Causes of Macbeth's Personality Change in The Tragedy of Macbeth

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Individuals continually deal with general events that affect their personalities. This can either strengthen an individual’s character or lead to one’s demise. William Shakespeare acknowledges these human experiences in The Tragedy of Macbeth with his focus on the protagonist, Macbeth. Fixating his focus on Macbeth, Shakespeare thoroughly portrays the protagonist as a frail human, easily influenced by his environment and personal relationships. Although Macbeth’s decisions determine his plight, he finds himself transgressing when he believes his prophesized throne is in danger. By eliminating what he perceives as threats, he sacrifices his honor, his friendship with Banquo, his wife, and his sanity, resulting in a personality change.
Macbeth, as a nobleman of King Duncan, upholds the moral code of honor. Possessing the characteristics of a nobleman, he has integrity, honor, and righteousness. At one point, he tells Lady Macbeth, “We will proceed no further in this business: / He [King Duncan] hath honored me of late, and I have bought / Golden opinions from all sorts of people.” (I:vii, 31-33). His expression of “Golden opinions” (I:vii, 33) suggests a reflection of his character. By acknowledging the respect he receives, he responds with a noble approach. However, he falls into temptation when Lady Macbeth verbally emasculates him. She does this by stating, “When you durst do it, then you were a man; / And to be more than what you were, you would / Be so much more the man.” (I:vii, 49-51). She challenges his manhood, stating if he were to commit this act, he would be a man. By appealing to the idea of supremacy, she lures Macbeth into believing only real men possess dominance and power. Her ambition for power driv...

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...t of his loyal subjects. His realization causes him to respond, “Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; / I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing / To those that know me. Come, love and health to all!” (III:iv, 86-88). By reacting fast, his crowd can see he is not in the right mind at that time. His sin brings about guilt and shame upon him. This causes him to see supernatural elements only visible to his eyes.
Macbeth brings about his own destruction when murdering King Duncan. By taking action every time his throne seems to be in danger, he digs himself into deeper trouble. He carves his own path with his ambition for power, forcing him to sacrifice his honor, his friendship with Banquo, his wife, and his sanity. These factors eventually lead to a dramatic change in his personality, causing him to sacrifice who he is for the mere satisfaction of power.

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