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Changes In Macbeth

Decent Essays

The play Macbeth opens to reveal the chaotic world of good and evil. the main character of Macbeth is a loyal soldier whose only motivation is his allegiance to his king and country. At the play's beginning Macbeth is an effective general, brave soldier and Thane of Glamis. Macbeth's choices as the play progresses cause a definite change in his character which becomes secretive and vengeful, his motivation shifts from serving his king to helping himself to more power. Macbeth's pride and this hunger for more power causes him to lose everything he values- his friendship with Banquo, his marriage and with his most violent deed he loses his sanity and eventually his life. Macbeths pride destroys his friendships. When Macbeth considered the witches …show more content…

Lady Macbeth plays a most vital role in the play giving Macbeth the spur when he "needs" one, before the murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth included herself in the murder of duncan, but for them to have planned murder together, they would have needed to trust each other immensely. When Macbeth is plotting the murder of Banquo and the murder of Macduff, Lady Macbeth is completely excluded from it all. "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck" (3.2.52). In this quote Macbeth is telling Lady Macbeth not to worry about what he has just done, and yet he calls her a term of endearment, "chuck" as though they are still in a trusting relationship and he hasn't planned murder behind her back. Throughout the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have been equals and yet when he calls her "chuck" he seems to downgrade her character into the "wifey" character the audience knows she is not. The only time Macbeth disrespects Lady Macbeth is when he has become King and he is prideful and drunk off of power. Macbeths pride is a dangerous thing that causes Macbeth to lose his wife, as well as his …show more content…

When Macbeth meets the witches for the second time they give him three prophecies that he demands for. The first of which is a prophecy about Macduff. "Macbeth! Macbeth!Macbeth! Beware Macduff; beware the thane of Fife." (4.1 76-79). Later an apparition tells Macbeth to be bloody and resolut, to fear no one for none of woman born shall harm him. To which Macbeth responds with "then live Macduff: what need i fear thee? But yet i'll make assurance double sure. And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live" (4.1.90-92) later on in the same scene Lenox approaches Macbeth and tells him that Macduff has fled to England, to this news Macbeth responds with "the castle of Macduff i will surprise; seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line" (4.1.166-169). Now the audience knows that Macduff is not at his castle but in England, the audience also knows that Macbeth has absolutely no reason at all to kill Macduff's family, this is how the audience knows that Macbeth has lost his sanity, his actions now are violent and make no sense. The only possible outcome that comes from Macbeth killing Macduff's family is just adding fuel to the fire of Macduffs revenge. Why would Macbeth need to kill Macduff's children? The only reason he would feel the need to would be because he is still envious of those who have children and he does not. Macbeth's

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