Eish Maheshwari Macbeth Final Assessment Often times in one’s life, close ones may impact one’s behavior and beliefs more than expected. Their future actions are not solely attributed to their own conscience. Furthermore, the concept of fate plays a role in how people behave and interact with those around them. Fate changes how one views the world, thus influencing their actions. Although many believe that their lives are not fated and solely dependent on their choices, authors often exploit this idea and allow characters to adhere closely to the philosophy of a fated life. In many works of literature, other characters and ideologies heavily influence the behavior of primary characters. Authors often implement these techniques in order to add …show more content…
complexity to a character and support or disprove certain themes.
In the play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the primary character, Macbeth, commits several immoral acts to consolidate his power and maintain his authority. Although others may view his actions as explanatory for his evil and condescending personality, it is more accurate that Macbeth has been influenced greatly by those around him and should not receive all the blame for his actions. Through Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness and connections to Macbeth, the original prophecy’s fate, and the apparitions obscure auguries, Macbeth’s actions and mentality were negatively impacted. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth’s influence greatly impacted Macbeth’s emotions and his interactions with others, most notably, during the murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth used manipulative language in order to challenge Macbeth’s power and invoke feelings of unappreciation. For instance, Lady Macbeth informs Macbeth that he will “live as a coward in thine own esteem…when you durst do it, then you were a man” (1.7.47-56). Previously, it was shown the Macbeth highly values his honor and pride in military combat, even said to “disdain fortune...like valor’s
minion carved out his passage” (1.2.17-19). Lady Macbeth viciously attacks his pride, questioning his masculinity and strength. She questions his courage and confidence, demoralizing him and making him feel rejected. Only after these hurtful comments was Macbeth willing to listen to his wife’s desires and proceed with the murder. She is almost coercing him into murdering Duncan for the sole reason of pleasing his wife and proving his loyalty. She uses her psychotic and ruthless nature to play with Macbeth’s emotions. This demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s influence as she convinced him to kill Duncan through sly and deceptive tactics: insulting the very thing Macbeth cherishes, his pride. In addition, Lady Macbeth’s reaction at Macbeth’s hallucination of Banquo’s ghost is revealing of her true ruthlessness, as it suppressed Macbeth’s guiltiness. While Macbeth is horrified by what actions he is committing, Lady Macbeth attempts to calm him down and considers the incident “the very painting of your fear” (3.4.74). She claims that the murder of Banquo and Duncan were just minor obstacles, simply unleashing his fear. She, once again, considers him to be frightened and convinces him to remove these thoughts from his mind, leaving behind evil thoughts and intentions. In general, Lady Macbeth was able to use manipulative language to change the way Macbeth viewed murder, allowing him to commit acts of violence easily, a key trait that is prevalent throughout the rest of the play. The original prophecy of the Wëird Sisters claimed that Macbeth would become king and that Banquo’s heirs would hold the crown in the future. Because Macbeth was willing to accept that his life may be fated, these two seemingly contrasting ideas persuaded him to take action in order to fulfill this prophecy, changing his behavior to allow for radical decisions. Firstly, the prophecy created paranoia as Macbeth’s power was always threatened by the prospect of Banquo’s heirs dethroning his reign. Because Banquo was one of the few who had heard the official prophecy from the witches, he always expressed suspicion towards Macbeth after he was crowned King. Macbeth knows that “to be safely thus [remain King], our fears in Banquo stick deep and in his royalty of nature” (3.1.53-54). Macbeth fears that his reign will be challenged and maintains his irrational fear that Banquo is a threat. The prophecy's reference to Banquo’s descendants and Banquo’s presence at the actual telling of the prophecy shows that Macbeth’s paranoia and murderous actions are attributed to its influences. Macbeth realized that in order to truly consolidate his power and uphold the prophecy’s will, he must kill Banquo to remove any threat to his reign and maintain the unquestioned rule of Scotland. His choices at this time solely originated from the prophecy, meaning he is not the only one responsible for all that he did. Secondly, as the play progresses. Macbeth became deeply philosophical and began to view the world differently. For instance, as his reign is impending collapse, Macbeth begins to claim that his life was meaningless and a lost cause; it has “fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf” (5.3.27). He questions his honor, pride, and courage (the very definition of his accomplishments) because the prophecy turned him insane. The paranoia of losing his throne that originated with the prophecy still lingers in Macbeth’s mind, making him think illogically. His viewpoint of the world changed and he was claiming his life was meaningless, actions all resulting from the disastrous reality of the prophecy. Overall, the fact that Banquo is highly involved in the prophecy creates irrational fears within Macbeth, leading him to commit further atrocities. The apparitions that Macbeth longed to see to learn more about his “fated life” further pressured him, creating a sense of authority and false security. They also lead to his poorly executed and unwise choices. The fact that the apparitions led to this shows that Macbeth succumbed to the influences of external sources which convinced him to commit his horrendous deeds. For instance, the apparitions proposed illogical