Changes in Macbeth's Character Essay

Introduction

Macbeth's character varies throughout the play. Macbeth changes from a good and loyal servant at the beginning of the play to an evil and tyrant servant who disowns his heads and betrays his closest people. The audience is given bountiful chances to analyze how the character quickly changes based on the circumstances surrounding it (Bradley 2). The shift in Macbeth's character is extreme. Shakespeare uniquely employs dramatic elements to show the change in Macbeth's role in the plot. This term paper seeks to highlight the circumstances under which the character Macbeth is exposed to hence leading to a sudden change in his behavior. It also explores the dramatic elements that Shakespeare has used in the plot to bring out understanding of different characters; mainly focusing on Macbeth by the audience.

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Brave and Loyal Character

In the beginning of this tragic plot by Shakespeare, Macbeth is hailed as a bold and loyal man to the throne. His fight against Banquo earns him numerous credits from the community and the king himself. His brevity in the play is expressed by his ability to face and kill the gigantic McDonald who has been continuously revealing the orders from the king. Macbeth further shows his loyalty when he takes commands of the king to go and face the Norwegian troops (Cop 4). He successfully trounces on them and captures Cawdor as the community traitor. His massive skills and the ability to face enemies fearlessly earn him a peace treaty and a favorable ransom from the king of the Norway territory. The king says, "O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman" to describe Macbeth. Such applauds from the king were seen as the highest form of honor. It plies that Macbeth is a society hero who seems unbeatable. Macbeth is further awarded a tile held by Cawdor, who is sentenced to death by King Duncan (Bradley 4).

The Tyrant Character

The ruthless ambitions of removing the king from the throne to occupy and command the society quickly turn Macbeth from a loyal subject to an extremely dangerous individual (Lambert et al. 8). The ambitions to be the king are mainly spurred in him by rebellious witches who plant the idea that he will be a robust and successfully king. While his bossy wife, Lady Macbeth, would become the queen. The rituals performed by the witches make Macbeth feel less guilty of the murders he has been commuting, including that of the king. Hence, he pushes on to become the occupant of the throne. On the other hand, his wife, Lady Macbeth, fails to accommodate the guiltiness. Her mind significant deteriorates and succumbs to madness. The feeling of guilty runs her mad in the plot (Cop 6).

Brainwashing

In the first act of scene three, the three common witches meet and interact with Macbeth (Bradley 7). They greet him as the Thane of Cawdor then Glamis and eventually as a king. During the era of Shakespeare, the belief in the power and control of witches was widely spread. This is evidenced in the plot by the hunt craze witch. The power of witchcraft was primarily used to threaten and undermine any form order and religious allegiance in the society (Bradley 8). Hence, it was never tolerated. Majority of the community leaders such as Macbeth believed in witches as he regarded them as executive figures within the society. His strong belief in the witches leads to him being brainwashed and exercised over by the power of the witches. The three evil witches stir up the corrupt desire of occupying the throne regardless of how it is achieved in Macbeth.

The character of Macbeth starts to develop in the way he interacts with the witches within the community. The seeds of ambitions that were planted into his head by the three witches begin to control his character (Lambert et al. 8). He quickly visits them and starts to believe them. Macbeth's character is shifted from a fearful person to a curl and unreligious person who has established himself as a close worshipper of the witches. His belief in the witches is strengthened when their prediction of Macbeth becoming the Thane of Cawdor is fulfilled. Later in the scene, Macbeth has announced the Thane of Cawdor. The fulfilment of the witches' prophecy makes him ponder upon the possibilities of the predictions said to him by the witches he has been interacting with often (Cop 9).

Emotionless

The changing of Macbeth's character further deteriorates when he loses his sense of feeling. This is evidenced when Macbeth starts convincing himself that the soliciting of the supernatural power cannot be ill and yield a positive impact in his life (Cop 8). He believes that the title of the Thane of Cawdor is earnestly given to him and the wit he has must be genuine through their prophecies. This thoughts further Macbeth starts to believe that if he commits any wring, and a positive outcome happens to his life, then it is not ill (Lambert et al. 8). He uses these evil thoughts to satisfy his selfish interests. The theme of balancing between the good and the bad is also clearly evident in this scene. In case evil prevails under any circumstance, the worst happens; hence, it is always best to choose suitable over evil, but Macbeth sticks with his ill ambitions of killing the king to occupy his throne. He further on fantasizes with the murder of King Duncan. "If chance has me like a king, then, the same chance will crown me without a stir." Macbeth lets the fate take its will without considering the impact and whether the murder he is planning in King Duncan is good or evil. The prophecies of the witches drive Macbeth and the belief that nobleness does not count infiltrated his mind (Cancienne 2).

