Analytical Essay On Macbeth

Naive Macbeth

Macbeth begins on a bloody note: a battle rages from which Banquo and Macbeth survive bloodied, but heroes. They are the generals of Scotland; the country’s future is in their hands and in their blades. However, when one clutches once to such power, it is hard to let go. Macbeth cannot let go. Macbeth also ends on a bloody note: Macbeth’s head is cut off and presented to Malcolm, his replacement. Peace is restored through war; bloody injustice is righted finally with bloody justice. What falls between these two notes—the beginning and end of the tragedy—is a symphony of treachery, deceit, and murder. The images of nature gone awry spread all through the play—from the gardens that have turned to weeds to the horses

The weird sisters, as is their art, wreak havoc with Macbeth’s mind and life. From the moment they are introduced, their every word affects Macbeth’s actions. They are the characters that put the idea of becoming king in Macbeth’s head to begin with: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, that shalt be King hereafter! (1.3.48-50).” By addressing Macbeth first as he is, then with a title that he is but does not yet know of, and finally with a title he must take action to attain, they encourage him to take the actions necessary. Their words are a promise to him that he will succeed if he murders Duncan. Of course, the weird sisters are not responsible only for the first blood that covers Macbeth’s hands. It is the sisters’ prediction that puts Macbeth on the course to kill Macduff: “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife. (4.1.71-73),” which finally ends in Macbeth’s death. The weird sisters have a large part in Macbeth’s death as well for they make him “spurn fate, scorn death, and bear his hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear (3.5.30-33)” by predicting actions but relaying only riddles. For example, the weird sisters predict that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth (4.1.79-81),” and “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to

Lady Macbeth is the sole reason that Macbeth acts on the weird sister’s prophesies. Even before she speaks to him, Lady Macbeth has sworn that her husband will take the King’s place by murdering his lord and kinsman. It is her decision that Macbeth take power, not his own, and her plans that mean the end of Duncan. Lady Macbeth is in control from her first introduction; Macbeth himself is just a tool in her hands. Lady Macbeth feels that she has to take control, for her husband will never take the requisite steps. Macbeth is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way (1.5.17-19).” Lady Macbeth knows her husband too well to imagine that he will readily accept murdering his King so she makes the plans herself. While this does not excuse Macbeth’s actions—he still killed the King—it may excuse his motives. When Macbeth is finally subject to Lady Macbeth’s ministrations, her every word is directed at convincing him to go along with her plan: “Hie thee hither. That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal. (1.5.26-31).” Lady Macbeth curses her husband for his gentle and trustworthy nature, and eventually succeeds in turning him to her cause. In addition, Lady Macbeth is plagued by the same nightmares and