Examples Of Character Behavior In Macbeth

When a person desires something which dangles in front of them, the person will stop at nothing to gain that desired object. People; naturally selfish, ignore societal standards of right and wrong when trying to achieve a goal and obtain a desired object. In the Elizabethan play The Tragedy of Macbeth, William Shakespeare expresses through character behavior when a desirable object tempts someone, they become blind to the consequences of their actions. People stop paying attention to rules and regulations when it comes to pursuing a personal desire. Once the character Macbeth hears the words “that shalt be king” after hearing the confirmed statement “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” (I. iii. 52-53). Shakespeare’s character of Macbeth hears the prediction of him becoming Thane of Cawdor and when it comes true he believes the other prediction of him becoming king. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is comparable to a child on the night before Christmas who cannot wait till morning so the child opens the presents which is against the parents’ rules. Shakespeare eludes to the fact that humans do not learn and still follow their desires without a care for the consequences.

Shakespeare writes how Macbeth ponders the consequences of killing the king: “If we should fail-” (I. vii. 68). Shakespeare includes Macbeth’s concern for the consequences of killing the king but Shakespeare also includes how quickly Lady Macbeth persuades him to not think about what could happen if they failed but to focus on the future where Macbeth rules for the reason to show Macbeth knows the consequences but does not think about them. Shakespeare also never includes another moment where Macbeth ponders consequences, Shakespeare then emphasis how quickly Macbeth makes future