Macbeth 22

When the play opens .Macbeth is the hero of the day. Who has fought bravely to defend Scotland against the rebel MacDonwald and the invading Norwegian forces. He is repeatedly called brave, valiant, noble and worthy. I quote “no more tha’t Thane of cawdor shall deceive / our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death / And with his former title greet Macbeth. (Act 1 scene: 2)

However, once we see Macbeth interact with the three witches. We realise that his physical courage is joint by a tendency of self doubt. I quote “fair is foul and foul is fair” (Act 1 scene 1) the three witches clearly want to change Macbeth’s character from being a brave, valiant and noble character to an evil character. After Macbeth’s meeting with the tree witches he gives us the impression that he has some evil forces in him, because he admits his ambition for being king .Macbeth also admits that Malcolm has become a stumbling block on his path to the crown.

As the play goes on Macbeth cannot decide whether or not to murder King Duncan. He is been pressured and manipulated by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth then questions his manhood I quote “when you first do, it then you were a man/And, to be more than what you were, you would/be so much more than a man…”(Act 1 scene 7) and due to this he feels that he has to prove himself and commits the murder of Duncan and blames it on the guards. We also get the impression that Macbeth still has doubts of killing Duncan and he is afraid of getting caught   I quote “if we shall fail” (Act 1 scene 7)This shows us that Macbeth still has some good in him and that he has been forced by his wife to commit the murder.

Macbeth commits the murder and immediately appalled by the consequences of the deed. He cannot pray and hears voices at night. Macbeth’s guilty conscience bothers him. There are definite contradictions in Macbeth’s character, though. He orders the murders of Banquo, Fleance (who escapes) and Macduff’s entire household. But at the play’s...