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The development in macbeth
The development of Macbeth’s character
The development of Macbeth’s character
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What good news I have to tell you. The best of times is to come! Banquo and I crossed paths with three vaguely human looking creatures who were dressed in long and loose black robes. Their faces only had few distinct human qualities. These three women, with their hunched backs and unsettling aura had wondrous things to say, despite their hideous appearance. My fair wife, the three beings foretold my future, as well as Banquo’s. I am honoured to inform you that they have promised me three great things that you will surely love. The title of Thane of Glamis was the first prophecy they had bestowed upon me, which I have already received due to the death of Sinel. Secondly, they had mentioned that I would become the Thane of Cawdor. What I find will bring you the most joy is the final prophecy they have established for us; I am to be the next King of Scotland and you, my queen. …show more content…
And I do believe them to be true as the most incredible event took place shortly as they disappeared. The Thane of Ross had located myself and Banquo to deliver the message that the previous Thane of Cawdor has been slain for treason, and that I have been awarded the honour. My dear lady, what joy comes to me to write you this letter. However, there are a few worries that accompany our bright future. To Banquo, the creatures foretold that his son would be the future King of Scotland. Unlike myself, Banquo was quite skeptical of these three creatures. He mentioned the thought that they only said those things to lure us into a foul situation. What I do not understand is that how can something seem so admirable but in reality be dreadful. That is also the least of my concern as if Banquo’s prophecy were to come true as one of mine has already, that would simply mean that the position of King is fruitless, as our bloodline will not
The second prophecy is that he will become the king in the future. The third was that Banquo’s sons will also become kings in the future (Banquo is a good friend of Macbeth). Macbeth took his future into his own hands. Lady Macbeth was the one who encouraged and persuaded Macbeth into the horrible circumstances. Guilt plays a role in the couple differently on certain occasions.
Both Banquo and Macbeth are introduced as loyal captains in the king`s army, but as the play progresses, Macbeth is overcome with the desire of power due to his reception of the prophecies. Upon hearing, Banquo does not become greedy for power, but, alternatively, he is suspect and cautious begins wondering if “we [Macbeth and Banquo] eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?” (1.3). Realizing the witches were simply trying to make him ambitious, Banquo remains loyal to his king and his country, despite knowing that he will have a dynasty to rule Scotland. Despite having the motivation, Banquo does not commit treason against his king but rather wants to “keep my [his] bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear” (2.1), meaning that he has no desire to betray the king for personal gain. Conversely, upon hearing the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth becomes ambitious for power and follows them blindly. He is curious about the witches’ prophecies and demands they “stay… [and] tell me [him] more” (1.3). When he hears that the prophecy that his heirs will rule Scotland he will be king, Macbeth`s ambition is born and his thoughts instantly turn to murder, even though the witches had not mentioned murdering King Duncan which shows that Macbeth has previously thought about murdering his king. As a result, Macbeth has no loyalty to neither his king nor his country and commits treason. While both Banquo and Macbeth hear the witches` prophecies that promised power, only Macbeth conceded to their prophecy and became overcame with ambition. Macbeth is a direct antithesis to the honorable, dependent Banquo. He transforms into a greedy man who is obsessed with his
“To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings!" This of course arouses suspicions in the realm, but it spirals out of hand as Macbeth had gone crazy from the guilt of murder as had Lady Macbeth.
After telling Macbeth that he will be king, they tell Banquo that his sons will be king. Macbeth remembers that fact, and acts upon it later. The witches vanish after giving their news of the future. The king's lords, Ross and Angus, come to tell Macbeth some great news. He will receive the title, Thane of Cawdor.
Before Duncan had the time to reach Macbeth with the good news, the three witches approach him and Banquo. The greet Macbeth with three different titles: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King Hereafter, but this confuses Macbeth. Not only do the witches tell Macbeth his future, they also tell Banquo that although he will never be King, his children will be… and then they vanish once again.
