preview

Macbeth Conflict Analysis

Decent Essays

Conflict and Tragedy Within Macbeth
Conflict is an important element to any story. It enhances and creates tension that makes a story more interesting as well as the interaction between characters. In Macbeth the conflict is constantly ongoing within people as well as between people. The conflicts that enhance the tragedy in Macbeth are the Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal to his country, Lady Macbeth’s struggle with her desire for power and her guilt, Macbeth’s fight with his over vaulting ambition, and Macduff’s suspicion of Macbeth.
The Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal to his country at the beginning of the play sets the tone for the rest of it. The Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal foreshadows how Macbeth will betray his noble King Duncan. Shortly after the …show more content…

Lady Macbeth is the root for the beginning of the tragedies in the play due to her very power hungry mind. When Lady Macbeth finds out about the prophecies she is so focused on the fact that Macbeth can be King and that she can be Queen and is willing to do anything to get it even if it takes wrong actions and deeds to do so. Lady Macbeth says “thou’dst have, great Glamis,/ That which cries, Thus must thou do, if thou have it,/ And that which rather thou dost fear to do/ Than wishest should be undone”(1.5.21-24). Macbeth has just been named Thane of Cawdor which is a great honour. Lady Macbeth wants more and is willing to do whatever it takes to get to that next level of being King and Queen no matter of what honours has just been given. Lady Macbeth had too much ambition and too many evil thoughts and overall it is too much for her to handle. After all murders Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and reciting word she said on the night of King Duncan's murder. The doctor hears and sees Lady Macbeth and even says “Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds/ Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds/ To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets”(5.1.66-68). After thinking she was so strong, after commiting and helping with the murder, she has caused so much tragedy and truly enhanced it and ultimately changed Macbeth and it is all too much for her to handle which overall leads …show more content…

reality leads to his automatic and constant suspicion of Macbeth. In the first scene of the play the witches say” Fair is foul, and foul is fair,”(1.1.11). Macbeth at the beginning of Macbeth seems fair but turns out foul, Macduff seemed to know this from the start. When Macbeth was to be crowned King in Scone everyone was going but Macduff did not and when asked if he were to go he said “No, cousin, I’ll to Fife”(2.4.47). Macduff not wanting to go to Macbeth’s coronation makes it seem as if he does not think Macbeth is a worthy king and did something bad to King Duncan to get there. In addition Macduff going to England to help Malcolm create an army enhances the conflict between him and Macbeth. Macbeth hears the news that Macduff is in England he then says “The castle of Macduff i will surprise;/ Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o’ the sword/ His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/ That trace him in his line.”(4.1.164-67). Macbeth is angry and is now not even going to think before he acts and kill Macduff’s family. Macduff going to England to help Malcolm upsets Macbeth as he had Macduff’s family murdered because of it. Macduff fleeing to England as well as the reaction from Macbeth enhances the tragedy in the inevitable battle between these two characters which all ties back to the suspicion and knowledge of Macduff. Macduff’s progressional suspicion of Macbeth and his ability to overcome appearance vs.

Get Access