Macbeth Character Analysis

The tragedy Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, follows the rise and fall of a loyal Scottish warrior. Macbeth is portrayed as a man of multiple sides, presenting three main traits – bravery, ambition, and self-doubt – throughout the play. The character is an example of how ambition and guilt can have terrible effects on an individual lacking in strength of character. Although some people may perceive Macbeth as malicious, his weak character shows that he is incapable of conquering guilt and self-doubt. The prime themes of the play are: ambition, loyalty and betrayal, good and evil, appearance versus reality, supernatural and fate. Shakespeare presents these themes through the actions of Macbeth and their results: the corrupting effects

Macbeth’s character had no desire to kill King Duncan it’s not until Lady Macbeth uses her female charm to manipulate helpless Macbeth, corrupting his innocence. With determination, she uses her skilful knowledge of manipulation and persuasion to get what she ultimately desires. When Lady Macbeth was aware of Macbeths prophecies she was full of joy, in fact she was so joyful that she began to eagerly and expertly plot the murder of King Duncan. Shakespeare has positioned the audience to witness Lady Macbeth willingly harness evil from within. When she informed Macbeth of her plan, he was hesitant, refusing to betray his King. However Lady Macbeth was fast to change his mind insulting his masculinity, by calling him a coward. “When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.” (1.7.49-51). The audience is invited to see Macbeth as a victim rather than a villain because he never intended to kill King Duncan, “We will proceed no further in this business.” (1.7.31). It was Lady Macbeth’s own ambition and she used her female charm to emotionally manipulate and persuade Macbeth. He never wanted to betray his king, or his wife, he was a noble man who trusted his beloved wife. The audience has no choice but to view Macbeth as a victim. Macbeth wasn’t the cause of King Duncan’s death, with the

As humans we are attracted to tragedy in our everyday lives. For the horror, understanding and contemplation of human nature what else can offer a better summary than Shakespeare? In the play the Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare the story progresses through the vision of the protagonist, Macbeth. Throughout the story Macbeth aspires to obtain more power than his original position, as sergeant, provides. With many dastardly deeds he achieves the position of king, although he becomes a tyrant in the eyes of his people after they discover his wrongdoings. Readers experience the downfall of Macbeth’s morality at a slow but intriguing pace. Albeit, most would disagree that Macbeth was only a vessel of his own fate due to intervening characters throughout the play such as the witches and Lady Macbeth. When choosing who inspired this fate we have to acknowledge all actions which led to his own actions, therefore Macbeth’s demise was a response to every character portrayed throughout the play.

The character Macbeth is an ideal model for a Shakespearean tragic hero. He was known as victorious and powerful, yet within, he was ambitious and cowardice. Macbeth’s ambition ends up slowly tearing him down and destroying him by the end of the play. “Take a good man, a noble man, a man admired by all who know him – and destroy him, not only physically and emotionally, as the greeks destroyed their heroes, but also morally and intellectually.” (Booth, 17). Between the witches’ prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s prestige, and Macbeth’s growing need for power, his ambition developed rapidly, leading to the failure of this tragic hero.

One day, three witches tell Person A that he will be ruler. Once he tells his wife of this good news, she uses society’s expectations to pressure him into killing the current king/good friend of his, Duncan. She tells him that he’s a coward if he doesn’t do it and that it would make her happy. Is it wrong to make your wife happy? Macbeth asks readers this very question. It allows readers to look into motives, moral development, and the results of murder. It also allows them discover that moral motives do not justify immoral actions.

When the audience first hears about Macbeth from the sergeant’s report, the audience is led to believe that he is very much a person who does only what he believes is right. Furthermore, when he first appears in the play, his fellow nobleman, Banquo, accompanies him. Given this, The audience would think that he does what is right, and makes all his own decisions. However, this belief is proven wrong. Although Macbeth starts off as a loyal subject of Duncan, he is ambitious and this is a weakness, which allows him to be manipulated by a few factors in the play.

The character Macbeth, in the Shakespearean play The Tragedy of Macbeth, gives the audience much to cringe about. A seemingly good and virtuous noble turns into a murderous power-thirsty tyrant. However, the change runs deeper than that. The transformation of Macbeth shows the disintegration of a human as he gives into the forces pressing on him.

When people do something that makes them feel good, their brain releases dopamine to teach them to seek out this activity in the future for that good feeling to be repeated. Over time, the brain adapts in a way that actually makes the sought-after substance or activity less pleasurable. Macbeth was so addicted of the idea of becoming king that he did whatever it took. The tragic hero caused his own downfall simply because once the prophecies started coming true he continued to feed on to it which starting leading to chaotic choices. Yet, there are others who might of influenced it in the beginning, Macbeth began to do his own thing in the end.

