Change of Heart Shakespeare’s Macbeth really helped me understand the severity that people can change under certain circumstances. The main character, Macbeth, begins as a very respectable and moral person, but by the end of the story he has become a murderous tyrant. It’s hard to tell if Macbeth would have had the same fate if he had never heard the prediction of his future from the three witches. If Macbeth had never heard what the witches had to say, would he have still become king? Or would he have never found the courage to murder for his own personal gain?
Macbeth and Banquo are two very important characters in the play. Now, both of these characters are introduced into the play in the same way; they are returning war heroes who have fought off Scotland’s enemies. However, when both Banquo and Macbeth are given prophecies by the three witches they react differently to these similar fates. This in turn brings in Banquo as the character foil to Macbeth. They both have various similarities and differences and these comparisons say a great deal about both of their characters.
As the play begins, Macbeth and Banquo are friends and comrades in arms, both Scottish noblemen and valiant defenders of King Duncan. The first description of them concerns how fiercely they had recently fought together to defeat the forces of the King of Norway and Macdonwald, a traitor to the King. Macbeth and Banquo together encounter the witches on the heath where Macbeth hears their prophecy for the first time. Banquo reacts as a friend would at the sound of Macbeth's good fortune, then seeks to know his own future. Shortly after, Banquo warns Macbeth of danger, explaining that the witches may not be trustworthy: And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence.
* Often certain things trigger specific human behavior, for example, Macbeth’s reaction to the witch’s predictions triggered instant doubt, and left him vulnerable to his wife influence. After committing the first crime, Macbeth’s behavior ultimately became over confident, and evil, and this was ultimately due to the reaction that was triggered by the witch’s predictions. * However, prior to the beginning of Macbeth’s self destruction, Macbeth had morals and was a very loyal man * Another message that can be taken from this play is that even the best of the characters can fall and ultimately become the villain. * “Quote” * Link to topic Para 2: Desire and hope for power can be dangerous * Macbeth’s hunger for the throne of the kingdom took over him, and his morals, which prevented him from doing otherwise. * When someone is so desperate for something like this, usually they will do anything to reach their destination.
This is reinforced by his rejection of imagery through the us use of personification, “whose horrific image doth unfix his hair” which shows Macbeth is a man who is sensible enough to dismiss the prophecy, however, he has also thought about what he can do to become King. Shakespeare has given us a shaded image of Macbeth, no longer is he just a noble, obedient soldier of Duncan, but he is a man who is attracted to power, with great ambitions.
Ambition has an immediate effect on Macbeth right from the start of the play. His ruthless seeking after power is the tragic flaw that causes his downfall. When the witches tell Macbeth that he will become King, his interest is instantly aroused. The third witch greets Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter,” this creates an ambition in Macbeth that is unseen before this remark. He is filled with thoughts of betrayal and is eager to become King.
Therefore, this essay will give evidence to show that trust is a vital element in Shakespeare’s Macbeth as well as an indispensable motif Shakespeare wants to reveal. Trust in Macbeth is a very important element to push forward the plot development. In other word, trust is an important reason for many deeds of different characters. For example, in Act I Scene VII, after Duncan sleeps in Macbeth’s castle, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to murder the king. There is a long monologue of Macbeth: “… He's here in double trust; First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself….” —1.7.15-19 Here, Macbeth tells us the double trust of Duncan.
Now in the play, Macbeth starts off as a loyal, courageous, stereotypical, drone like war hero but once a group of witches put this idea in his mind that he could become king, he starts spiraling downhill. For days he pondered whether to let nature take its course and let fate decide, or intervene and take matters into his own hands. He kills the King, takes the throne, but becomes paranoid and belligerent. Soon after this change, a rebellion forms who goes after him and kills him. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth showcases how one’s desires can change him, bring out the true primal instincts in a man; and as the play progresses, this change becomes quite evident.
Macbeth’ and lady Macbeth’ reactions to the witches prophecy. Macbeth, coming from the battle won, appeared as a strong man, a great warrior who deserve and like his actual position. His wife, lady Macbeth, is very ambitious and has a certain passion and lust for power. The apparition of the three witches to claim and announce their prophecy to Macbeth had an essential role in the play: « All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, thou shalt be King hereafter » was the first prophecy of the three witches in the third scene of the first act, which predicates Macbeth as a future king. However, Macbeth and lady Macbeth had a different interpretation and reaction to this prophecy.
It is the combination of these key ingredients and mysteries that make Macbeth so compelling. Indeed, one of the most compelling things in the play is Macbeth himself. As the plays titular character, one would expect him to play a large part but the ways in which he compels the plot and reader go above and beyond expectation. Throughout the course of the play, we see Macbeth’s journey from a highly regarded battle hero to a despised tyrant, from a level headed army captain to a cold impulsive King. We witness this through the comments of the other characters in the play.