Examples Of Trickery In Macbeth

Macbeth: A Murdering Tyrant

Macbeth is a tyrant created through the bloodshed of victims who stood in the way of the one thing he needed, power. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, protagonist Macbeth, the underdog who takes the throne, murders various characters to get to his position. All the killing has come from various forms of trickery that affects his frame of mind and alters how he rationally thinks. Multiple characters have affected his intellect, such as the Witches and Lady Macbeth, but the biggest effects come from himself. Macbeth’s bloodshed through the play is caused by his desire of power. Macbeth comes into the play appearing responsible with title as well as kind, “It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness”

Lady Macbeth is not the one to help since she also believes the supernatural also want Macbeth to sit upon the throne, “Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown’d withal.” (I, v, 28-29). She wants royalty just as bad, “And, that which rather thou dost fear to do, than wishest should be undone, hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear.” (I, v, 23-25), so she starts to propose the murder of Duncan for the throne, since he is coming for dinner, which creates a good opportunity. Macbeth leaves the planning to Lady Macbeth but takes no chance to shut her down, and stop before someone dies. Macbeth starts to show regret and knows of the guilt to come if he proceeds, “We still have judgement here that we but teach bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th’inventor…” (I, vii, 7-10), but Lady Macbeth attempts to change his thoughts, making him follow through with the murder, “Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem.” (I, vii, 42-43). Lady Macbeth, manipulating Macbeth’s thoughts, convinces him to murder. He had the chances to say no before being guilted into murder by Lady Macbeth, who says she would not see their love the same if he did not murder Duncan. Men in the time period did have authority over women so he did not have to listen to her.

Macbeth, now with a complete change of mindset, is planning to murder Banquo since he knows about the witches. He wants the utmost protection but also from what the witches have discussed with him regarding the kin of Banquo becoming royalty, he needs to be cut from the picture so Macbeth can continue his reign. Macbeth, power thirsty, is going for other people and murdering all that is in the way of his throne, “…give to th’edge o’th’sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” (IV, ii, 150-152). Macbeth, now totally out of control, has become someone he does not recognize. He has undergone change to the point that he shows no compassion for his wife when she dies, “She should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word.” (V, v, 17). He has become someone he does not recognize from making poor decisions of not listening to himself from the beginning. He is responsible for the bloodshed he has caused to take the throne as his