Flaws in the Characters of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

929 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Macbeth as a tragic character

Anyone who is not a god, is not perfect. Everyone has a weakness or a flaw. Some flaws are more deadly than others.
Some are addicted to heroin while others are unable to remember where they put their keys. Every major flaw in this story though, comes back to haunt them. The reason why anybody fails in this story is because of their “flaw”. Not everyone dies though, that is because their flaw is not fatal. Following will be an explanation of how the major flaws of the characters lead to their downfall.
Macbeth will be the first one discussed, since he was the main character. The play’s problems start when he kills Duncan.
This is done because he has a flaw; he is too determined. He doesn’t let anything in his way of the goal, to be king, proven here: The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be

2 which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.(Act I, Scene vii, lines 1-28)
If he had not been so determined to be king, then Duncan would never have had to die. Consequently, if Macbeth had not killed
Duncan, this story would not have any murders in it at all.
Macbeth is driven by greed and violence proven by William
Hazlitt:
Macbeth himself appears driven along by the violence of his fate like a vessel drifting before a storm: he reels to and fro like a drunken man; he staggers under the weight of his own purposes and the suggestions of others; he stands at bay with his situation; and from the superstitious awe and breathless suspense into which the communications of the Weird Sisters throw him, is hurried on with daring impatience to verify their predictions, and with impious and bloody hand to tear aside the veil which hides the uncertainty of the future.
(Hazlitt, pg. 28)
3
Macbeth’s fate was more deserving than any others since he killed so many people; Duncan, Banquo, and MacDuff’s family. Macbeth never did feel sorry for what he did until his deeds came back to haunt him. If Macbeth would have been patient and had waited, then he probably would have become king and enjoyed it.

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth Blind Ambition Analysis

    1580 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth continuously makes bad choices and the consequences of these decisions catch up to Macbeth and result in his mental deterioration, however with Macbeth’s almost infant feel for ambition this makes him susceptible to manipulation, which then grows into an insatiable appetite for power. The acts of this, with the manipulation from outsiders, causes his blind ambition, his false sense of security and then finally his guilt, which all contribute to his derangement. Some will argue that all the choices made by Macbeth were continuously his own, that he had these opportunities as a man to put his foot down and say no, and be able to draw the line where things should come to an end, the fault of a mental deterioration was not there, that from the beginning Macbeth was an evil man who had a twisted way of achieving things. Macbeth’s ambition is to remain king for as long as possible, and he will kill anybody who stops this from happening. Macbeth feels as if he was given a childless rule, and that his legacy will not continue on in fear his rule will be taken away by someone outside his family.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: The Pros And Cons Of Euthanasia

    1907 Words  | 4 Pages

    Anyone can be diagnosed with a terminal illness. It doesn’t matter how healthy you are, who you are, or what you do. Some terminal illnesses you can prevent by avoiding unhealthy habits, eating healthily, exercising regularly and keeping up with vaccinations. However some terminally ill people cannot be helped, their diseases cannot be cured and the only thing possible to help them, besides providing pain relieving medication, is to make them as comfortable as possible while enduring their condition. Many times the pharmaceuticals do not provide the desired pain escape, and cause patients to seek immediate relief in methods such as euthanasia. Euthanasia is the practice of deliberately ending a life in order to alleviate pain and suffering, but is deemed controversial because many various religions believe that their creators are the only ones that should decide when their life’s journey should reach its end. Euthanasia is performed by medical doctors or physicians and is the administration of a fatal dose of a suitable drug to the patient on his or her express request. Although the majority of American states oppose euthanasia, the practice would result in more good as opposed to harm. The patient who is receiving the euthanizing medication would be able to proactively choose their pursuit of happiness, alleviate themselves from all of the built up pain and suffering, relieve the burden they may feel they are upon their family, and die with dignity, which is the most ethical option for vegetative state and terminally ill patients. Euthanasia should remain an alternative to living a slow and painful life for those who are terminally ill, in a vegetative state or would like to end their life with dignity. In addition, t...

    Read More

  • Being A Veterinarian Research Paper

    569 Words  | 2 Pages

    For as long as I can remember, my childhood dream has always been wanting to become a veterinarian. While other kids were outside having fun at the playground, I was at the library reading books and learning about the different animals. However, as I matured, I realized that being a veterinarian isn’t just about caring for and assisting injured animals. Being a veterinarian means having the ability to make quick decisions in stressful situations, showing complete dedication and passion to this profession, and being able to effectively communicate to pet owners.

    Read More

  • The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play

    1470 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: The Pros And Cons Of Euthanasia

    1254 Words  | 3 Pages

    Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering of any individual from an incurable disease. People who are against euthanasia believe that any individual suffering from an incurable disease should not be given the ability to end their suffering. According to Sherif Emil, “Legalizing euthanasia can become a slippery slope” (Emil). In other word, euthanasia will open the doors to those that will mistreat it and will cause a great amount of increase in deaths. But many for euthanasia would certainly take issue with the argument that it will not be a slippery slope but, that it will give the right to end the life of a terminal ill patient who is going to die a painful death.

    Read More

  • Benefits Of Becoming A Veterinary Technician

    601 Words  | 2 Pages

    You will usually need to attend at least two years at college before you can pass the examinations you need to secure a job as a vet tech. This will usually depend on ...

