The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play
Modern day society defines tragedy as life’s bitterness and defeat. In
the time of Macbeth, tragedy involves a great man from fortunate
success falling to utter defeat, a state of chaos, and eventual death.
The horrific tragedy of Macbeth captures the audience as they feel
pity, sympathy, horror and fear. The supernatural is showcased and
deaths are shown throughout the play. Macbeth is a man with one goal;
to become king. His evil nature is shown to the audience and the
tension increases. This tension is used to gain sympathy from the
audience. His bloody downfall not only relieves the audience of its
tension, but the tragic hero from his burden. However, who was
responsible for Macbeth’s death? Could his power hungry wife have
pushed him to his demise? Macbeths’ downfall was a direct result his
character flaws. These hamartias are his greed for power, his ambition
and his thirst for killing.
Macbeths need to be all powerful was a direct cause of his death. At
the beginning of the play, the third witch says ‘All hail, Macbeth!
that shalt be king hereafter’ (Act I. Scene iii line 49). This had
intrigued Macbeth. At this part in the play, he has reached a great
point in his life as the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is now in touch with
both the supernatural and the evil, and though still skeptical, he
wants to become king at all costs. Though dressed ‘In borrow’d robes’
(Macbeth, Act I. Scene iii line 108) he easily adjusted to the roll.
His need to become more in life leads to his killing of the king. Like
a pack of ravaging dogs, Macbeth finishes off the King of Scotland
even th...
... middle of paper ...
..., Act V. Scene ii lines 3-4). After all, ‘thou’lt be
afraid to …’(Macbeth, Act V. Scene vii line 5) hear his name, though
his downfall comes from his display of over ambition.
The tragic Shakespearean hero Macbeth had many tragic flaws that led
to the downward spiral into evil. Those character defects are his
greed for power, his ambition, and his desire to kill. The great
tragedy of Macbeth’s downfall will be relived for generations to come.
This dark symphony of fear will be read and as Shakespeare manages to
capture the passion and emotion onto a page of words, it affects us as
people for the rest of our lives. Lessons learnt from Macbeth may
carry with us for years to come. As Shakespeare portrays the many
faces of evil, the audience is left with a lasting impression of a
most famous piece of literature and art.
Macbeth's Actions in William Shakespeare's Macbeth As soon as we start to read the play, we learn that Macbeth has earned. himself an honourable reputation, and is described by King Duncan as a valiant cousin. Worthy gentleman. His loyalty and bravery are portrayed through his defeat of the Norwegian army and Scottish rebels, and he returns from battle, a gallant and reputable soldier. The extent of his courage is shown as he is interminably praised by his noblemen, has become a hero of Scotland, and the thane of Cawdor.
How people interact with others is largely influenced by how they perceive the world. In The Tragedy of Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, characters’ thoughts and impressions are clearly demonstrated to have major impacts on their actions. The behavior and words of others motivate characters to act. Emotions play a strong role in creating the conflicts and Macbeth and the way they unfold. Some views are supported by reality while others are the products of emotion and faulty logic. A lot of the perceptions possessed by Macbeth are affected by the supernatural. Macbeth’s actions are a result of the heavy influence the witches have over him:
opinions in Act 1, Scene 2. The aim of this is to build the suspense
The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ is a play about murder and tragedy. When we first meet Lady Macbeth’s husband, Macbeth, we see him as a loyal and honourable man, however as we read further into the play his character changes. Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth: “False face must hide what the false heart doth know. ”
frustration in act 5 scene 5 when he says "I 'gin to be aweary of the
Laurence Sterne once wrote, “No body, but he who has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man’s mind torn asunder by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time.” This passage embodies one of the over arching themes of Macbeth. The character Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, could easily identify with this passage due to the fact that he is pulled in opposite directions by both his desire to do what is right and his desire for power.
us to believe that Macbeth is in no way a traitor and that he is brave
In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth is a classic example of a tragic hero who is constantly struggling with his fate. In the opening scene of the play Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches. They proclaim that he will be the thane of Cawdor. He responds by saying, “By Sinel’s death I know that I am thane of Glamis/ but how of Cawdor”(I, iii, 70-73)? At first, he does not realize to earn this title what he must do, but when he realizes he is taken aback. His bewilderment prefigures his perpetual struggle with his fate. Macbeth also is excessively ambitious which constantly affects him throughout the play. He is too determined to become king and will kill anyone to ensure that this will transpire. Macbeth’s struggle and ambition make him the quintessence of tragic hero.