Macbeth may be perceived as a monster, however there are three distinct actions which cultivated the perfect monster. “Macbeth is not a monster, rather, he is a man, perhaps more inclined to evil than most men, but still a man who is tempted, succumbs to temptation and pays the price for his weakness.” The quote given wraps up the entire play of Macbeth in 35 words. When the reader first analyzes the quote they can see the quote clearly state, “Macbeth is not a monster”. But why? Shouldn’t he be convicted as such for the horrendous things he did? Killing the king, betraying his friends, and killing their families? Slaying thousands due to these Witches telling him he was destined to? Doesn’t Macbeth have control over his own destiny? As it transpires to be, Macbeth is only turning to his natural instinct of lust for power and the fear to stand against the will of the Witches, their apparitions, and even his own wife. Even though he did what not a lot of other people are willing to go through with, he still must make up for his actions. Macbeth payed the ultimate price by losing his friends, his wife, his kingdom, and his life.

Nobody is perfect. It is undeniable that all humans have both desirable and undesirable characteristics; unfortunately, for some, the latter tend to take control. This is exhibited in William Shakespeare's Macbeth by the character for which the play is named. As Macbeth is introduced in the play, the characters offer a scenic view of his noble qualities, practically singing his praises. However, as the tragedy continues, the reader tags along as Macbeth’s inner darkness slowly takes the reigns.

“When facing a dilemma, choose the more morally demanding alternative” (Harold S. Kushner). In Macbeth, he did not have a high standard of morality, instead he chose the path of anger, greed, and ruthlessness. At first he was reluctant, but once he started there was no stopping him, as he was longing the throne of King Duncan. His killings become easier and easier as he no longer feels the remorse and becomes a cold hearted individual who exhibits iniquity. His ambition only takes him to a much darker place where he struggles with himself and his wicked thoughts. Macbeth faces many predicaments within himself, and the outside world caused by the need for his prosperity.

The real historical Macbeth upon which Shakespeare based his character, Macbeth, is an honorable, notable leader. Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins as a brave and capable warrior, but he changes to a cruel, ambitious person after hearing his prophecies from the witches. The real King Duncan, the King of Scotland, dies honorably in battle, and Macbeth honorably succeeds the throne. However, in William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth kills King Duncan secretly to avoid suspicion so he could become the next king. In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth is a tragic play that shows how Macbeth self-fulfills the prophecy that the witches had given him by becoming a murderer to fulfill his destiny, which leads to his death.

Macbeth is an English play written by William Shakespeare. The play is a well known piece of literature that gained thousands of admirers around the globe. The protagonist , Macbeth is a general in the army. Upon meeting with a tro witches his life changed completely.The witches predict that Macbeth will be made a thane and then becomes King of Scotland. Macbeth treats the prediction skeptically until some of King Duncan’s men come to thank him and Banquo for their recent victories. Additionally, they inform Macbeth that he has indeed been named thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is fascinated by the possibility of the witches’ prediction becoming a reality. Macbeth informs his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the news. Lady Macbeth desires the kingship for him. Therefore, they kill Duncan and blame the murder on the chamberlains. Macbeth also hires people to murder Banquo and his son Fleance. Macbeth becomes furious because Fleance escape. On the contrary, Macbeth becomes unstable due to the guilt of the crimes. Macbeth is a great visualization that ambition and guilt can have a great impact on a man who lacks strength of character yet is strong physically. Macbeth, according to Joseph Campbell's hero’s journey, proves to be a fine example of a tragic hero.

William Shakespeare produced astonishing plays throughout his career and Macbeth is one of his masterpieces. The tragedy of a honorable warrior demonstrates how monstrous humans can be and how a single conversation can lead someone to complete damnation. Like all of his work, Shakespeare did not fail to set a strong mood throughout the play. In Macbeth, he presents the audience with a powerful vision of evil through the characters such as the three witches, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth led a heroic life that countless people admired him, including the King of Scotland. The title of Thane seemed enough but the tragic flaw of his ambitions will be is inevitable downfall. The witches did show some foresight of what is to come and this has tempted Macbeth. But, it was his own decisions that has caused suffering to those close to him and his fellow country men. The types of suffering varied on each character and how they connected to Macbeth. Macbeth hubris is what caused him on the path of carnage with unwashable blood forever stained on his hands.