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay Against Euthanasia

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    Once people decide to end their lives they give up. They give up on fighting for themselves and others that love them. At times they may not even be in the right state of mind when they make these decisions. When people know that they have a terminal illness they tend to go through depression. They think that they have nothing else to live for, but it is just a stage that they are going through. There are certain factors that are dangerous and lead people to end their lives. There are people that want euthanasia to be legalized but they do not understand the consequences that come with that legalization. Once euthanasia is legalized vulnerable patients could be talked into suicide and doctors could take that decision for them. Euthanasia should not be an easy way out to get rid of a patient’s pain.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay And Against Euthanasia

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    On the flip side of this coin, there are those people who are pro-life and against the option of euthanasia becoming legalized across the board. Connecticut was featured in the news recently on the issue of euthanasia as proponents for the bill tried to have it passed but it was shot down and once again unsuccessful. Maybe these people who are against it feel this way because there is nothing really in place to prevent its misuse by patients and doctors alike. What happens if we embrace death with dignity and inadvertently contribute to the premature deaths of patients due to misdiagnoses of illnesses? Everyone knows about the famous Dr. Kevorkian who was the angel of death by assisting over one hundred patients to their death in the name of mercy. All doctors take the Hippocratic Oath to preserve life and do whatever is necessary to hold true to this oath. Maybe our society as a whole need to try to remember why we look to those in healthcare to make us better. All healthcare professionals essentially make a promise to preserve life and make a patient look forward to a healthy outcome. Maybe we need to revisit this instead of leaning towards a patients attempt to reevaluate why they should live.

    Read More

  • The Emotions of Ambition, Remorse, and Fear in 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare

    387 Words  | 1 Pages

    Macbeth is captured by his wild ambition at the opening of the play when he and Banqou meet the three witches. The witches tell Macbeth that he is the Thane of Cawdor, and later will be king. They tell Banquo that his sons will be kings. Instantly Macbeth started to fantasize how he is going to be king. He understood that in order for him to become king he has to kill Duncan. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical”(Act 1 Sc. 3, p.23). He was pondering about the assassination until the moment that he could no longer control his emotions. “To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself and falls on the other-“(Act 1 Sc. 7, p.41). Because of his “vaulting ambition” he killed Duncan.

    Read More

  • Why I Want To Be A Veterinarian Essay

    494 Words  | 1 Pages

    Think about what challenge i want to bring in my future. One of them are becoming a veterinarian. For that i have to finish high school , ones i do do that i have to get a job and get situated ,then save up for university after i get all the money to go to the university i will go to the university for veterinarian for 4 years and get a degree for it , then i will become a veterinarian and i will be working on a vet office.some information about veterinarian:According to statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 75% of vets work in private practice.

    Read More

  • Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw

    517 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition and it consequentially leads to his downfall and ultimate demise. Macbeth is a tragic hero who is introduced in the the play as being well-liked and respected by the general and the people. He brings his death upon himself from this tragic flaw. His strengths turn into his weaknesses and his ambition drives him to the edge and sets himself up for his tragic death.

    Read More

  • Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Tragedy of Macbeth written by William Shakespeare is a tale of a man and his un-bridled ambition, set in ancient Scotland. Macbeth is a nobleman of the king of Scotland, Duncan, who is in mid-war with Norway. Macbeth and his fellow general Banquo encounter three witches. The witches tell the pair that Macbeth will be king, and Banquo’s children will also be kings. Any person in their right mind would question information given to them by strangers, let alone witches, but for some reason these statements intrigue Macbeth. They temp Macbeth to do evil things such as treason, and worse, to kill. Although un-bridled ambition is his main tragic flaw, there is one more that plays a big role in his decisions and the outcome of the story; Macbeth is far too impressionable.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: The Meaning Of Euthanasia

    726 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is euthanasia? The word euthanasia comes from Greek words. “eu” means good and “thanatos” means death. When these two words are put together, it means “good death”. However, in the dictionary, the meaning of euthanasia is “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of a hopelessly sick or injured individual in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy”. Although this definition is meant to indicate euthanasia, it may give people a negative idea about euthanasia. Most people who choose to have euthanasia are patients with incurable or painful diseases such as cancer or Hepatitis B. These people go through a lot of pain every day; so don’t they have the right to choose death over going through a life of both physical and mental suffering? Euthanasia gives people with diseases like such, to have a good death without going through the suffering and pain. Yet, euthanasia is only legal in four countries and 3 out of 50 of the states in America. Many

    Read More

  • The Many Causes Of Depression: What Is Depression?

    1393 Words  | 3 Pages

    First thing I going to talk about is the many causes of depression. First off there is abuse, which can range anywhere from emotional, mental, to physical. If someone is abused in any way it can make them feel worthless or make them feel like the deserve the abuse cause they view themselves as failures, which isn’t ever really the case. Second there’s serious illnesses that can cause depression. For example cancer, autism, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. There are millions of people in the world who have “regular” to life threatening illnesses. They are the poster children of depression due to the fact it delays their mobility, the cant do things normal people can do, they have to take a substantial amount of medication, and so many more reasons. All these setbacks depresses them and makes them feel like a lower human being who always needs taken care of. Third there’s death and loss that can cause depression. If someone loses someone very close to them (whether it has to do with death or just a permanent

    Read More

  • The Benefits Of Being A Veterinarian

    1485 Words  | 3 Pages

    I already knew that to be a veterinarian, you need to go through a lot of school and

    Read More

More about Flaws in the Characters of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Open Document