The Development of Macbeth's Character in Act One

Macbeth is a dramatic play which tells the story of the downfall of a ‘Nobleman’ who becomes a ‘tyrant’. In Act one Shakespeare introduces the characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth using a range of dramatic devices.

In the opening scenes of the play, Shakespeare introduces Macbeth as a war hero, and a trusted advisor to the king. He also indicates that Macbeth is a more paradoxical character than is initially thought, by associating him from the start with evil and treachery. The dichotomy of Macbeth’s nature is

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

In Acts 1 and 2, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as brave by the way that others describe him. Before the entrance of Macbeth onto the stage, the audience learns how brave Macbeth has just been on the battlefield in honour of his king. He is called ‘brave Macbeth’ because ‘he deserves that name’, we learn about his valiant character by the ways that

Just as the character spectrum flows from hero to villain, Macbeth also gradually makes his way down the line. In the very beginning of the play (before making his appearance), Macbeth’s fellow Scots and lords praise him for his loyalty and noble deeds. Here, it is made clear that the public initially views him as a heroic figure who is loyal to Scotland; “for brave Macbeth, (well he deserves that name)”(9) Admittedly, Macbeth does unseam a man “from the nave to th’ chops”(9), however this is considered an act of valor in the service of his country and his king. However, Macbeth’s loyalties soon become questionable, as he plots to and then commits the murder of his honored king, Duncan. At this point, the audience

In the beginning, the audience and the characters all see Macbeth as a righteous brave warrior. First, when the captain explains to Duncan that during their battle against the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth and his friend Banquo are " as sparrows eagle, or the hare the lion"(I.ii.39"). The captain is comparing Macbeth to an eagle who fights a sparrow, or a lion fighting a hare, this shows how he is a great strong and righteous opponent because he was fighting for the noble King Duncan, and because he was such a strong fighter he is compared to a lion fighting a weak hare. However, this bravery is shifted to his ambition from his desire of power. Thus, the audience starts to understand Macbeth's ambitions when he starts to want more dominance than he currently has. He compares himself to a horse as he thinks the only thing he has is his “Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself”(I.vii.27). This comparison shows how a noble creature is corrupted by his ambition This shows Macbeth’s personality, and how he may start to develop now that he understands that part of himself. Shortly after, his

At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is introduced as a brave war soldier; whose fame on the battlefield wins him a great honour from King Duncan and others around him. Macbeth is described by the captain as “brave Macbeth... Till he fac’d the

Humans typically tend to be greedy and take everything for thierself, but Macbeth goes above and beyond to make sure his heart’s desires are fulfilled. Power changes him into a pretentious person and forms a need for more jurisdiction that is unquenchable. The neverending loop of murder that Macbeth gets trapped in causes his excessive pride and ambition to grow leading him to his downfall. Macbeth is a tragic hero because he widley models a tragic flaw of ambition and he displays a large amount of excessive pride, causing him to ultimately become

     Macbeth is shown as a vigorous war hero in the opening scene. “And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak for brave Macbeth.” (1.2 16.18) The captain expressing the braveness of great Macbeth in Scotland’s battle with the invading Norway hordes. It didn’t take long for the people of

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 reading the play, Macbeth changes a lot from being a man of loyalty and honesty, to a man of whom is power hungry and greedy. This shows how the more power you receive the more power you want; which in many cases, such as this one leads to destruction. Many of the choices that Macbeth made were influenced by the power that he had, and this power began to take over him. This then lead to greed and destruction of not only others, but himself as well.

Throughout reading the play, Macbeth changes a lot from being a man of loyalty and honesty, to a man of whom is power hungry and greedy. This shows how the more power you receive the more power you want; which in many cases, such as this one leads to destruction. Many of the choices that Macbeth made were influenced by the power that he had, and this power began to take over him. This then lead to greed and destruction of not only others, but himself as well.

Shakespeare’s characterization of Macbeth and his consequences reveals his warning about ambitions and its downfalls. Macbeth begins as a noble man who’s ambition ruins him and his true self, leading to his inevitable death. In Act I, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an accomplished man whose lust for more is fueled by his wife’s ambitions. At this point in the play, Lady Macbeth commonly challenges his masculinity to drive his ambition to kill King Duncan and acclaim the throne of Scotland: “Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art desire?” (P. 29). Conversely, by Act III, Macbeth’s ambition is self-driven because of the prophecy making him loses his sense of morality, and become corrupt. One such action is the murder of Banquo, Macbeth’s “noble partner” (P. 17): “Who wear our health but sickly in his life, which his death were prefect” (P. 56). Banquo’s murder serves as the beginning of Macbeth’s crumbling edifice, as for each murder he commits, he falls deeper into the world of deception.

Macbeth’s impulsiveness and need to feel self worth have always caused him to do unspeakable actions. I have been married to Macbeth for what seems like ages, and in that time I have come to notice that he is never happy with what he has. Always trying to look for ways to prove his worth. Thus, Macbeth wouldn't be Macbeth “without [his] ambition” (I.v.19) of being someone greater. He joined the brutal military to prove his strength and bravery, rose to thane of Glamis to prove his power, and I has not stopped since.

Macbeth’s mental and moral deterioration throughout the play engages the audience illustrating how guilt overwhelms his conscience He believes he hears voices crying “Macbeth has murdered sleep” this demonstrates how he is battling against his morals and his ambition. His good qualities are battling his bad thoughts and this is the main reason for his mental downfall which makes for a deeply engaging plot. Macbeth goes from being a man of bravery, strength, honour yet he slowly loses these qualities. He once believed that killing a good man was an evil, un-worthy thing to do yet by the end of the play he is killing the people he once had close relationships with to get himself out of the mess that was dragging him deeper into despair and tragedy. This process is enthralling for the audience who cannot resist watching him go to any length to save himself as his morals go into deep decline. Ambition has completely taken over him in the soliloquy in which he states; “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleap itself and falls on the other.” In this instance Macbeth is interesting because he realises that the only thing that is making him want to kill Duncan is