Deliberate Choices In Macbeth

The Importance of Making Deliberate Choices in Macbeth

The butterfly effect is commonly talked about, yet underappreciated when in the present. Despite a choice’s impact being seemingly small, the accumulation of these small choices and the impacts they have made will make a substantial overall influence on an individual’s life, whether for good or for worse. In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Shakespeare has articulated that an individual's life is primarily determined by the choices they make, and thus every single choice needs to be made deliberately and thoughtfully. Macbeth had fallen to his demise from his previously admirable life as a result of the total disregard of the consequences of the planned murders of Banquo and Macduff’s

Macbeth is first introduced as the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor, a diligent soldier loyal to the crown. In Act 1 Scene 2, a soldier praises Macbeth for his ruthlessness against “The merciless Macdonwald,” (1.2.11) who is “worthy to be a rebel,” (1.2.12). Shakespeare’s use of adjectives such as “merciless” and “worthy” to describe Macdonwald enforces the strength Macbeth is capable of, as he won the battle against Macdonwald. For example, the soldier described him as “brave Macbeth” (1.2.18) who, in cold blood, “unseamed [Macdonwald] from the nave to th’ chops,” (1.2.24). This assertiveness and decisiveness presented by Macbeth, and simply his position as a soldier, conclusively demonstrates his loyalty to the crown and value as the Thane of Glamis, later Thane of Cawdor. His current position as Thane of Cawdor is not a stroke of luck; his willingness to kill to protect his country is arguably admirable and a decisive choice he makes. Evidently, he has worked hard on the battlefield to earn

For example, Macbeth says “...but, in their stead, curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not.” (5.3.30-33). Macbeth acknowledges the “curses” that everyone has for him but would not admit it aloud to him as everyone knows that the murders of King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family were planned by Macbeth. Thus, he is unable to enjoy the fruits of life, such as love, when everyone is antagonizing him (rightfully so) as a consequence of his wrongfully made choices. “Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,” (5.3.50-51) says Macbeth to the doctor regarding Lady Macbeth’s severe mental condition. Had Macbeth made the rational, moral choice to not kill King Duncan despite his wife’s persistence, it can be presumed that Lady Macbeth would be in a better position than of currently. The corrupted choices made by Macbeth were arguably a primary cause for Lady Macbeth’s death, as the guilt placed upon her heart from Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan drove her to what was presumably suicide. Macbeth, though, tries to rectify this consequence by asking the doctor to “minister to a mind diseased,” a thoughtful choice he makes for his wife rather than letting her die. However, this is to no avail as curing it after Lady