Macbeth’s impatience for power leads to drastic actions. He murders the king in the belief that “this blow might be the be-all and end-all” (1.7.5). This assassination could never “trammel up the consequence” (1.7.2-3), as Macbeth believes, but only leads to more trouble. Although Macbeth seizes the throne, Macbeth had to betray his loyalty to the king whose “virtues will plead like angels” (1.7.18-19), and his morality has paid the price. Macbeth has now lost all sense of what honor is by using such dishonest ways to become king.
The fact that Macbeth believes the witches’ prophecies are not evil nor good foreshadows how he will go on to kill any other person standing in his way to more power. His ambition blinds his mind to make him even think about ruthlessly committing a murder. This forceful way of gaining power will only lead Macbeth to become a “tyrant” in Scotland and his “fantastical” desires of killing Duncan and receiving the crown will lead Scotland to failure. Under Macbeth’s rule, Scotland seems to be in a terrible condition. With distrust among the people, there is tension all within the country, as Macbeth’s totalitarian regime had rendered the prosperity of Scotland.
But yet i’ll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live; That I may tell pale-’hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder.” (IV, i, 82-86). It was clear to see that Macbeth’s life throughout the play was a constant struggle for power. Since the beginning, when Duncan was first invited to Macbeth’s home, there was always ambition; and as the play went on the ambition only grew until it became his downfall.
Macbeth clearly distinguished himself as a great warrior, but his battlefield heroics did not carry over into heroic behavior off the battlefield. It is ironic that he, who had defended Duncan from traitors colluding with Irish and Norwegian armies, himself harbored traitorous thoughts. As he was contemplating assassinating Duncan, Macbeth was having trouble in justifying what he was about to do. “I am his kinsman and his subject, / Strong both against the
The overcast skies forewarned of the storm to come. The grey clouds rumbled treason and the wild wolves howled their distress. Rough winds wreaked havoc on the brittle branches of the oak trees in Birnam Wood, but not even this could compare to the turmoil in the new queen’s mind. In her chambers, Lady Macbeth’s frantic, bloodshot eyes darted across the shadowed room like a wild animal.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth go into the dinner they are bout to have. When Macbeth walks in, the first murderer comes to the door. Macbeth talks to him about Banquo’s death and that Fleance had escaped, this makes him very angry. After he talks to the murder he goes back to his dinner and when Macbeth goes to sit at the end of the table, he sees Banquo’s ghost sitting in his chair. Macbeth gets very scared seeing the blood running down his face, he speaks to him. The problem is Banquo is invisible to everyone else. Lady Macbeth says that he sees things and that they should just ignore him. She asks Macbeth what the matter is and asks him to snap out of it. Banquo’s ghost vanishes, and Macbeth tells his company not to worry. He is about to toast
Even if Macbeth is stuck on the end of Malcolm’s sword, worse evil will be placed upon Scotland than before. During this moment in the play Malcolm and Macduff are trying to gather troops to go to kill Macbeth. Killing Macbeth will stop more blood being shed and may cure the “gashes” of Scotland. Macbeth's concupiscence which originates from his guilt, represented by blood, causes him to destroy his own life and crumble the nation of scotland along with
This quote only further emphasizes the fact that Macbeth’s name has turned from one of bravery, as shown by the Sergent (I. ii), to one of disgrace and has been condemned. Macbeth’s ambition to become king and remain king has destroyed his reputation and name, resulting with the military coup led by
The comparison of the version of the earlier Macbeth to the now murderous Macbeth is gut wrenching. A reader is really able to see and understand the consequences of going against one’s own moral compass through the reactions that Macbeth has to each of his own
This written task is based upon the play Macbeth. Though readers identify the titular character of Willian Shakespeare’s Macbeth, another character stands out as a much greater protagonist. While Macbeth is driven towards madness and into committing atrocities as to fulfill his ambitions to the throne, Macduff lacks such a flaw and endures an uncorrupted and loyal behavior throughout the play. As Macbeth strives to gain power and accomplishes his purposes at the expense of King Duncan’s life, Macduff meanwhile endures great personal loss in his attempts to cease Macbeth’s despotic behavior and restore justice and freedom to Scotland.
The ghost of Banquo’s soliloquy to himself after he gains knowledge of who has sent for him to be killed and what it truly means to be evil and how fair is foul and foul is fair. What knowledge has Banquo gained during his short time as a ghost?
These provocative predictions were the prophecies that the witches told, the murder of Duncan, Banquo and Macduff’s entire family. Once being a good man that simply committed evils, he evolved into the figure we associate his name with today as a bloody tale of a tyrant. As a play that has survived through the ages, Macbeth teaches the lesson of not fulfilling ambition through heinous means and that even a good and just man can succumb to his
Those suspicious of Macbeth saw through the web of chaos and deceit. Macduff, out of vengeance for his family, slaughtered by Macbeth’s orders, slayed the betrayer [Macbeth] and restored order, by bringing back the rightful king,
Macbeth - Discovery beyond the script - Individual critical response Anneli Tan Banquo is equally important to the play dead as he is alive. Discuss. Banquo is a brave, noble and loyal general, who fights beside his fellow general, Macbeth, to protect his King, Duncan, and his people. He is a man who keeps his promise and does not betray trust given to him. His close relationship with Macbeth and King Duncan and his encounter with the three witches prove to be important in the course of the play and gives us insight on how he is important dead as he is alive.
“Macbeth”, a tragedy by William Shakespeare illustrates the devastation toward one's character as a result of use of ambition without the presence of morality. The effective use of Scotland's heath, immense castles, and bleak weather conditions in the story, serve to deliver a somber tone and sinister atmosphere to the reader. The setting is a necessary element in the story that symbolizes a secure environment that sharply contrasts with an environment that is insecure. Through the character of Macbeth, the reader is introduced to a man who at first is not characteristically driven to perform malicious actions, but in the end gives up his moral values for his desire. Shakespeare effectively uses Macbeth and his emotionally weak character in