’s Internal Deterioration Essay, Research Paper
“Your own soul is destroyed when you are cruel”(King Solomon). Macbeth destroyed his soul over the course of William Shakespeare‘s “Macbeth” through his presumptuous ambitions and he murders he committed in order to become and remain king of Scotland. His downfall can be seen through Macbeth‘s actions, his statements, physical descriptions of Macbeth, and other character‘s statements. Macbeth‘s internal deterioration is seen in three distinct stages: the desire to become king, the murders of Duncan and Banquo, and Macbeth‘s acceptance of the fact that all of his actions have led him nowhere.
The play begins with Macbeth being praised and honored for his valiant efforts in the military. The Captain calls him“brave Macbeth” because he has slain the evil Macdonwald. Macbeth receives the title Thane of Cawdor for his accomplishment. Later, the three witches predict that Macbeth will become King. Lady Macbeth receives word of the prediction and develops a plan to kill Duncan. However, she is fearful that Macbeth, who is “full o‘ th‘ milk of human kindness”, will not support her and the plan. This statement reveals Macbeth‘s sweet nature and his affection for all people. It is this characteristic that Lady Macbeth fears will prevent him from becoming King. After Macbeth has agreed to complete Lady Macbeth‘s plan, he begins to have doubts. He develops reasons as to why he should not kill Duncan. He contemplates that he is Duncan‘s:
kinsman as well as subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife [himself].
Act I, Scene 7, Lns. 14-16
Through this soliloquy, Macbeth reveals that he is hesitant to kill Duncan and that it is not in his nature to impose harm to others.
The deterioration of Macbeth‘s conscious begins with the murder of Duncan. Through his actions, he begins to torment his mind. The murder of Duncan and the greed and paranoia that he gains from becoming King, lead him to murder Banquo and attempt to murder Fleance in an attempt to prevent them from seizing the throne. His mental decimation is seen when he believes that he is seeing the ghost of Banquo at the banquet. Ross describes Macbeth‘s mental and physical condition when he comments to the other people who are present at the Banquet that “his highness is not well.” Macbeth‘s further ruination can be seen when he describes his own condition to Lady Macbeth:
I am in blood
Stepped in so far that, should i wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o‘er.
Strange things that I have in head that will to hand. . .
Act III, Scene 4, Lns. 136-139
Through this declaration, Macbeth describes his realization that there is no way to recall what he has done and the mental problems that he his having as a result of the murders.
The final stage of Macbeth‘s downfall centers around Macbeth‘s admittance that his actions have led him down a path of ruin and devastation. Macbeth comments that “all [his] yesterdays have lighted fools/The way to dusty death.” Through these lines he asseverates that his mistakes – killing Duncan and Banquo- have ruined his life and are leading to a dirty, despicable death. He continues by saying, “ Life‘s but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/And then is heard no more.” These words are Macbeth‘s personal confession that his life no longer has meaning and purpose. The “brave” Macbeth has now become a “coward” and a “tyrant”.
According to Ann Landers, “ Hate is an acid. It can damage the vessel in which it is stored as well as the object on which it is poured.” Hate not only destroyed the lives of Duncan and Banquo, but the inner being of Macbeth. The metal deterioration of Macbeth is seen through his own comments, Macbeth‘s actions, descriptions of Macbeth, and the comments of other characters. Because of the jealousy, fear, guilt, and hatred that Macbeth experienced, he transformed from a kind, honorable man into an insane, vicious monster.
Bibliography
Shakespeare, Macbeth
Другие работы по теме:
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIf it hadn
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth If it hadn’t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo. Macbeth, also would not have been killed my Macduff. The three witches are the
Macbeth 10 Essay Research Paper MACBETHCHOICE 2
Macbeth 10 Essay, Research Paper MACBETH CHOICE 2 – Compare the changes in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as a result of the murder of King Duncan. How are they before the murder, and what happens to each of them
ShakespeareS Macbeth Essay Research Paper Illusion versus
Shakespeare?S ?Macbeth? Essay, Research Paper Illusion versus Reality in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Throughout the entire text of William Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth”, there is an evident struggle between reality and illusion. In the very first scene of the play, the Weird Sisters prophesize a future that Macbeth is assured will come true.
Macbeth Character Sketch Essay Research Paper MacbethMacbeth
Macbeth Character Sketch Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Macbeth is the main character in the play. In the beginning of the play he is a nobleman and Scottish general in King Duncan’s army. Macbeth later becomes the Thane of Glamis and Cawdor and King of Scotland. Macbeth is a man who is easily persuaded, brave, good-hearted, and overly-ambitious.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIn a tragedy
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth In a tragedy the main character rises to greatness, then continues to fall down a shame spiral which leads to their down fall.An example of a tragedy is Macbeth. Macbeth is driven up the hill of greatness a rise, then his untamed ambition leads him to death. The process of a tragedy is slow to let the audience become comfortable with the power and happiness of the main character.
Macbeth Vs Macduff Essay Research Paper Macbeth
Macbeth Vs. Macduff Essay, Research Paper Macbeth vs. Macduff The conflict between Macbeth and Macduff is very important, one which ultimately leads to the demise of Macbeth. Macduff, who at one point is very loyal to Macbeth, becomes Macbeth s adversary as time progresses.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Macbeth EssayFrom the
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Essay From the very beginning Macbeth has been a victim of the witches? prophecy and Lady Macbeth?s ambition. With no support he soon succumbed to the pressures of each.
