How Does Macbeth Change Throughout The Play

William Shakespeare, a famous playwriter and poet. He’s regarded as the most iconic writer in English literature. Shakespeare’s plays are a classic, read in classrooms across America. His play Macbeth takes the reader on a journey through the supernatural, betrayal, and death. In this tragedy, Macbeth contemplates his newfound prophecy and goes to extreme measures to ensure that it happens. In the midst of the chaos, he becomes a different person. Although it’s not just him who shifts character, many others experience major changes. This raises the line of inquiry, how does Shakespeare explore the concept of transformation in people and what sparks the change? In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses many literary devices to show how guilt causes

As the play progresses he becomes more aggressive and violent, having gone too far to give it up. After Killing the king, one of the servants cries out "God bless us". Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth what he heard, “List'ning their fear I could not say ‘Amen,’ When they did say ‘God bless us!’” (Mac.2.2.28-29). He can’t say “Amen” because of the guilt of the sin he has committed. The use of "Amen" and "God bless" are references to the bible, creating a biblical allusion. When people use "Amen" or "God bless" they are showing their connection to god. By not saying "Amen" it shows how guilt for his actions has affected his connection to god. This develops Macbeth’s character and how he feels about his actions. Through this characterization of Macbeth, Shakespeare furthers the concept that guilt generates change within a person. He adds to this concept with the use of blood. When Macbeth's actions start to dawn on him he says, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one, red” (Mac.2.2.59-62). He feels so ashamed that no amount of water could wash the guilt from his mind or hands, this exaggeration of the amount of water is a hyperbole. This implies that he feels like he has a lot of blood on his hands. Having "blood on your hand" often refers to being guilty of something, showing the reader how

While he’s losing his guilt Lady Macbeth is drowning in it. She goes from being ruthless and in control to guilt-ridden, on a downward spiral. When Lady Macbeth berates Macbeth on his hesitation to kill the king she states, “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have don to this” (Mac.1.7.54-59). She shows how extreme she is willing to go by saying that she would smash a baby's brains out, creating violent diction. She would commit this atrocity without a second thought, proving her to be very dedicated to the plan and willing to show it without guilt. This develops Lady Macbeth’s character and her dedication. Shakespeare’s characterization of Lady Macbeth showcases what she was like before guilt weighed on her mind. Despite how cold-hearted she is portrayed, worry starts to set in. While waiting for Macbeth she begins thinking to herself muttering, “Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy” (Mac.3.2.6-7). Lady Macbeth feels uneasy about life after the murder. The words “doubtful” and “joy” create juxtaposition. She is unsure of their lives, they might have gotten away with it and are living well but it could all disappear in an instant. Her guilt is showing in how worried she is about being caught. This