Naturally, humans have a tendency to strive for greatness and succumb to power, regardless of the consequences or obstacles that may lie in the way. There is no doubt that the desire for such power can result in severe calamities. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the author portrays Macbeth’s character as determined and resentful in his soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1. Shakespeare does so through the use of metaphors, vivid imagery, and the concept of nature in order to portray the protagonist’s tragic flaw of reckless ambition.

As Act 3 commences, Banquo and Macbeth discuss the accuracy of the witches’ predictions, but Banquo proceeds to show suspicion of Macbeth. Macbeth expresses his fear of losing his crown shortly after through the use of metaphorical language. He begins by stating that “Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep” (50-51), portraying the idea that Macbeth has little trust in Banquo and believes that his crown is in jeopardy because of him. His feelings of mistrust develop as he states that the “dauntless temper of Banquo’s [his] mind” (54) has prevented Macbeth from having faith in him. In addition to Banquo’s courageous spirit, his sons lie in wait for the thrown, resulting in rage and panic overcoming Macbeth. His rage is conveyed as he expresses that he has murdered Duncan and has had “rancours in the vessel of his [my] peace” (68) put inside of him. The bitter-ill feelings that he is building up result in the contemplation of the idea of murdering