Violence In Macbeth

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, by, the theme is “power gained through selfish violence creates distance from who they once were” Shakespeare is very intentional about how he shapes each character in the play so that each plays an integral role in the tragedy that ensues.

Macbeth’s traits and characterization contribute to the theme because of the overall transformation of Macbeth in the first act, to the Macbeth who dies in the last act. This is because of how he changed his values and his views on killing (violence) and power. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is all for justice which is shown at the beginning of the story when Macbeth kills Macdonwald, the traitor, when the captain reports Macdonald's death by saying, “For brave

Macbeth—well he deserves that name—Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fix'd his head upon our battlements.” Act 1, Scene 2, Line 16-23.

What the captain was talking about was how Macdonwald was being supported by other soldiers from the enemy side and Macbeth took action and brought down the opposing side, including the traitor, Macdonwald. It is very evident that Macbeth was only for justice in this situation but towards the end of the play Macbeth goes to the extreme to get what he wants which is power, he describes this situation by saying “I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er” Act 3, Scene 4, Line 169. What Macbeth is trying to say is that he has already done so much wrong, why should he stop now? The things that he has done that he mentions include the killing of his Thane, the Thane guards, Banquo, and Macduff’s family. This relates to the thesis because of Macbeth’s development from being the idolized general who committed to justice, to the hated tyrant, who desperately wanted power, ends up

getting killed for his selfish actions. Macbeth isn't the only one who develops into someone different from the beginning to the end of the play. The Thane of Fife, Macduff, also is a big factor in changing over time through creating violence because of his own personal agenda.

Macduff’s traits and characterization enhance the theme because of his lust to get revenge against Macbeth for killing his family and also becoming the new king of Scotland.

Towards the beginning of the play, Macduff was friends with Macbeth. Towards the end of the book, Macbeth killed Macduff’s family and he wants revenge against him (through violence). This contributes to the tragedy of the play because of the emotion that followed after Macduff’s family’s death which leads to Macduff changing his point of view on how Macbeth really was and what he will do to kill Macbeth and get him out of power. Macduff shows his emotion by saying “He has no children. All my pretty ones? Did you say "all"? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam At one fell swoop?” 4.3.255-262. When Macduff killed Macbeth, he talked about how he dismembered his head by saying “Hail, King! for so thou art. Behold, where stands Th' usurper's cursèd head. The time is free. I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl, That speak my salutation in their minds, Whose voices I desire aloud with mine. Hail, King of Scotland! 5.8.65-70. What Macduff described when he had finally beheaded the person that killed his children and wife by telling his fellow kinsmen that they are free from Macbeth’s tyranny. Even though Macduff said he killed Macbeth because of his tyranny, wanting to get rid of Macbeth because of his suspicions of killing the king, it was most likely revenge for what Macbeth did

to his family.