Jean Jacques Rousseau Influence On Macbeth

In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the actions of Macbeth support the political theory of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s because during the beginning of the play we, the reader see Macbeth transform from the protagonist to the antagonist.

In the start of the play we meet Macbeth who is described as brave and honorable.. Three witches tell Macbeth that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and king of Scotland he doubts this but happens to become Thane of Cawdor for fighting for his country, after he becomes Thane of Cawdor he tells his wife Lady Macbeth who is thrilled by this surprising news. King Duncan announces that he will give his crown to his oldest son, Malcolm. This causes Macbeth to contemplate whether to murder his beloveded king or let Malcolm become king. At one point we see Macbeth decide not to kill Duncan stating that if

By the middle of the play we, the reader see Macbeth change by having poor behavioral control over his actions. Macbeth’s goals are focused on eliminating any potential threat to his crown which includes hiring murder to kill his former friend Banquo and his son. The loss of his innocence was destroyed therefore he loses part of this humanity, remorse.

“I have almost forgot the taste of fears. The time has been my senses would have cooled To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir As life were in’t. I have supped full with horrors. Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, Cannot once start me” (5.5, 11-17).

Here, Macbeth states that he hears a woman cry but does not feel bothered. He almost forgot the feeling of fear, his mind is slaughtered with violence that causes him not to feel scared. This is a contrast from Macbeth from act 1-2. Earlier in the play Macbeth is described by his wife as “ It is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness” (1.5, 16-17). She believes that Macbeth is too nice to be aggressive towards