Macbeth: The Transformation of a Man

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Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, Macbeth, has also been considered his most powerful. Throughout the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth battle their hunger for power as well as their guilty consciences. Macbeth is too kind to commit the deeds necessary to take the throne, but he is ultimately influenced by the witches’ prophecies, his wife’s encouragement, and also his own deep wish to be king. Macbeth must then deal with the consequences of his terrible actions, and Lady Macbeth’s guilt grows so unbearable that she commits suicide. Shakespeare’s famous soliloquies help the reader to understand the feelings behind the characters’ actions. Macbeth’s soliloquies in Acts II and III show the reader a prominent shift in his character that is very important to the play.
In Act II, Macbeth contemplates the murder of Duncan as he waits for the bell to ring that will be his signal from Lady Macbeth that it is time. He believes that he sees a dagger and that it is stained with blood. Clearly Macbeth is reluctant to kill the king. “Witchcraft celebrates pale Hecate’s offerings” (2.1.51-52). Here, Sh...

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