Macbeth Character Analysis

Even though Banquo assures Macbeth of his loyalty, Macbeth’s paranoia takes control of him and makes him see Banquo as a threat to his rule since Banquo was the only other person to witness the witches’ prophecy (Moyer, 2015, p. 35). Moreover, the part of the prophecy that states that Banquo “shalt get kings” (Shakespeare, 1606, Act 1, Scene 3, Line 69) further ignites Macbeth’s paranoia. By killing Banquo, Macbeth is cast in stark contrast to Duncan, who acknowledged his people’s loyalty and rewarded them instead of killing them for fear of losing his

The nobles Macbeth and Banquo enter Act 1, Scene 3 and are confronted by a threesome of witches, who tell Macbeth that he will be the Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor, and the King of Scotland from then on. Before vanishing, they also tell Banquo that his children will be kings. Ross and Angus arrive with words from Duncan, stating that as a reward for his service he was given the title of the Thane of Cawdor. Upon realizing that the second part of the witches’ prophecy has been fulfilled, Macbeth has an inner struggle; the “foul” side of him wants to trust the witches and attempt to murder Duncan to acquire the throne, while the “fair” side of him is hesitant and does not wish to betray his people and gamble with his life. Shakespeare uses diction, motifs, and tone to emphasize the coexistence of good and evil that manifests inside all human beings, and how the conflict of these influences can affect one’s perception of reality.

Macbeth’s character has developed significantly up to the second act. We are first introduced to Macbeth character in a way that we view him as powerful and Nobel. We get this idea from the quote “oh valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” which is what he is described as by Duncan, who at the time is the king. From this quote Macbeth is portrayed as a loyal and heroic figure who has done much for many, however as we know this was not a smart move for Duncan to make as it makes him come across and weak and seems like Duncan should be giving Macbeth a higher title, which is what the witches had told him before. In addition, this idea of the king complementing Macbeth about all the good that he has done seems to trigger the belief that Macbeth has the ability to be king, even in the eyes of Duncan who is so ecstatic what he has done for the county.

In the play “Macbeth” the author furthers the ideas of ambition, manhood and violence throughout the play using a gender lens, mainly for masculinity in men. In the play “Macbeth” ambition plays a big role in the man characters life; Macbeth. In Act 1 scene 3, lines 125-129, “And oftentimes, to win us to our harm; The instruments of darkness tell us truth.” (Shakespeare 1.3.125-129). This quote stated by Banquo foreshadows Macbeth further into the play. Macbeth ends up killing King Duncan because he wants to be in power over the kingdom. When Banquo questions Macbeth about the killing of King Duncan, Macbeth’s ambition to kill Banquo skyrocketed. Macbeth didn’t want anybody to think or know that he ended up killing King Duncan for power. This started a cycle of death for Macbeth’s ambition to kill to stay in power. This example of ambition from “Macbeth” has a very similar motif from the movie called “The Mask You Live In”. In the movie, George Orwell states, “He wears a mask and his face grows to fit it.” The idea of the mask he wear fits his face helps us further the reason for men’s ambitions. Men’s ambitions are driven by power and dominance over people and prized possessions. For men to be able to gain power, they need to prove how masculine they are to society. In doing so they are dehumanizing their biological thoughts and feelings and turning them into artificial ones in order to be seen more powerful or dominate to the public.

Whilst the character of Macbeth is initially portrayed as a noble kinsman, his ambition and motivation, directly influenced by the witches and Lady Macbeth, ultimately transforms him into a corrupt and ruthless tyrant. William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy “Macbeth” clearly depicts this notion of change, illustrated through Shakespeare's utilisation of literary techniques. The tragic downfall of Macbeth is mainly attributed to Macbeth’s own greed and hubris.

Throughout the book, as Macbeth continues to progress in power, it seems as though his morals fade away while dark and destructive ideas spread through him quickly. While Macbeth contemplates his first evil deed of killing Duncan, he often talk’s himself into doing it, or gets outside persuasion to gain the courage that he is lacking. After talking to Lady Macbeth about how he has to murder Duncan, he exclaims, “I am settled and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. / Away and mock the time with the fairest show. / False face must hide what the false heart doth / know” (1.7.92-96). Later in the novel we learn that Macbeth thinks that Banquo has become a threat to his power. Macbeth then takes this problem into his own hands and assigns murderers to kill Banquo. Macbeth then says, “So is he mine; and in such bloody distance / That every minute of his being thrusts/ Against my nearest of life. And though I could / With barefaced power sweep him from my sight/ And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, / For certain friends that are both his and mine, / Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall who I myself struck down. And thence it is, that I to your assistance do make love, masking the business from the common eye for sundry weighty reasons” (3.1.132-142). Macbeth is saying that if he absolutely has to do this terrible deed he will, it doesn’t mean he wants to, but he is going to do it anyways. Macbeth uses the motif of appearance versus reality when he

