Macbeth Character Changes

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Human beings are one of the rare creatures that have the ability to evolve throughout their lifetime. Thoughts and personalities can change in moments, making it difficult to label and characterize one another. In Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the ambitious protagonist Macbeth and his wife often lose sight of who they are when facing difficult situations. Macbeth, the protagonist of the play starts off quite cowardly and afraid, while his wife, Lady Macbeth, is described as being bold and domineering. However, as the play progresses, the development of these two characters suggests that their personalities may have interchanged over time. The protagonist Macbeth is introduced into the play as a heroic warrior who is greatly admired. This is …show more content…

The witches all hail Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor, and conclude by hailing him as king hereafter. The witches’ prophecies come to life hastily, as Angus and Ross enter the scene, announcing to all that Macbeth is the new Thane of Cawdor. The realization that one of the witches’ prophecies has already come true forms caliginous thoughts in Macbeth’s mind – leading him to envision the things that he would have to do in order to truly seize the throne. Macbeth’s dark thoughts continue to flourish as he says “The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step/On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap/For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires,/Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4.48-51) His statement reveals the fact that he will do whatever it takes to get to the top. Macbeth’s thoughts and actions hereafter convey a whole new aspect of him, transforming him from a noble patriot to a man consumed by the notion of power. Although determination combined with immense ambition brings him great power - the tentative nature in his actions transforms his delight of becoming powerful, into his deepest inner

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