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Analysis of Macbeth by William Shakespeare Essay
Analysis of macbeth
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Was there a moment in your life which changed who you are? Maybe a choice, situation or event caused you to do something you might not of otherwise? Events, choices, and situations can significantly influence the course of life. This is evident by considering the development of Macbeth throughout Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Macbeth, during the beginning of the play, had some situations, choices, and events which changed his course of life. Macbeth's encounter with the witches significantly changed his life. The witches told him a prophecy which at first didn't affect him. The witches told him “All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.” …show more content…
When Duncan named his son Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth only saw this as an obstacle to stop him or jump over. Macbeth thoughts was “ The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step On which i must fall down, or else o’re-leap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let it not see my black and deep desires: The eye wink at hand! yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”(1,4,55-60) Once Macbeth killed Duncan his heart was filled with darkness which he didn't want to go back. After the death was cleaned up and the sons fled, Macbeth then was named king of Scotland. This was what the prophecy said he would have. To Macbeth this was not enough he wanted to be safely secure which wasn't in the prophecy. Macbeth went to see the witches once more to see more of the prophecy to which the apparitions said “ Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff; beware the thane of fife.”(4,1,77-78), ” Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”(4,1,83-87), “ Be lion- mettled, proud, and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: Macbeth shall never be vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.”(4,1,97-102). Finally the
Because of the witches’ prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s ambition and Macbeth’s greed, Macbeth diverges from his values and principles, corrupting him and ultimately leading to his downfall. Because of their greed and pride, the characters in the Tragedy of Macbeth end up not only losing everything that was important to them, but also the path on life they had tried so hard to stay on. Greed and pride shatters the fate that one would have had, whether fate is defined as where one would want to end up, or as where one will end up at.
Macbeth is first introduced as a war hero, slayer of the Norweyans. He is then introduced to prophesy by three witches. They prophesize how he will become first Thane of Cawdor and then king. "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!...Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter." (Act 1 Scene 3). Macbeth becomes thane and starts to believe in the prophesies if the witches. What first started as inquisitiveness and doubt, soon became fate and truth as the Bible is to Christians. Macbeth began to believe the next prophesy. In fact, not only would he become king, he made it his personal obligation and responsibility to see that it became so. With a little bit of nagging (that is the best term to use) from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth chooses to fulfill his de...
In fear of losing this power to his friend Banquo or his son Fleance, whom of which the witches said would be king after Macbeth and would yield a long line of kings, Macbeth had them murdered in the woods while they were out horseback riding. This proves that he truly believes in what the witches have to say about him and his future, which leads him to back to seek out more of the witches half truths to see what else would come of his future. The next set of prophecies that the witches had to offer were shown in a set of three apparitions. The first said “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff. Beware the thane of Fife,” the second apperition then spoke “none of woman born can harm Macbeth,” the third aperition then said “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Shall come against him”(Shakespeare,168-170). Some say it was the witches fault for Macbeth’s actions next, but in reality it was Macbeth’s and Macbeth’s alone. Due to these three prophecies Macbeth’s level of arrogance went up along with his hunger for power as well, his level of common sense was decreasing faster and faster. Macbeth’s lack of common sense caused him to make rash decisions without thinking them through. Such as when he says “From this moment the very firstlings of my
Because they were all used on him, he was affected a great deal. His wife’s convincing, urging, and pressuring kick started the change. The confusing words of the witches’ prophecies helped to give it direction, and his ‘brilliant’ plan gave him an end goal to work towards. If it was not for these influences, Macbeth’s morality might not have gone through such a drastic change. In conclusion, Macbeth’s change of morality was influenced very much by his wife’s pressure, the witches’ prophecies, and his own
"All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thou shall be King hereafter!" (1.3.49) The witches help fate out by giving Macbeth this information. If Macbeth had never known this, he would never have had the idea of becoming thane of Cawdor or king. This is the start to Macbeth's road to success and ultimate demise. It was predetermined by fate that Macbeth would believe the witches' words. When Macbeth does in fact become thane of Cawdor, he then believes fully in the witches and is willing to do anything it takes to become king.
Macbeth shifts from being loyal and courageous to a murderer executing a treacherous plan to kill the current king due to supernatural suggestions that he would be king himself. Macbeth is discussed as a man worthy of recognition by other characters in act one scene two. In this scene, the Captain states: “For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)” (1. 2. 18). Macbeth is being praised for his courage and loyalty to Scotland and the king. This first impression is hastily contrasted after hearing the prophecy of the witches stating he will be “king hereafter” (1. 3. 53). Immediately after hearing this, Macbet...
