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Through The Acts In William Shakespeare's Macbeth : Through The Acts

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Macbeth: Through the Acts

In William Shakespeare’s timeless classic “Macbeth” he tells a story of a man corrupted by ambition and greed and how it destroys him and those he loves. The main character Macbeth changes throughout the play leading up to his death in the final act. Macbeth’s character transforms from a honorable and humble man to an insane, lustful for power, and cut-throat tyrant.
The Decent into madness: Even within the first act the effect of war and the passion for conquest start to take hold of the protagonist’s mind. Affecting his outlook upon situations, and the outcome of those situations. “I am thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.” (act 1 scene 3 page 6 Shakespeare). This is stated by Macbeth near the beginning of the play, signifying the start of his slip into a state of paranoia and fear with a lust to kill. Throughout the play Macbeth can be seen talking to himself and addressing himself on issues affecting him and his followers. He is seen at one point talking to a dagger that lingers in the air. The dagger is very obviously a figment of his now beginning to break mind but is also a symbol of Macbeths murderous lust and acts as a guide to the king’s chamber. The dagger is not the only time Macbeths insanity is show through illusions, During the scene involving the feast at

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