Secretive, Angry, and Jealousy

Macbeth's character further tarnishes when the feelings of anger and jealousness fill his heart and mind. He starts to believe that it is the king of Cumberland, who is standing in his way of claiming the throne. Macbeth is well aware of the danger of fighting against the province hence wants to initiate deals with him before toppling him (Cancienne 2). He professionally masks his ill intentions towards the prince. He prays for light not to see his black desires within his heart. This implies that he is aware of the actions he wants to take. He clearly understands that they are evil and therefore, conceals them at all costs. Macbeth, in this scene, has already fixed his mind to the throne and is ready to murder the king to gain the throne. He is sure and decisive in his secrets. He is also becoming increasing deceptive in his evil quest to the throne (Bradley 5).

Considerate

In the seventh scene of the first act, Macbeth recollects him. The right side of him drives him into deep thoughts, which makes him question his conscience. He struggles with his feelings throughout the plot. He thinks of the high chances of regicide (Cop 10). He analyzes the consequences he will face and finds them to be significant; this slows down his quest for power and control of the throne. He reconsiders his earlier decision of killing King Duncan. He eventually concludes that regicide is a considerable sin which is punishable by the eternal damnations. He ponders of the plague of troubles that will haunt him upon evilly ascending to the throne. In his thoughts, he is aware that after killing King Duncan, he will be the immediate king, but the troubles that will follow will be his cause of downfall (Cancienne 5).

Cruel, Evil, and Indifferent

The seeds of ambition planted in his mind by the witches have significantly yielded. Macbeth states that he is ready for bloody instructions and that he has judgment where he is. He has successfully convinced his mind that he has to be the one occupying the crown, and the only way is by killing King Duncan (Cop 7). He is so focused on eliminating King Duncan at all costs. The murder of King Duncan is, and Macbeth is only waiting for the bell to ring for him to accomplish his evil motives. He sees a dagger which he has focused his mind on using to kill King Duncan. His mind is fully convinced, and he is ready, he believes there is no turning back. The bells that Lady Macbeth rings signify the beginning of King Duncan murder. Macbeth is now more identified as evil within his community. The ringing of the bell implies the start of his end of goodness. This is the final make or tarnish of his character. After this night, his role will be determined depending on the actions he takes after Duncan's speech. His animosity is compared to that of a wolf. He is indifferent and is ready to finalize his plot. He finally eliminates Duncan by the sword (Cancienne 3).

Bitterness and Jealousy

After murdering King Duncan and assuming the throne, he recalls that the witches who polluted his mind to kill King Duncan informed him that he would never have an heir to the throne. He remembers that it is Banquo who will have sons that will earnestly take the throne. His bitterness is evident as he feels he has sacrificed more than enough to the extent of murdering the reigning king to occupy the throne (Cop 5). He feels pity for himself despite occupying the throne that he has been seeking for a long time. He feels it was pointless, killing King Duncan. He seems to have come back to his senses and consciousness state of mind. He can judge himself that whatever he has done is wrong and much evil. He refers to King Duncan as a gracious person whom he has murdered. This implies that he has respect for King Duncan regardless of his greed. Even though deep in his feelings Macbeth feels the start of his demise, traces of guilt, fear, and regrets the actions he has committed to attaining the kingship, he is still ready to face and murder anyone who compromises his opinions Lambert, (7Kirsten, et al., 7).

Regretful and Depressed

In his statement, Macbeth says that he is sick at heart. This implies that he has a lot of regrets as to by the committed murder of King Duncan and the other people he killed. He is emotionally disturbed and depressed. Macbeth is even contemplating death. He states that he has lived long enough and its time to take a break. This implies that I ready to commit suicide despite him achieving the kingship. He has not gained emotionally and materially as he expected before attaining the throne (Cancienne 4).

Hopeless and Pessimistic

A significant alteration is evidenced in Macbeth's character. He has lost interest in life and its materialistic richness. He states that he must look forward to having nothing at all in life again. The desire to possess worldly belongings and power is now finally lost in him. His greediness is over, and no wishes are left in him. His pessimistic character is evident throughout the last chapter, where he has amassed all power, and any materialistic items are within his reach but desire not to have them (Cancienne 6). He regrets his actions and sees himself as valueless. He is demoralized and seems to have given up everything. Macbeth feels he has cheaply sold his would and entire worship to the devil. He is even afraid of associating himself with the witches who are a simple of all evils happening in the community. He distances himself from the majority of things and stays a beautiful life full of hopelessness. He has lost self-value to the people and himself. He sees his demise as he ponders of the eternal punishment he will face when he finally dies. It is not easy for a king who has all control to feel pessimistic and hopeless when he has all the desired before. What tops the hopelessness in Macbeth is the fact that he only killed King Duncan for Hi. To rule temporarily before the crown is transferred to the children of Banquo. He goes further to plan of killing not only Banquo but also his wife in an attempt to keep the throne to himself (Cancienne 10).

Conclusion

Macbeth is a character that has assumed many faces throughout the plot. From a devoted husband, loyal and rel...