circumstances that would lead to Macbeth’s defeat, allowing him to falsely conclude that his power is “unquestioned.” Macbeth cheerfully claims how he “shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom” (4.1.113-114) and will remain in power for the rest of his life. However, Macbeth misinterpreted the lines due to illogical reasoning and rash decision making. The quote reveals that the misleading wording of the apparitions and past instances of fate that Macbeth has experienced have altered his personality and decision making, making him more susceptible to believing anything that reassures him of his power. As his paranoia swells, he is more willing to believe anything that will keep him in power, making him falsely accept that his reign is “safe.” Following this, he develops a boastful, cocky nature that he maintains for the rest of the novel, leading to even more deaths, all because of the apparitions. Overall, it is sure that the apparitions influenced Macbeth’s decision-making skills and convinced him to kill Macduff's family in order to fulfill his destiny, so all of the blame for his behavior cannot be solely attributed to him. The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare clearly demonstrated ideas of fate, how humans may buy into the lure of fate, and how viewpoints, behavior, and actions are all morphed by others. Despite the fact that some may disagree that these influences have any significant impact on people, it is more accurate that Macbeth has been influenced greatly by those around him. Through Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness and connections to Macbeth, the original prophecy’s fate, and the apparitions obscure auguries, Macbeth’s actions and mentality were negatively impacted and led to irrational decisions and his demise. Despite these points, some may believe that as the text progresses, Macbeth begins to act out of his own paranoia and developed a transfigured personality, becoming an unrecognizable monstrosity. However, the rapid change in his mental state began with the once evil behavior of Lady Macbeth and the prophecies; they were the reason he became tyrannical and power-hungry. Without Lady Macbeth effectively “desensitizing” Macbeth to bloodshed and murder or the apparitions revealing his so called “fate,” Macbeth would have never begun nor successfully maintained his reign, remaining a loyal, trustworthy warrior. In general, the discussion of a fated life in the play is used insightfully by Shakespeare to prove a point: fate is a fictitious idea and only the influences of others and one’s consciousness can impact it. Despite this, many people still give into its luring capabilities and are, thus, forced to pay the consequences. The mistakes of these people further help understand that decisions (made either alone or by the influence of others) are the primary factor deciding one’s future. Overall, it was demonstrated that individual beliefs do not define humans; it is the interactions with close ones and their impacts that truly establishes one’s personality and behavior.
In the play of “Macbeth”, Shakespeare gradually and effectively deepens our understanding of the themes and most importantly the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The main theme of Macbeth is ambition, and how it compels the main characters to pursue it. The antagonists of the play are the three witches, who symbolise the theme appearance and reality. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relation is an irony throughout the play, as most of their relation is based on greed and power. This is different from most of Shakespeare’s other plays, which are mostly based on romance and trust. There is also guilt that leads Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to the final consequences of the play. As the progresses, the constant changes in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are exposed.
Throughout the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth continuously decides 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.
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tragedy in which the main characters are obsessed by the desire for power. Macbeth’s aspiration for power blinds him to the ethical implications of his dreadful acts. The more that Shakespeare’s Macbeth represses his murderous feelings, the more he is haunted by them. By analyzing his hallucinations it is possible to trace his deteriorating mental state and the trajectory of his ultimate fall. Throughout the play Macbeth is never satisfied with himself. He feels the need to keep committing crime in order to keep what he wants most: his kingship. The harder Macbeth tries to change his fate the more he tends to run into his fate. His ambition and struggle for power was Macbeth’s tragic flaw in the play. Macbeth’s rise to the throne was brought about by the same external forces that ensure his downfall.
The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier
Macbeth is a brave general who fights for his country Scotland, defeating the King of Norway. He is loyal to his king Duncan, but Macbeth has ambition to take over the kingdom for himself. He has lots of doubts of if he is doing the right thing, but still murders Duncan and then Banquo who is another general who fought with Macbeth. These murders and guilt about his treason are leading Macbeth to become insane. This essay shows that although Macbeth’s strong desire for power is influenced by the three witches in the play and also the planning and ambition of his wife Lady Macbeth, in the end he is responsible for his self-destruction.
William Shakespeare's play Macbeth is a five-act drama that shows a clear example of how pride, greed, and power can alter a man's actions and personality. The taste of power blinds the story's main character, Macbeth. Sparked by Lady Macbeth, he becomes heartless and cruel as he kills anyone who is a threat to his power due to his paranoia of losing the throne. This fear ironically leads to his downfall and loss of the throne. The theme of the story is deceit and evil and how they affect a man's decisions. Critics pose interesting views concerning the identity and significance of the mysterious third murderer.
