Macbeth External Factors

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Recommended: To what extent do the witches influence Macbeth's decision and actions

Internal and external factors can drive someone to their deadly fate. In the play of Macbeth the fate of a king is outlined by his decisions and moral dilemmas. Macbeth is a Scottish general who becomes king after the death of King Duncan. After three witches tell a prophecy to Macbeth, nothing will stop him from getting what he wants. Macbeth commits multiple murders in order to get what he wants, as a result he becomes corrupt and mentally unstable. Macbeth’s drive for power, his paranoia and the goading of Lady Macbeth are all factors that drive him into evil. The influence of others can effect someone judgement and may even lead them to do horrible things. The witches address Macbeth as he is the “Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and …show more content…

Macbeth becomes more paranoid after each murder he commits. When Macbeth kills Duncan he starts to hear voices in his head. At one point Macbeth hears a voice cry “sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” (2.2.38-39). Macbeth cannot sleep because he believes that he has ruined innocent sleep. Sleep is the time used for refreshment but Macbeth will no longer be able to participate because of the crimes he committed. Macbeth is paranoid about the possibility of being caught. While he is in his chambers he hears a knock and asks “How is’t with me, when every noise appals me?” (2.2.62). Macbeth is filled with fear every time he hears movement and sound. This internal conflict drives his mind insane which results in Macbeth’s descent into evil. Macbeth starts to see things aswell, like the Duncan’s blood on his hand. Macbeth comments that his hands “pluck out his eyes” (2.2.62), meaning that he would pick out his eyes just to not have witnessed the horrible murder. Paranoia is the mental deterioration of Macbeth and is the reason he starts to make murderous …show more content…

If it was not for the influence of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth what have never been truly convinced to start his murderous rampage. In different parts of the plays Macbeth is confronted with different influences that change his decisions. The three witches implant the idea that sparks Macbeth’s ambition to take the throne. When he pushed to kill Duncan, Macbeth becomes mentally unstable and is filled with paranoia. Macbeth tries to battle the guilt but it overcomes him which causes him to make more murderous decisions. Macbeth is corrupt and a tragic

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