However, our opinion of him quickly changes in Act I Scene III when his true ambitions are revealed after an encounter with three witches and he soon learns that he himself will become king one day. During this key scene we see a seed planted into Macbeth’s mind which leads him into taking a murderous path. Through analysis and evaluation of these key scenes and in particular the characterisation of Macbeth, I will show how our view of him significantly changes throughout the entire play. In Act I Scene II we are led to believe that Macbeth’s character is a noble and loyal servant to his king as we hear of his courageous action on the battlefield: “For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name…” This is the first time we get a true in site into Macbeth’s character and we are told of his courageousness in battle. Shakespeare’s use of the word “brave” is used to give us a false impression of Macbeth’s true self.
They are both selfish men, led by irrational motives. Macbeth killed a good king; he speaks greatly of Duncan when he reconsiders murdering Duncan due to his good heart; “Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office that his virtues shall plead trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking off. "(1.7.16-20) Macbeth also happened to be related to Duncan but that still didn’t stop him from murdering him and fulfilling his prophecy. Under Macbeth’s rule, people were in constant worry due to the numerous assassinations and experienced food shortages. The narrator in ATTH, killed because he claimed the old man’s eyes resembled that of a vulture’s and that he felt uncomfortable because he also claimed that whenever they fell on him, his “blood ran cold”.
The Captain spoke to King Duncan about the course and outcome of the battles. The Captain describe Macbeth threw himself into the middle of the fray, and came out the winner all across the board for his King and his country. The Captain said he was “like valor’s favourite, he slashed his way until he faced the villain”. Duncan described Macbeth as noble and worthy of the title Thane of Cawdor. 4.
The fact that a man of such power as King James I was known to believe in demonology, influenced his subjects to subscribe to his beliefs. ‘Macbeth’ was written in 1605-6; the play contained all the factors that Elizabethans wanted in a drama, from demonology to the murder of a king, and it was a play that fitted in well with their everyday beliefs and contemporary issues. In act II, Macbeth is spoken of by others as a noble, courageous and almost like a living Scottish legend. He is highly praised by fellow soldiers, he is described as a ‘valiant cousin’, and ‘worthy gentlemen’ by Duncan. Receiving praise from a king is of such honour and prestige that few are worthy, and yet Macbeth is one of the select few who have the honour.
However, in a chain of events that status is quickly removed. As the play progresses Macbeth goes from a loyal character to a dangerous on because of his rising ambition for power, and his wife’s influence on his actions. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen much differently than he is by the end of the play. His social status is high because he is the Thane of Glamis and Cowder, and people like him because he is trustworthy and proven in battle. The King of Scotland says, “What be hath lost, noble Macbeth hat won” (1.2.
and quit my sight...Which thou dost glare with!”, a quote that displays Macbeth running in an endless stream of self-doubt and conflict over the death of Banquo. Many believe this scene to be one that of the king’s last sense of morality, the feeling of pain and hallucination of fearing the loss of power that murdering a friend seems justifiable. The lack of honor Macbeth held for his subjects continued on, his interests never aligning with the responsibilities of the crown, but who to be rid of in order to maintain it. Not even in the last few moments of his life did Macbeth hold honor toward Scotland or the respect that is entailed by his majesty. “Then yield thee, coward,” Macduff began in the final fight scene.
He knew he would be beat by then and instead of just surrendering, he put the lives of hundreds of people at risk because he was too proud and arrogant to admit defeat. Some people argue that it was ambition that led Macbeth to stay and try to fight because he honestly believed he had a fighting chance. Macbeth was very ambitious, but his arrogance took center stage in this case. He was so arrogant he honestly believed he had a fighting chance to get out with his life because the witches told him no one born of women could harm him. He was so arrogant he didn’t consider the possiblity of someone not being born of women and therefore he might be in real danger.
In other words the kingship won’t stay in Macbeth’s line with his kids being after him. To remedy this, Macbeth decides to send murderer to Banquo and Fleance so they cannot take the kingship from him. And Macbeth becomes bloody and bloody. Second, Macbeth is evil, because he continue his evil action although he really didn’t like what he did. Immediately after murdering Duncan, Macbeth experiences a combination of remorse and panic.
Macbeth started out as a good leader, but because of greed, he became disloyal, paranoid, and unstable. These things made him a poor leader. As early as Act One scene II we see that Macbeth is a good leader. A Captain returning from battle tells King Duncan of Macbeth's bravery. He tells how Macbeth led an assault on the "merciless MacDonwald."
Macbeth becomes king and in the beginning it seems great but of course, it all starts to crumble in time. Duncan, who were the previous king, was a good man and Macbeth begins to feel guilt while also being filled with fear, for what comes next. Because of the thoughts Macbeth has, grim leadership sours his reign and he goes from being a king, to becoming an evil tyrant. To protect himself, he takes upon him the role as a cruel leader who executes and murder people who he sees as threats. If people would be too suspicious, Macbeth would have them silenced because of the fear that is in him.