Perhaps the most fundamental theme of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the inherent corruptibility of even a seemingly good man when ambition turns to greed, and Macbeth himself exemplifies this concept throughout the play. While at the outset he is seen to be loyal to his king, generally considered trustworthy, and displaying numerous other laudable qualities, Macbeth ultimately succumbs to the influence of those around him and becomes unequivocally evil, setting aside all his previously held morals and coming to be driven only by his lust for power. This transition is brought about by a wide variety of factors and plays an integral role in the development of the plot. In his tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare employs
“When you first do it, then you were a man, And to be more than what you were, you would, be so much more the man” (I. VII, 54-56). After struggling with the thought of killing Duncan, Macbeth is reprimanded by Lady Macbeth for his lack of courage. She informs him that killing the king will make him a man, insinuating that he isn’t a man if he doesn’t go through with the murder. This develops Lady Macbeth as a merciless, nasty, and selfish woman. She will say, or do anything to get what she desires, even if it means harming others.
Among the greatest gifts that the renaissance produced was the eloquent and incredible Shakespearean plays. Written mostly in the 1590s these plays have been performed and admired countless times; entertaining mass audiences by providing interesting tales that explore the depth of human insights and the different universal themes. Among the many Shakespearean plays Macbeth, written in 1606, stands out with its short composition but multiple themes. This tragedy narrates the tale of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s quest to grasp ultimate power by ignoring their morals and succumbing to their dark desires, which ultimately leads to their downfall. This tragic play portrays the desires, needs, and temptations that accompany ambition in men and women. However the ambition in Macbeth is blind, it does not abide to the morals, but it allows space for dark actions as means necessary for accomplishment. Blind ambition serves as the main driving force that drives Macbeth to subdue to his dark desires, defy his noble behavior, and ultimately his downfall.
Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” explores a fundamental struggle of the human conscience. The reader is transported into the journey of a man who recognizes and acknowledges evil but still succumbs to its destructive powers. The character of Macbeth is shrouded in ambiguity that scholars have claimed as both being a tyrant and tragic hero. Macbeth’s inner turmoil and anxieties that burden him throughout the entire play evoke sympathy and pity in the reader. Though he has the characteristics of an irredeemable tyrant, Macbeth realizes his mistakes and knows there is no redemption for his sins. And that is indeed tragic.
Lady Macbeth and the witches have both planted the seed of ambition inside of Macbeth Because of Lady Macbeth’s wicked behavior, which resulted in Macbeth’s evil transition; he was led to become a murderer. Macbeth should not be held accountable for his actions completely since she is the one who lead him towards committing both crimes. The major theme ambition and greed for power have played a key part in Macbeth’s fall from a great Scottish general to a murderer. People should be content on what they have and not strive for things which destroy a person even if we are influenced. In this case Shakespeare’s thought proving play of Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth is the first to strategize a way to kill Duncan. As a character foil to Macbeth she juxtaposes their possession of guilt and ruthlessness, which creates irony and excitement to the play. Originally, she is very power hungry and wants to utilize her husband’s position in status to become queen. Macbeth objects to the plan to kill Duncan because he believes Duncan is Macbeth’s kinsman, host, and an overall virtuous ruler (Act. 1 Scene. 7) and thus feels very guilty for taking advantage of Duncan’s trusting quality towards the Macbeth family. She refers to Macbeth as weak and rebukes his manhood (Act 1. Scene 7.) . As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have a character role reversal of their possession of guilt and ruthlessness. The character foil is extant, however Macbeth’s ruthlessness overcomes his guilt, and Lady Macbeth’s guilt vanquishes her drive for power. In addition to an alteration in character foils, Shakespeare introduces situational irony because now Lady Macbeth succumbs to the weakness Macbeth once possessed and Macbeth is the one who is formidable and ambitious. Macbeth’s ability to transcend his guilt exemplifies his struggle for power and reinforces the theme of evil ambition because Macbeth is able to secure the throne and power only by mass
This specific action consequently resulted in Macbeth’s level of morality to continually decline as he is acutely aware of his own tyranny. Therefore Macbeth attempts to forget the horrific deed he has committed and be the figure that orders and disorders. Our perception of Macbeth being a wise and loyal soldier is now eroded, as we start to view Macbeth constantly questioning his own actions, and is also impelled to perpetrate further atrocities with the intention of covering up his previous wrong-doings.
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the history of English literature as well as the world’s paramount playwright. Possibly the most superlative writing attribute he possessed was his unmatched ability of characterization. Shakespeare created unique, opaque, and eminent characters who related to almost everyone. When one thinks of these famous characters, Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth comes into consideration. Macbeth is possibly Shakespearian Theatre’s densest and most disturbed character, and this prestigious title can be credited to his obvious psychological problems. The troubled mind of Macbeth can be related to several modern day psychological problems.
The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Macbeth is a man, influenced by supernatural powers, a manipulative