The True Self In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Life may appear a certain way, but in actuality, it is not what it seems to be. Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, follows the life of a nobleman named Macbeth after he is given prophecies by three witches one day after a great fought battle. Consequently, he believes them and plots a plan to murder the King, he was once loyal to, and to be King himself soon after. In the end, he loses his relationships with his friends and family. He also loses his life due to the hidden messages from the witches in the second set of prophecies given to Macbeth. These character's attributes are often mistaken, and in actuality, a persons' true self is hidden. Despite Lady Macbeths' initial strength, Macbeth strength is shown after Lady Macbeth …show more content…

In the end, at the battle at Dunsinane, Macduff and Macbeth come face-to-face and Macbeth realizes he was undermind by the witches and bellows, "Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,/For it hath cow'd my better part of man!/And be these juggling fiends no more believed […]," (V.viii.21-26). The second set of prophecies given to Macbeth were not as close as the first, but Macbeth finds this out too late. The specific prophecy that deals with Macduff, states that a man born of a woman cannot kill him. Macbeth gains a false sense of confidence and he concludes that he cannot be killed, mistakenly he does not realize the hidden meaning to the prophecy. Technically, Macduff was not born of a woman, but by a Caesarian section. The witches deceive Macbeth and as a result, the loses his life. While, in the Palace, Macbeth hints to Lady Macbeth of his plans to kill his new enemy, Banquo, he boasts, "Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;/Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill:/So, prithee, go with me," (III.ii.59-61). The relationship of the Macbeth seem to be one based on trust, but this is proved wrong when Lady Macbeth has no input in the plans to murder Banquo. Although Macbeth slightly hints of his intentions, he does not directly state or give away any details of his plans. Lady Macbeth was the trusted advisor of …show more content…

To show strength, one must be physically strong, shown by Macbeth during his brave victory in battle against Macdonwald. But to be strong, one must more so be sane, which Lady Macbeth shows her weakness through her suicide. To show trust, one must confide in those around them, much like Macbeth did with his wife and believing the witches words. Trust is lost once Macbeth becomes King and he figures out the witches mind-boggling messages. To show loyalty, one must respect and value those who show loyalty also, Macbeth portrays this by valuing his wife’s opinion and fighting for his country, but looses his relationships once he has his desire to become King. Most, if not all, people in the word are deceiving, but those we need to be mindful of are those that lead. Followers should not blindly trust their leaders because their true intentions may not lie underneath, but their greedy desires

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