Macbeth's Susceptibility to Wife and Witches

MACBETH

"Macbeth" is one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays. The title character is a tragic figure who is easily misled and often misunderstood. Macbeth is a complex character who shows us countless aspects of his personality throughout the play, as he transforms from an ambitious and noble man to a blood thirsty and merciless maniac. We can still sympathise with Macbeth after all the dreadful crimes that he commits because we see in full detail his susceptibility to his wife's ruthless ambitions and the superstitious predictions of the witches.

Before we even meet Macbeth we discover that he is a valiant man. Duncan, the King of Scotland, shows immense admiration and respect towards Macbeth. He declares, "For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name".

Shakespeare begins the play with three witches upon a moor. He knew – at that time - people were fascinated with witches and witchcraft. This story line would engross his audience from the very beginning. Shakespeare was also trying to curry favour with royalty, as he knew James I was interested in the supernatural and he had even published a book in 1597 called "Demonology".

The first sign of Macbeth's susceptibility is shown when he and Banquo encounter the witches. The witches predict that Macbeth and Banquo's descendants will become kings. Macbeth believes what the witches have prophesised, revealing his gullible side. We see this when he says, "stay you imperfect speakers". We can see that Banquo is a foil to Macbeth because he – unusually for the time - does not believe the old hags. Banquo's response contrasts with Macbeth's and presents Macbeth in a bad light. Macbeth displays his certainty that he will become king when he says, "Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor. The greatest is behind."

Macbeth shows that he can be scheming when he says that Malcolm, King Duncan's son, "is a step, on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies." He feels he must take matters into his own hands and kill Malcolm as he is the heir to the throne. I sense that he has become jealous of Malcolm and considers him as an obstacle to overcome. He also makes out that killing Malcolm is part of his quest to become king - almost as if it is his challenge.