Macbeth knows that Duncan must be killed if he wants to acquire the throne, and the thought of Duncan’s murder is very disturbing to him. Macbeth desires to become king, but his ambition is halted when he thinks of the consequences that follow if he were to get his wish. However, when Malcolm was chosen to become Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth knew that if he did not take any action then he wouldn’t be king. The reader can see that the ruthlessness that lies in Macbeth is coming out when he says “The Prince of Cumberland – that is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Despite the fact that Macbeth is a ruthless individual, Lady Macbeth makes him look like a saint.
How much of an influence does fate have on the ideals of a person? Is Macbeth acting out the selfish desires of his own accord? Fate is thought to be unavoidable, and all the paths of life lead to a destiny that is inescapable. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, not only is Macbeth’s hand forced in committing a murder, his fate is expedited in the process. Macbeth is in control of his own destiny, but is spurned into decisions by the Witches and his wife. Although Macbeth believes he is controlled by fate, a more thorough inspection reveals his control over all his actions.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a play about an honest and brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that he will be made Thane of Cawdor and one day King of Scotland. As the first prophecy comes true, Macbeth becomes consumed by ambition and greed leading him to murder King Duncan and taking over the throne. Afterwards he is filled with regretted and guilt yet continues on killing as a means to protect himself, losing sight of the honourable man he once was. Throughout the play Shakespeare uses many stylistic features and language techniques such as imagery, paradoxes and soliloquies to engage his readers, both those of his time and today, as well as highlighting important issues.
Macbeth, once a noble and courageous warrior is transformed into an egotistical and ruthless tyrant. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth encounters a transformation which brings him the crown, as well as his death. However, this transformation reached the point it did because three motivational factors. Throughout the tragedy the Three Witches (along with the prophecy), Macbeth's himself, and Lady Macbeth were motivational factors that manipulated Macbeth into committing murder and treason. Although it is Macbeth who is at blame for his actions, it is these three motivational factors that caused him to complete those actions. If it were not for these people, Macbeth might have taken a different path and could have continued to be the gracious and admirable warrior that he once was.
In the beginning of the play we are first introduced to Macbeth as a Scottish general and thane of glamis, is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches he begins to change especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of Cawdor comes true.
Seeking for greater power, Macbeth murders Duncan who is the king at that time, which caused a great pain for the kingdom. Duncan is a great king, but just not a so good human reader. He has never been aware of Macbeth. He never have a thought that Macbeth might be a danger, who is willing to kill him for the throne. On the other hand, Macbeth does not accept to be just a general for the rest of his life. He wants a greater power, higher position than he is having at the time. Because of the suggests from the trio witches: “ All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/ All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”(1.2.49-50), Macbeth has the thinking about killing the king to take his throne. By calling Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor, they give Macbeth the thought that being a king is his fate. On the night Macbeth is planning to murder Duncan, the Old Man see many strange events: “And Duncan’s horses (a thing most strange and certain),/ Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, /Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out/ Contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would/ Make war with mankind” (2.4.14-18). It creates a scary feeling in the kingdom, and means something bad will happen to the kingdom.
MacBeth is Thane of Glamis and a highly honorable and respected man. He Is valiant and brave and was very successful fighting for his country. His honesty is unquestioned and he is looked upon favorably by the King. King Duncan awards MacBeth the title of Thane of Cawdor for his courageousness in battle. MacBeth doesn't seem to be one overwhelmed by his ambition but when met by the witches takes their ramblings to heart. 'Hail Thane of Glamis and of Cawdor and shalt be King hereafter'. These prophecies from three strangers are taken without question and probably without good judgement. Just the thought that he may be King clouds his thoughts and ambition take over. It is Lady MacBeth though who first schemes the treachery of murdering the King. But before the murder he is still a good man and his conscience is creating serious doubts. When contemplating the terrible deed he seems to be changing his mind. 'Prithee, peace: I'll dare do all that may become a man, who dares more is none'. But encouragement from his wife and an apparition probabl...
Macbeth, the main character in the tragedy of Macbeth, undergoes a series of character changes throughout the play. His transformation occurs in three major stages. First comes his attitude at the beginning of Macbeth where it is very positive and powerful. Subsequently he endures a change with the murder of king Duncan that reduces him from his moral and good status. Finally, he becomes wicked in his ways and develops into a tyrant and a butcher. This series of changes are evident as one reads the tragic play of Macbeth.
We see the character of Macbeth go through a personality transformation after a powerful predicament from Three witches. Starting as the highly thought of thane of Glamis, Macbeth is told he shall become thane of Cawdor and then king. The witches, quickly portrayed as evil, could have predicted these events, or simply planted the idea in Macbeth’s head, to exploit his fatal flaw.