More handpicked essays just for you.
Macduff in Macbeth
Characters obsessed with power in macbeth and how it affects them
Macbeth character analysis
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
The play entitled Macbeth by William Shakespeare portrays Macbeth, a loyal and brave thane to the king. When a prophecy reveals he will become king, Macbeth is overcome with ambition and greed. Convinced of this prophecy and the encouragement from his wife, he is able to kill the king and take the throne. Although Macbeth was able to obtain the throne, he was was overwhelmed by power and guilt leading to internal conflict, which suggests that success is not desirable through cheating and corruption and ultimately cost more than its actually worth, Macbeth`s reckless pursuit of killing and becoming the king is representative of the power he has and what he is able to do with the power he's gained; therefore. His relentless ambition for king reveals the guilt behind power.
Despite committing a number of abhorrent crimes, Macbeth’s morality is definitively ambiguous, or “grey,” “because he is so acutely aware of the horror of his crimes” (Charney). Even before his transgressions take place, Macbeth is aware of the “physiological and psychological” consequences the murder will have on him, “forsee[ing] the effects” of his wrongdoings with rightfully placed apprehension (Charney). This sorrowful character is not the one first introduced to the audience, as Macbeth is depicted as an exalted hero in Duncan’s army; however, though his visage morphs into one of a tyrant. During his metamorphosis into seemingly amoral ruler, Macbeth does not take pleasure in the carnage he inspires, contributing to the adversity faced through his remorse. Conversely, Macduff, who may be considered the protagonist by some, is not presented as wholly virtuous.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare writes about a man named Macbeth, who has a very strong ambition to be the the king of Scotland. His credulousness led him into believing the prophecy from the three witches without thinking rigorously. Because of this prophecy, Macbeth is willing to do everything he can to gain the throne, even to the extreme of murdering someone. Shakespeare uses syntax, similes, and personification to convey the evolution of Macbeth’s insanity.
William Shakespeare is considered as one of the best play writers in history. One of his most well known plays is Macbeth where a Scottish general named Macbeth has a strong desire to be king which leads him to betray and murder his king, Duncan. He also kills the nobles who have been loyal to him in order to maintain his title as king. Throughout this play, Shakespeare uses the motif of ambition, guilt, and fate to characterize the characters, show the different themes present within the play, and how the motifs are still relevant today.
The fact that Macbeth believes the witches’ prophecies are not evil nor good foreshadows how he will go on to kill any other person standing in his way to more power. His ambition blinds his mind to make him even think about ruthlessly committing a murder. This forceful way of gaining power will only lead Macbeth to become a “tyrant” in Scotland and his “fantastical” desires of killing Duncan and receiving the crown will lead Scotland to failure. Under Macbeth’s rule, Scotland seems to be in a terrible condition. With distrust among the people, there is tension all within the country, as Macbeth’s totalitarian regime had rendered the prosperity of Scotland.
One way Macbeth is presented as a powerful character is through his ability to single handedly alter the outcome of a battle. His immense power when fighting against the Norwegian rebels was described to be as if he was ‘disdaining fortune with his brandished steel’. This quote suggests that despite seeming as if it was fate for them to lose, Macbeth was able to surpass all expectations and triumph in the end. The phrase ‘disdaining fortune’ may suggest that Macbeth’s power was so great that it not only defeated the literal opponent in front of him but also the intangible force of destiny; this only emphasises his excellence. Furthermore the phrase ‘fortune on its damned quarrel smiling’ personifies fate as if it were an actual opponent.
At the beginning of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the protagonist Macbeth is described as ‘brave’, ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’, however Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeths desire for power consumes them. Macbeth’s ambition overrides his conscience and transformed his greatest strength into his greatest weakness. Macbeth’s inability to resist temptations that led him to be greedy for power, Macbeth’s easily manipulative nature which allowed his mind to be swayed, Macbeth having no self control and his excessive pride was what allowed him to renew his previously honourable and celebrated title into one of an evil ‘tyrant’. Macbeth is led by the prophecies of the witches after they foretell he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Not only the witches, but also his wife easily manipulate Macbeth as she attacks his manhood in order to provoke him to act on his desires.
Describing his kingship as a “fruitless crown” and “barren scepter”, Shakespeare further develops Macbeth’s understanding of the idea that
“I laid the daggers ready; he could not miss em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.” (II, ii, 11-13) Lady Macbeth is only strong enough to
When Macduff arrives in England to ask Malcolm for assistance on war with Macbeth, Malcolm explains, “What [he] believe, [he’ll] wail; What know, believe, and what [he] can redress, As [he] shall find the time to friend [he] will” (Shakespeare 4.3.10-12). Malcolm expressed his passion for his country and his ability to stay true to what he believes in. This conducts the first sign of courage established by Malcolm in the entire play; testing Macduff’s loyalty to gain knowledge on his true intentions. Malcolm does not follow in his father’s footsteps to prevent the same fate upon him, revealing a new virtuous side of the character. This quote proves he will do anything to right what is wrong in the kingdom, which indicates not only character development but bravery as well, especially when he joins his army to fight against Macbeth in war.
Throughout literature, we see human characteristics in our characters. Characteristics such as punishment, downfall, middling character, free choice, and nobility. In this play called Macbeth we see all these characteristics fall into place throughout the good and bad choices acted on by our main character Macbeth. The play demonstrates how power will make or break character and lead to his/her own destruction by possessing a few of these characteristics. Macbeth demonstrates both literal and figurative nobility as the plot beings to grow throughout the play.
In general, Shakespeare emphasizes that ambition for power and wealth can invalidate morality in human nature. Victory has sworn upon Macbeth and Banquo after the defeat of the king 's traitor Macdonwald. Shortly in the midst of returning home Banquo and Macbeth halt when three suspicious ladies came into view. One by one they told Macbeth his upcoming abundance of power.
What drives apparently good men to become ruthless, ambitious, jealous and greedy? We see an example of this in the play “Macbeth” performed at Pop Up Globe, directed by Tom Mallaburn, was written originally by the well-known author, William Shakespeare. Macbeth is based upon a big tragedy, where the two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, inevitably were forced to do evil things due to their ambition; taste the sweetness of victory and then downfall again. Although the play was written by an English author, Shakespeare smartly sets his story based upon the idea of ambition, a concept that relates to all of us, no matter where we are from. We have to admit that in our minds, the concept of power and ambition is linked to men.
The play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is seen as one of Shakespeare 's greatest tragedies. It deals with a man named Macbeth, who is introduced as a brave, strong war hero. He has the respect of the king and his peers. The predictions of three witches that Macbeth will become king begin Macbeth 's descent into his own downfall. The play is set in Scotland, written for King James I.
Macduff went to England to find Malcolm, King Duncan’s son, who fled Scotland so he would not be killed like his father. Macbeth no longer considers Macduff loyal to him and becomes apprehensive. Macbeth consorts with the murderers again to kill Macduff’s family, “give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (Act 4, Scene 1). When a messenger comes to deliver the news to Macduff, he becomes sad but Malcolm tells him “… Let grief convert to anger…” (Act 4, Scene 3).