My Presentation Of Macbeth Act 3 Scene
4 Essay, Research Paper 10Hn This essay will show my interpretation of Act 3 Scene 4 from Macbeth. This scene is a turning point in the play because we see the first glimpse of Macbeth?s guilty conscience, which becomes the cause of
Who Is Most To Blame For Macbeth
’s Downfall? Essay, Research Paper Who Is Most To Blame For Macbeth’s Downfall? I have chosen to write my essay about the cause of Macbeth’s downfall. I believe Macbeth had an immense build up of hatred inside him waiting to be
Why Does Macduff Kill Macbeth Essay Research
Paper Why Does Macduff kill Macbeth? Macbeth being murdered by Macduff represents the finale of Macbeth. The murder itself marks the end of a long struggle for power between the good (Malcolm, Macduff), and the evil (Macbeth). Many events hinted to the reason for Macduff murdering Macbeth. The murder of Macbeth was an inevitable act that was bound to happen.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper In Macbeth I
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper In Macbeth, I believe the story would have been completely different. Why? If it hadn?t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo.
Imagery In Macbeth Essay Research Paper Imagery
Imagery In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Imagery plays a very important purpose in the revealing of the character of Macbeth nearthe beginning of the story. It helps to reveal Macbeth as being brave and full of ambitionwhen the captain describes him like Valour s minion ( I, II, 20). This allows theaudience to see, without actually observing, just how brave a man Macbeth really is.
The Murder Essay Research Paper 121096 The
The Murder Essay, Research Paper 12/10/96 The Murder In the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches. The witches predict that Macbeth will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king. They tell Banquo that his sons will become kings. At that point Macbeth was already Thane of Glamis because of his father.
Character Analysis Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacBeth
Character Analysis Macbeth Essay, Research Paper MacBeth was a play written by William Shakespeare. It was actually written for King James I of England who was to attend the production. Because of all the immoral choices that MacBeth makes, this play was considered to be a morality play. MacBeth’s changes show what goes around comes around.
Is Macbeth Totally Savage Essay Research Paper
Is Macbeth totally savage? A question many have asked for years. I believe that Macbeth was not totally savage. Even though he did very cruel things and killed many people; all was not done just for the sake of doing so. He started with much greed like many others in the world but then only acted on these “fantasies” when his wife, Lady Macbeth, pushed him to do so.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Downfall of
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The Downfall of Macbeth Macbeth’s love for Lady Macbeth, in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, caused Macbeth to feel the need to prove his manhood, which eventually lead to his downfall. Macbeth was not secure in his manhood, so he felt the need to prove himself to Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth Witches Essay Research Paper Macbeth who
Macbeth Witches Essay, Research Paper Macbeth, who is hailed by the three witches as the ancestor of kings. Macbeth is an intelligent spiritual likeness of a villain-hero who feels his own guilt
Macbeth Downfall Essay Research Paper In Macbeth
Macbeth Downfall Essay, Research Paper In Macbeth there were a few factors that contributed to the degeneration of the Macbeth character. There were three factors that destroyed Macbeth. The main
Tragedy Of Macbeth From Macbeth Essay Research
Paper William Shakespear’s Macbeth is a macabre tale of the downfall of a noble man who goes from being revered as “O’ valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” (I,ii,24)at the beginning of the play to being reviled as “abhorred tyrant” (V, vii, 10) by play’s end. The play unfolds this downward spiral from heroism to villainy with some of Shakespeare’s most dramatic and descriptive language.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Destruction of
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The Destruction of Macbeth Three factors that are at work to destroy Macbeth are the flaws in his own character, the forces of evil of the Devil represented by the Tree Weird Sisters, and Lady
Macbeth Fate Or Freewill Essay Research Paper
In Shakespeare?s Macbeth, there is a question as to whether or not Macbeth is driven by fate or free will. The three weird sisters approach Macbeth with prophecies that will all come true in the end. It would appear that Macbeth is just following destiny at first. However, Macbeth always had a choice throughout the play to choose his own fate.
Lady Macbeth Is Worse Than Macbeth Essay
, Research Paper Lady Macbeth Is Worse Than Macbeth In my view, Lady Macbeth is far worse than Macbeth. Although they both think of murdering King Duncan as soon as they hear the witches prophecies, Macbeth thinks more about what he may or may not do, whereas Lady Macbeth immediately appeals to evil spirits to give her the strength to kill Duncan.
The Witches Are Responsible For What Happens
To Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Although Macbeth does take actions that lead to his downfall, I believe that he is not totally responsible for what happens. Although he takes the action that leads to his downfall, he perhaps would not have done this if the witches had not told him that he would be king in Act 1 Scene 3.
CompareContrast Macbeth Lady Macbeth Essay Research Paper
Comparing and Contrasting Macbeth and Lady Macbeth In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are depicted very differently and simply wanting kingship are among the few similarities. It is also interesting how the differences between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are caused by other differences in their traits, starting chain reactions of contrariety.
Macbeth And Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Macbeth and Oedipus Rex Analysis Oedipus Rex and Macbeth are both tragic plays. They have many similarities and differences. Some of them are in the role of fate, the characters, and the setting and the
Macbeath Essay Research Paper Anthony Sears12298Period 2Macbeth
Macbeath Essay, Research Paper Anthony Sears 12-2-98 Period 2 Macbeth Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are two megalomaniacs. Their actions in the first two acts are very childish and selfish. Their lust for power and control over runs their lives and becomes something to die for. Lady Macbeth is very persuasive, and Macbeth will almost follow her very word.
Lady Macbeth Essay Research Paper At the
Lady Macbeth Essay, Research Paper At the start of the play, Lady Macbeth seems to have a very strong character – almost stronger than Macbeth’s – but by the end she is reduced to being afraid of the dark. At the beginning she is Macbeth’s ‘dearest partner of greatness’, but at the end she is his ‘fiend-like queen’.
Macbeth Novel Essay Research Paper Compare and
Macbeth Novel Essay, Research Paper Compare and Contrast: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Ambition, the world?s driving force to achieve their goals. Ambition is a characteristic of human nature,