However, once the notion of royal power is introduced by the Witches, the dam is broken and a cascade of corruption follows. This corruption leads to the murder of Duncan and Banquo by Macbeth. Once the thrown is obtained by Macbeth, more corruption ensues leading to his fear and neuroses. This destructive combination of fear and corruption leads to a wake of destruction for Scotland. Debuting in the play with auspiciousness, Macbeth slowly becomes corrupted by his new-found power, ambition and, most importantly,
(70-71) In Everybody's Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies, Maynard Mack explains that the witches are associated with fate: Except in one phrase (I.3.6) and in the stage directions, the play always refers to the witches as weyard - or weyward - sisters. Both spellings are variations of weird, which in Shakespeare's time did not mean "freakish," but "fateful" - having to do with the determination of destinies. Shakespeare had met with such creatures in Holinshed, who regularly refers to the supernatural agents with whom Macbeth has dealings as "the three sisters," or "the three weird sisters," i.e., the three Fates.
After a protracted discussion of the topic of who is to blame for the demise of Macbeth, the blame has come to rest upon the Three Witches. Within the play Macbeth, the Witches have done numerous things to cause the demise of Macbeth; influenced him through prophecies and apparitions, spurred his killing spree and manipulated him. From the outset, the Witches show Macbeth prophecies which lead to his downfall. These prophecies are the root of Macbeth’s misfortunes and evil doings, push Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to act upon their evil thoughts, and alter Macbeth from a loyal soldier to a traitor. First and foremost, the Witches were the root of Macbeth’s misfortunes and evil doings.
Besides Macbeth, Lady Macbeth also shows her character is deceiving by planning how Duncan will be killed. At the end of the play she dies because the guilt from helping to kill Duncan was too much of a burden on her conscience. Lastly, the witches are deceiving characters because they give confusing prophecies. Macbeth misinterprets the confusing prophecies which later lead to his tragic death. There are many appearances that show characters in the play Macbeth are deceiving, ultimately leading to tragedy.
Macbeth/Macduff Essay Macbeth is the main character, but also ends up being the antagonist. At first the reader tries to understand what he’s doing and have sympathy for him but as the play progresses we lose faith. Macbeth is a very bad character, but there are also other “foils” which we can compare to him. Macduff is portrayed as the good, respectable and loyal protagonist of the book, juxtaposed to Macbeth, who is evil, deceitful and a traitor. Macbeth’s wrongdoings are amplified by the kindness and loyalty of Macduff and the legacy Duncan left as a great king.
Macbeth is Responsible In Williams Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, there are many acts in which Macbeth proves that he is responsible for his own death. Macbeth is a tragedy involving the murder of multiple characters. Macduff physically murdered Macbeth; though Macbeth is responsible through his own actions. Macbeth believes the witches prophecies, and caves when Lady Macbeth pressures him to murder King Duncan. His own human nature, paranoia and selfishness are what leads him to his death.
So they will "hover" in the fog, and in the dust and dirt of battle, waiting for the chance to do evil. Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair" is a paradox, a statement that appears to be contadictory but actually expresses the truth. The witches are foul, but they give fair advice. Macbeth seems like a hero, but he is a plotter and dastard. It is quite interesting to note that the words of the witches will have an echo in Macbeth’s “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”.
Some of the imagery that truly appeals to the reader’s senses are the references to the stars, light and dark, and heaven and hell. In this play the stars represent the vast unknown and the heavens. When Romeo hears of Juliet’s passing he says, “Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!” (Act V, Scene 1, Line 24). Romeo is saying that he cannot believe in a God if they could take his beautiful wife from him.
During this encounter, the withes praise Macbeth naming him three titles, Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland. All three titles hold great honor leaving Macbeth yearning for the positions. By the witch sisters declaring Macbeth will possess these titles plants the thought in Macbeths mind which turns into greed; he would not let anything stand in his way to obtain these titles no matter the consequences. The greed Macbeth has come to have becomes apparent after the witches praising when he begs, “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more” (Act l, Scene III pg 307). Greed is the sin that causes Macbeth to commit murder; killing Duncan to secure the crown for his taking.
Macbeth is a great tragedy-themed play by William Shakespeare. Three witches decide to confront Macbeth that he will acquire the title of the Cawdor, which becomes true. The witches then predict that he will one day become king and decides to murder King Duncan, to fulfil the prophecy, with Lady Macbeth as an accomplice. The crown is then handed down to Macbeth. But later on, Lady Macbeth’s conscience begins to torture her and commits suicide, however Macduff kills Macbeth, and Malcolm is appointed King.