Macbeth Literary Analysis Essay

Halley Beebe
Ms. Finley
Honors English ¾ 2A
2 March 2023
Macbeth Literary Analysis The future is often seen as untouchable--a permanent fate challenged by none. However, this notion is completely flipped in the world of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which follows nobleman Macbeth guided by his powerful ambition to be great. Halted by obstacles, three witches with the power to foresee the future give Macbeth an undeniable prophecy, that he himself has the opportunity to become King. This news begins a catastrophic turn of events, caused by Macbeth’s own unchecked ambition and heightened paranoia. Through the eyes of each character within the play, it can be seen that the supernatural motivates Macbeth’s actions to the utmost extent, which is exemplified

During a banquet with the majority of the Lords in Scotland--hosted by Macbeth himself--he starts to be overcome with paranoia and guilt as a result of his murder of Banquo. Suddenly seeing an apparition of Banquo walking across the table, Macbeth says, “Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee./ Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold;/ Thou hast no speculation in those eyes/ Which thou dost glare with” (Shakespeare 3.4.13-16). This quote is a major turning point for Macbeth’s character. The apparition of Banquo is a personification of not only Macbeth’s guilt of the murder but most importantly the vulnerability he now feels knowing Banquo’s son, Fleance, has survived the assassination attempt. Due to this apparition, and the accusatory eyes he imagines Banquo staring at him with, it can be argued that Macbeth’s reckless decisions stem from this supernatural encounter. Macbeth now feels threatened in his place as King, and this paranoia leads directly to his next decision of consulting the witches for another prophecy. Therefore, the apparition Macbeth sees is a direct cause of his further reactions and course of action continuing on in the

Overcome with paranoia, Macbeth seeks out the witches for another prophecy. Summoning three apparitions, they tell Macbeth, “ … Beware Macduff!/ Beware the Thane of Fife! … none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth … Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/ Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/ Shall come against him” (Shakespeare 4.1.81-82, 91-92, 105-107). Making yet another appearance in this play, the witches present a prophecy to Macbeth concerning his future as King. This prophecy is purposely misleading, giving Macbeth a false sense of security. Macbeth lets this good news dictate his actions, resulting in careless decisions on his part. However, it can be easily argued that without this supernatural interference, Macbeth would not have had such a detrimental downfall at the end of the play; he would have been better aware of his actions and thoroughly considered his methods before committing to them. It is truly Macbeth’s confidence that caused his eventual overthrow and death. Hence, the final prophecy the three witches deliver to Macbeth directly motivates Macbeth’s actions near the conclusion of the