“What goes around comes around.” The decision of the execution of the King Duncan was beyond the concept of being egoistical. The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences. Macbeth, every dreadful deed you take as an action and claim you have committed a wrongdoing; you excavate your own grave. Since, you commit the murder of King Duncan, how do you believe that fortune will come your way. The three Weird witches and your own love, Lady Macbeth are the key players in this game of guilt. Abundantly, Lady Macbeth is the true top dog pulling the strings, you are the puppet, and while she is the puppet master, you’re just a squirrel trying to get a nut in her world. No virtuous outcome comes out a misdeed. You have to conquer her mindset, and be grateful for what you have now. You should not be able to give your own decisions to someone else.
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the history of English literature as well as the world’s paramount playwright. Possibly the most superlative writing attribute he possessed was his unmatched ability of characterization. Shakespeare created unique, opaque, and eminent characters who related to almost everyone. When one thinks of these famous characters, Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth comes into consideration. Macbeth is possibly Shakespearian Theatre’s densest and most disturbed character, and this prestigious title can be credited to his obvious psychological problems. The troubled mind of Macbeth can be related to several modern day psychological problems.
Duncan is the most unlikely character to be killed because of his personality, but his title as King of Scotland, causes for Macbeth to loathe Duncan. In the play there is very little interaction between Macbeth and Duncan, showing the little time in which Macbeth gets more power. Prior to the witches’ prophecies Macbeth is loyal to Duncan, and would never imagine killing him. After the one of the witches’ prophecies comes to be true, the thought of killing Duncan, Macbeth "yield[s] to that suggestion / whose horrid image doth unfix my hair / and make my seated heart knock at my ribs" (1.3.146-148). Partly because of Lady Macbeth’s suggestion his "vaulting ambition" is starting to take over, and he begins to take into consideration killing Duncan, to become king. Macbeth however, does not feel comfortable in killing Macbeth, giving himself reasons why not to kill Duncan: “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself,” (I, vii, 13-16) Lady Macbeth, convinces Macbeth, that killing Duncan is the right thing to do until right before he performs the murder. We learn from this murder that Macbeth truly had faith in the king and was very loyal, but knowing that one day he would become king, his ambition and the persuasion of Lady Macbeth, causes him to perform the act, that he will regret. This murder changes Macbeth as a person, however, and he soon feels little regret for killing King Duncan, but this act will soon aid in his downfall.
Tragic heroes, who destined for a serious downfall, are the protagonist of a dramatic tragedy. A tragic hero is usually a great hero, who gets the most respect from other people; on the other hand, a tragic hero can also lose everything he gained because of his mistakes. His downfall is the result of a wrong judgment, a flaw which might combined with fated and external forces. The downfall can cause the tragic hero to suffer for the rest of his life. In many literary works, the downfall of the tragic heroes usually happen in their highest point. In the same way, Macbeth is a tragic hero in the play called “The Tragedy of Macbeth” which is written by a legendary writer, William Shakespeares. Macbeth is a great general who gained many respect from the people and even the king. In the highest point of his life, because of seeking for greater power, it created Macbeth’s downfall. Macbeth, a tragic hero, causes suffering for himself and others by committing murders and creating distress, which are the negative effects of seeking for a greater power.
Soon after he achieves the title Thane of Cawdor as predicted by the three witches; whom drive Macbeth’s ambition to murder King Duncan- due to the fulfilment of the witches’ first prophecy, Macbeth is foolish enough to commit to treason and murder King Duncan. The first change of Macbeth’s personality happens during Act II, Scene 2, where he starts to become overwhelmed with ambition and self-doubt; "To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself" (II.ii)
Macbeth as a Tragic Hero in Shakespeare's Macbeth. When William Shakespeare created "Macbeth" he included in the title character all the key elements of a tragic hero. Macbeth has a decline from his good standing, reaches a lowest point and soon after turns himself around, the epiphany, and finally rises in his morals and standing; however it is too late and his death is apparent. Macbeth's decline begins when he heeds the witches prophecies.
The character of Lady Macbeth is a complex one, there is much that can be said regarding the juxtaposition of ideas concerning her behavior. Within this essay I shall attempt to elaborate on her forceful, selfish and contradictory character.