They tell Banquo that he will not be king himself but he will have his descendants as kings:
Later in the play Banquo starts to have a bad feeling about Macbeth. "Thou hast it now: King, Cowdor, Glamis, all,/ as the weird women promised, and I fear/ thou play'dst most foully for `t." III i 1-3, this is a quote from Banquo explaining how he feels about Macbeth's predictions coming true. Macbeth realizes this about Banquo and he starts to have feelings about killing Banquo. This isn't the only reason he feels this way, the witches had also made predictions for Banquo. "Thou shall get kings, though thou be none." I iii 67, Macbeth doesn't want any of Banquo's family to rule Scotland; he wants his own family to continue to rule. Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his on Fleance. The murderers end up killing Banquo, but Fleance gets away.
These lines from the very beginning of the play between the three witches, Macbeth and Banquo are displaying the witches’ first evil idea to intentionally confuse Macbeth. The witches tell Macbeth some things that are true like the fact that he indeed is Thane of Glamis, but include some information that is not yet true. The witches digress to tell him he is also the...
In the near future Macbeth became the Thane of Cawdor because of his valiant efforts in the war. Macbeth started to think about the witches proheciesand started to become a little ambitious. With the constant nagging and mockery of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth decides to go through with the murder of Duncan. Thus, another one of the witches prophecies was fulfilled.
Macbeth was the Thane of Glamis. The second prophecy stated, “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” This prophecy, in fact, came true after his defeat over the King of Scotland. This of course caused Macbeth the want more.
Here, Macbeth realizes that if something is not done to Banquo, his sons will become Kings. Macbeth can not have this. He had already worried that his soul will go to hell for what he had done. His fear become evident in this scene also, "But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo Stick deep;" [Act III, S I, L 53-54] Macbeth has Banquo murdered,
Banquo and Macbeth eventually arrive, and talk to the witches. They question them, wondering what they are, and despite getting a straightforward answer they tell Macbeth of his future. The witches tell Macbeth that he is to eventually become the Thane of Cawdor, and in due course become king. Astonished by these tellings, Banquo asks the witches about his future, and he is told that his sons will eventually become king. As any man would be, Macbeth and his partner question these seemingly unofficial prophecy, until Angus and Ross come into scene. They tell Macbeth that he has indeed become the new Thane of Cawdor, which settles Macbeth’s suspicions on whether or not these foretelling’s are true although Banquo remains suspicious, since the witches were not completely
The witches give Macbeth two prophecies: Macbeth shall be first Thane of Cawdor and then King. In the mean time, Banquo was given the prophecy that his children shall be future kings. Macbeth and Banquo's relationship starts out strong at first, but their friendship fails as power comes into effect. In Act one, Macbeth and Banquo converse over the prophecies the three Weird Sisters have granted them. Macbeth tells Banquo, "Your children shall be kings (1: 3: 89)....
After they hear the prophecies told to them by the evil sisters, Banquo starts to worry about Macbeth and his ambitions to become king. Macbeth is thinking that he may become king without doing anything else, and Banquo thinks Macbeth does not deserve to be thane of Cawdor. At this point, the two friends start growing farther from each other because they do not trust one another. Banquo starts to fear Macbeth because he knows if his prophecy is true than he is a threat to Macbeth's throne. Macbeth realizes he must get rid of Banquo to secure his spot on the throne and make sure his sons will not take his place.
However, this experience is not one that gives him courage or ambition but one that gives him fear, enough to make a man go mad. At the party, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost which he describes as “a bold one that dare look on that which might appall the devil” (III.vi.63). He begins to act like a madman in front of all those loyal to him and reveals that Banquo is dead. Despite Lady Macbeth’s attempt to cover up his act by blaming it on a childhood illness, Macbeth’s followers begin to lose question their king, lose trust in him, and even wonder if he is the one who murdered Duncan. After the banquet, Macbeth seeks the witches out of their cave so that he can learn more about his future and silence those who are plotting against him despite what the consequences may be. This reveals that Macbeth has completely fallen for the witches prophecy. There, he sees a line of eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost. The last king holds a mirror to reflect a never-ending line of kings descended from Banquo. When he sees this, he exclaims“ thou art look like the spirits of Banquo: down!” (IV.i.123). This vision confirms that Banquo’s descendants inherit the throne and contributes to Macbeth’s anxiety, fear and to his further loss of control. He becomes even more insecure about his position as king and can no longer make his decisions