady Macbeth. As the power increases, Macbeth is determined to kill.
His greed brings temporal joy, but later causes social and mental insanity. Although the fictional tragedy portrays a practical lesson for one’s character, it also has a spiritual application. He is merely an ordinary man, a respected general of King Duncan’s army. Macbeth is living a pleasant life, "For brave Macbeth — well he deserves that name” (Act I Scene II), until three witches prophesy of a greater future. Although he believes it is an impossible fate, Macbeth allows the prophecies to linger in his thoughts.
He can not only rely on the fact that a man acts properly, he needs to do more. This explains why Macbeth is a fierce warrior; he acts respectably to fill the hole of unaccepted insecurity. This is specifically seen when Shakespeare introduces the audience to Macbeth through the Captain recounting Macbeth's battle story to Duncan: “Like valor’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave;(1.2.19-20)”. Macbeth uses extreme forms of killing such as stabbing from the navel to the jaw. Although this result of insecurity can provide positive things, such as battle victories, this coping method of acting valiantly can not fill his void of inner
Near the end of the play, Macbeth begins to forget the brave and valiant soldier he was as he tells Macduff that he will "not fight with thee" (Act5:8:22) when he is realises that Macduff was foretold to be the one to slay him. His own arrogance then comes into play as he says that he "will not yield" (Act5:8:27) because he refuses to become the laughingstock of the common people. This also shows the reversal
Macbeth stars the story as a honorable warrior, and general in the Scottish army. He fights for King Duncan and along side his best friend Banquo (another general). Shakespear shows MacBeth's character beautifully when he writes "Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements" (I.ii.22-23). This quote shows the type of character MacBeth starts out as, it shows MacBeth as a brave warrior fighting for King Duncan. MacBeth's character changes later in the story very drastically.
Word Count:697 Consequences of Choices While the motivating factor of people's choices are all different, their decision they make, is what determines the consequences. In the play 'Macbeth,' we see how Macbeth's poor decisions and lack of character leads to his tragic death. Because of Macbeth's decision to kill Duncan, his decision to assassinate Banquo, and his decision to visit the witches, the consequences of his actions lead to his death. Macbeth's decision to have Duncan killed, leads to consequences that cause his downfall.
When we are first presented with the character of Macbeth he is pictured as a noble and loyal warrior. However, once his future is presented to him by the witches saying that he, Macbeth, is to become the next great King of Scotland, he begins to lose focus and makes the wrong decisions. Macbeth begins to only make choices that will benefit only himself and to gain power. Becoming almost unrecognizable to the person he once was. After confronting his wife, Lady Macbeth, he isn't the only one with a lust for power.
William Shakespeare, playwright of Macbeth, shows the importance that power and corruption can hold on a person’s humanity. In order to prove the true effect of personal gains, he uses the main character, Macbeth, to show how evil people are willing to become. Personal power has the ability to be essential to greatness, but at the same time is able to destroy a person’s true nature. Believe it or not, Macbeth once was a man of honor. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth was loyal to King Duncan, a strong military leader, and a respected husband.
However, when she begins to tell Macbeth her ideas he attempts to be steadfast in his loyalty to King Duncan. Macbeth states that “We will proceed no further in this business:/he hath honoured me of late;” (1.7.507-508). Macbeth’s only issue with murdering King Duncan is that he just got honored by him and that would be rude. Again it does not take much time for Macbeth’s ambition to take control due to his wife stating how much more of a man he could be if he just went through with it. Despite these influences Macbeth is in control of his own actions.
Macbeths guilty conscience makes him unable to play the ‘true’ role of a villain of the play. Macbeth begins to see ‘false creations’ before murdering Duncan; the image of a floating dagger taunts Macbeth’s senses. Macbeth is devoured in his anxiety he starts to hallucinate the crime before going through with it. Macbeth is unable to dispose thoughts of his guilt and doubt, which prevents him from being stuck at the point where it is too late to turn back, yet the fear of his nature prevents him from turning completely into a ruthless coldblooded
This good side of Macbeth eventually deteriorates, however, as he fights for power and kingship by killing not only King Duncan, but many others. He ends up as a much hated king who is eventually killed. The character of Macbeth shifts from a favourable, loyal person to one that is destructive and consumed by power. This idea is analysed by Shakespeare by the way of his power in his marriage, how he involved himself with the witches, and how willing he was to do things. The first way that Macbeth’s change was shown in the play is how strong he was inside of his relationship with Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth believe and fall for the witches which made him think that no one can harm him. "I bear a charmed life, which must not yield and to one of woman born" (5.8.12-13). As Macbeth and Macduff are fighting each other, Macbeth tells him to leave, for he does not want the blood of another Macduff on his hands. Macduff refuses and charges at Macbeth. Macduff reveals that he was not woman of born, but from his mother's womb.
Soon the power of the knowledge fuels into the driven of proving he will be king as his pride is doubted by his own wife. Yet one nudge from Lady Macbeth on whether or not is was increases his ambition and fuels his pride to finally kill King Duncan. Macbeth’s character is now evolving into a man who will do anything, even harming others, just to get to his goal. This emotion takes a toll on him as it is now the wind that blew out what was once an innocent, courageous candle; leaving him alone with darkness. This affects the play as now of now those around him are no longer safe and the faith of the kingdom will soon experience
The film Macbeth illustrates Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to have very different personalities than their original counterpart of the play. Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a much more grieving mother. Her characteristics change and are more revealed during the killing of the Macduff family. Throughout the film Lady Macbeth is demonstrated as a much more emotional character, with her grieving over her child's death, to the breakdown during the terrifying burning of the Macduff family. The new characteristics of the character also again give a new feel to the storyline of the character.
Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane, and thou opposed, bring of no woman born, yet I will try the last" (V. viii. 27-30). When Macduff offers him a surrender, Macbeth denies and fights anyway with no hope left. This scene is incredibly depressing because it shows how far Macbeth has come from this knight sworn to protect his king to this power hungry monster willing to kill all in his way and finally to himself now, a sad, sad man with no one left because he either killed them or they killed themselves and now he is ready to accept the his reign is over, it is time to stop, but he will not die without one last battle. Shakespear includes symbolism hidden in the characters in the play Macbeth to deepen the meaning of just a story of a valiant soldier turned into