External Forces In Macbeth Essay

When external forces are ensued chaotic and malicious behavior occurs. This is evident in William Shakespeare play Macbeth, as the main character strives for a position that is higher than him. At the start, the witches take interest in Macbeth and Influence his fate which ultimately led to his downfall. Banquo while he was a friend of Macbeth, threatens Macbeth’s ill desires and ambitions. Lastly, Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth’s thoughts and actions regarding his ambitions. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, external forces drives one to become immoral and commit evil acts.

In Macbeth, Shakespeare conveys that external forces coerce one to become corrupt and commit obscene acts; this is demonstrated through the Witches. From the outset the witch’s

predictions have a significant effect on Macbeth. For instance when the Witches say, “All Hail, Macbeth: Hail to the thane of Glams” (I.III.49). And, “All hail, Macbeth that shalt be king here after!”(I.III.50). this prediction inevitably leaves a significant mark on Macbeth. For example when Banquo says “Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair? (I.III.55). It is clear that Macbeth finds certainty in the witch’s predictions, as he is deeply influenced by their words. Banquo’s comment seems to indicate that Macbeth is fearful upon hearing the Witches words, because they have so accurately reflected Macbeth’s deep dark desires- his ambition to be king. This foreshadows his fate as his fear is evident even after becoming the king. In addition the Witches words have been so ingrained into Macbeth, that he based his actions on them. For instance when the witches say, “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (IV.I.101). Macbeth takes the Witches at their word, and presumes that he is invincible which can be shown in this quote: “That will never be who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix this earth bound root? Sweet bodiments! Good! Wood of Birnam rise, and our high placed Macbeth shall live the lease of nature pay his breath To time and mortal custom” (IV.I.104).
It is clearly depicted that Macbeth at the most crucial moment in his time as a tyrannical king he seeks them out for guidance. Macbeth takes them at their word, which leads to his inflamed confidence as the witches tell him things that are naturally impossible. Macbeth then becomes blind to the dangerous outcome. Therefore Macbeth does not realize that he has been fooled by ambiguous language, and is easily influenced by the witch’s words. This reinforces that external forces that are thrusted may impulse one to committing a malevolent act.
Secondly, In Macbeth the theme that external forces drives one to become immoral and commit evil acts is demonstrates through Macbeths once close friend Banquo.

Banquo’s existence is a foil to Macbeth, even in death. For example when the witches say “Lesser than Macbeth and greater. Not so happy, yet happier. Thou shalt get king though thou be none” (I.III.68). And the quote: “There the grown serpent lies the worm that’s fled, Hath nature that in time venom will breed” (III.III. 34). It is clear that Banquo’s genuine loyalty and skepticism of the witches makes him the better opposite of Macbeth. Banquo is a devoted father, while Macbeth has none (no heirs), due to all of this he will pose as a threat to Macbeth- “Lesser than Macbeth and greater” the use of oxymoron on Macbeth. The use of personification- Banquo is the serpent- the worm that escapes, his son, he will be the father of kings though not himself, just like the witches predicted. In addition Banquo is a threat to Macbeth in death. For instance when Macbeth witnesses Banquo’s ghost: “Avant, and quit my sight!... Thou dost glare with” (III.IV.113; 117). And the quote: “It will have blood! They say blood will have blood. Stores…The secret’st man of blood!”(III.IV.151; 155). It is clear that Macbeth is stricken with fear and guilt when facing Banquo’s ghost. He is expressing his internal guilt (for the first time) and causes an inner turmoil within him. Banquo almost appears to be a manifestation of this turmoil, and

in that case Banquo still instill fear (influences) upon Macbeth. The ghost reveals hidden paranoia “It will have blood: they say blood will have blood”. In this sense Banquo is practically a vengeful as from this point on Macbeth could no longer sleep. Therefore Banquo’s mere existence- his persona and behaviour influenced Macbeth to the point of disrupting his sedated behavior, causing his downfall.
Finally, in Macbeth the reoccurrence of external forces compelling one to perpetrate evil acts is demonstrated by his own wife, Lady Macbeth.

She is by far the most influencing character on Macbeth. For example when she says “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here…make thick my blood…the effect and it!”(I.II.33; 43). Here it is clear that Lady Macbeth is ruthless and will try to do anything to make sure Macbeth becomes king. She conceives the entire plan before Macbeth himself could grasp at what to do with his dark desires. She goes so far to influence Macbeth into killing the king that she doubles the assurances by ‘unsexing’ herself. In addition, Lady Macbeth’s influence over her husband is very potent. For example when she says, “When you durst do it, then you were a man: (I.VII.54). And the quote: …Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums that dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you Have done to this” (I.VII.60). To begin, Lady Macbeth calls into question Macbeths manhood. This form of manipulation had succeeded and wounded his ego. It drove him to the point of constantly wanting to prove his manliness. However like the manipulative woman she is, Lady Macbeth turned to guilt in order to push him to actually act. This made clear to Macbeth that Lady Macbeth has stronger (more courageous) feelings towards the plan, and as a result affected his decision into killing Duncan. His wife appeared more devoted than himself. Therefore Lady Macbeth Is

a manipulative mastermind, and her external force influenced Macbeth into committing a crime.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare illustrates that external forces compel on to become malicious and commit wicked acts. This is portrayed through the characters the Witches, Banquo and Lady Macbeth. At the beginning, the witches used influencing words to stir Macbeth’s dark desires, and even influence his actions. Banquo’s unnecessary knowledge of the Witches and his loyalty that triumphs Macbeths threatened him, even in death. Lastly, Lady Macbeth a skillful manipulator coerced Macbeth to the point that she hatched a plan before Macbeth could even think of it, and questioned his manhood. Peoples desires in the same form influenced by and unnatural force, it’s what drives them to their actions. However when these external forces are damaging it drags one into committing an immoral act.