The Change of Macbeth's Character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

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The Change of Macbeth's Character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses a lot of dramatic devices in order for the audience to see Macbeth's descent into evil. There are many different influences on Macbeth throughout the play. There is his wife, Lady Macbeth, The Witches and their prophecies, his own fear and insecurities as well as his own ambitious drive. These are the factors I will explore in my essay. The first impression we get of Macbeth is given by the Sergeant in Act 1 Scene 2. He is portrayed as a 'brave' and 'worthy' gentleman. 'O Valiant cousin, worthy gentleman' Act 1 Scene 2 Line 24 This shows that the King himself thinks very highly of Macbeth. Despite his value to the King, Macbeth yearns to be more than just a warrior. In Act 1 Scene 3 Macbeth is greeted by three weird sisters who name him Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter. Their prediction strikes an idea in his head. 'To be King / Stands not within the prospect of belief' Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 71 - 72 His eagerness to believe the witches shows that he is ambitious to be more than what he is and that it is not the first time this thought has crossed his mind. Macbeth's loyal and trustworthy friend Banquo is more suspicious of the Witches and warns him that they will only lead to bad things. 'Things that do sound so fair' Act 1 Scene 5 Line 50 This means Banquo has the ability to see the Witches for what they are, which is contrasted by Macbeth's clouded thoughts caused by his ambition. Shakespeare makes a reference to clothing in Act 1 Scene 3, where Banquo says to Macbeth that he is 'rapt'. T... ... middle of paper ... ...wn ambition and the echoing sound of the Witches prophecy's, Macbeth goes through a journey from good to evil. It's hard to point out one direct cause of Macbeth's downfall, If he had never of met the Witches his ambition may have not have been boosted to such a point where he would kill or his wife wouldn't have got the idea to kill Duncan. However it is hard to say whether his wife would have thought of Macbeth being King even without the Witches. I think that if Macbeth had not mentioned the Witches to his wife, he would have thought about killing Duncan for a bit, then, due to his good nature, decide that he couldn't, and get on with his life. This makes his wife a very strong key factor to his downfall, but not a single reason. It seems he just got caught in a fast flow of events that he could not control.

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