Macbeth; Scotland’s greatest and most formidable general, the Kings loyal servant, worthy Thane of Cawdor, respected gentry of Scotland’s bosom. A murderer, tyrant, fiend, and ‘Hell-Kite’. The tale of Macbeth represents how actions and fate can change the reputation and future of anybody, and that absolute power will corrupt absolutely. Prior to the encounter Macbeth had with the Witches, he was seen as the Hero of Scotland, and battle worthy and proven soldier; gallant and friend to many, “My noble partner” (Banquo). After he is exposed to the evil and supernatural demeanour of the witches, he is overwhelmed, overcome by ambition, lust for

Making poor choices and treating others with disrespect can affect you in the long run and can easily contribute to a downfall. Macbeth was fully aware of the choices he made with the inhumane torture and disrespect he had on the citizens of Scotland. Being a tragic hero is when one experiences an immense tragedy which leads to a downfall, but Macbeth never had a tragedy because his death originated from the choices he made and reactions he had while he had authority as king. Macbeth being selfish and only caring about himself creates an undeserving and improper image as king which brought chaos into the land of Scotland. In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth does not fit the formula for a tragic hero because he is not a moral

Obsession with power makes him ruthless for he thinks only of his own welfare. No feelings of pity, hesitation or qualms of conscience are shown. Everything must now give way to his interests alone. Macbeth has travelled far from the man he was in Act I. Then, the mere thought of murder, made his heart knock against his ribs and his hair stand on end. He becomes a monstrous king causing his country to suffer ‘under the hand accursed’. Deceit, dishonour, hypocrisy, treachery and arrogant

Despite their friendship evolving drastically due to the witches prophecies, Banquo continues to serve King Macbeth out of respect and honour. Nevertheless, even the brightest stars cannot hide Macbeth’s darkest desires when Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth’s rise to power. Due to Duncan’s death, Banquo “fear[s] [Macbeth] [has] played… foully for [i]t” (III.i.2-3). Regardless, Banquo continues to stand by his friend allowing his integrity and allegiance to Macbeth shine through all the speculation. Moreover, the person that Banquo is the most devoted to, is the person that ends his life.

Some individuals who strive for success and power cease to intentionally hurt others around them to obtain self satisfaction. Through the duration of the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is a tragic hero that has promise for further greatness, but instead chooses to follow his fatal flaw and his blind ambition for power, which leads to his downfall and death. Macbeth possesses all the characteristics of a tragic hero, he is of noble birth and has heroic abilities, has a tragic flaw that leads to his destruction, and ultimately suffers complete ruin and death. Firstly, Macbeth is of noble birth and has heroic abilities. Secondly, Macbeth has a tragic flaw that leads to his destruction and lastly at the end of the novel, Macbeth suffers complete ruin

The king announces that the thane of Cawdor has died. This knowledge almost excited Macbeth. Part of the Prophecy had already came true, the witches weren 't lying. Macbeth now has hope to become the king. Macbeth was going to do anything and everything to make it happen. He is now thane of Cawdor and Thane of

If the witches have spoken as truly to Banquo as to him, Macbeth sees that he wears a "fruitless crown" and carries a "barren sceptre" in his hand; he has indeed given peace and immortality to make the race of Banquo kings. And he proceeds to his interview with the murderers, plotting what he dare not do openly, for the fear that comes when we are

Shakespeare’s character Macbeth, exhibits a personality that gradually progresses from good to bad and from bad to worse. In Act 1 of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the soon to be Lord of Cawdor, exhibits qualities expected of a noble warrior who is loyal to his king. Through the manipulations and badgering of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s good qualities begin to disappear and his evil ones emerge. The comparison between Act 1 and Act 5 unveils Macbeth’s ambitions and greed for power as being congruent with the decline of his few good personality qualities, such as bravery and loyalty.

Shakespeare highlights various themes relating to a character’s personality and stereotypes during the elizabethan time period. During Macbeth, Shakespeare extends the common theme by suggesting that many characters may be portrayed in a way that is not the reality of that character’s true personality. Many characters are deceiving and may not reveal their inner-self due to the predicted downfall of their image in society. This is the primary way that the other characters view others because they only choose to reveal the appealing side of themselves to life. Titles of the characters, speeches, and reactions to events create judgement from the reader and other characteristics in Macbeth, which displays the appearance v.s. reality