How Macbeth's Character Turns from Fair to Foul

How Macbeth's Character Turns from Fair to Foul

Shakespeare’s text ‘Macbeth’ is the tale of a man ruined by his own

ambition. The story of Macbeth is an example of power at the expense

of everything else, he begins the play as a strong character that is

greatly admired, however as the play progresses Macbeth's personality

and actions become more and more devious which eventually leads to his

destruction. His character changed from a ‘brave’ and ‘noble’ person

to a ‘dead butcher’. Following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth realises

that the murder has put him into the control of supernatural forces by

the witches’ this to the witches’ is seen as a game. The words ‘fair’

and ‘foul’ were first said by the witches at the end of act 1 scene 1

these words have a great effect on his character, one will discuss

this further in the essay.

William Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ between the years of 1603 and

1606. This coincides with the ascension of James the Sixth of Scotland

to the English throne whereby he became known as James I. James I

believed he to have special powers because he was king and he also had

an interest in witchcraft, apparitions and ghosts. The use of

witchcraft in ‘Macbeth’ relates to the topicality of these issues, as

Shakespeare’s audience would have been aware of these. During

Shakespeare’s life there had been much confusion in Britain regarding

the throne and religion. The country, therefore, knew only too well

the dreadful implications of revolution and chaos. This is reflected

in ‘Macbeth.’

‘Macbeth’ opens with an overwhelming sense of unease. The three

witches symbolise supernatural happenings, which adds to the d...

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...o. One believes his

down fall was his fault as without him nothing would have been

possible. Fate and destiny are possible factors but it was his own

judgement and decision making which led things to result how they

did. He was physically strong but mentally he had many flaws. People

manipulated these flaws but if they did not exist then none of it

would have been conceivable. If fate or the witches took

responsibility then they still chose Macbeth to do these wicked deeds

because of who he was and who they could easily make him. If fate

controlled Macbeth then fate also made Macbeth’s disposition. Without

Macbeth’s ambition none of the situations, which arose, could have

occurred the same. Therefore I believe Macbeth was the source of his

own downfall, which leads his character to being a foul ‘dead

butcher’.