How Is Macbeth A Tyrant

Opinion of Macbeth in Act 3

Shakespeare's Macbeth is the story of a good man turned evil by a dark ambition he cannot control…

Macbeth is tragic hero whose character can be viewed from different prospectuses. It is wrong to categorise him as either a tormented man or a callous tyrant because in the play he is displayed as both. We see him digress from, at the beginning of the play a courageous man driven by ambition to become a cruel and arbitrary man.

I am going to examine Shakespeare's portrayal of the downward spiral of a man once called a "worthy gentleman" and now "fiendish hell hound".

In Act 3 the murder of Duncan has already taken place. During this murder Macbeth is apprehensive

Macbeth needed no persuasion, however to decide to kill Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance. He is worried that if the witches' prophecies are true his dynasty will be short lived and he will be replaced by Banquo's sons:

For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered,/ Put rancours in the vessel of my peace/ Only for them, and mine eternal jewel/ Given to the common enemy of man,/ To make them kings, the seed of Banquo Kings.

Here, although speaking sympathetically of Duncan he is already planning his next murder and is not actually sorry for his actions.

The planning of Banquo and Fleance's murders are cruel and ironic. It almost seems he is taking delight in speaking about Duncan's supposed murderers, Malcolm and Donalbain, knowing that he is the real killer:

Our bloody cousins are bestowed/ In England and Ireland, not confessing/ Their cruel parricide.

In the same meeting he invites Banquo and Fleance to a feast at his castle and obliquely asks what his plans are: "Ride you this afternoon". He also inquires as to Fleance's travel plans: "Goes Fleance with

She is describing Macbeth as egoistical, with thoughts towards his own ambition only. Macbeth will "spurn fate, scorn death, and bear/ His hopes 'bove wisdom grace, and fear; and you all know security / Is mortals' chiefest enemy."

She is saying that Macbeth will ignore fate, mock death, become arrogant, take his opinions before wisdom, grace and fear and rely on false security, which with hindsight we know will be his downfall.

In the last scene of Act 3 suspicions are arising about Macbeth, those who have sided with him, namely the late king Duncan, 'the right-valiant Banquo have paid for their decision. Lennox outlines for us why Macbeth is indeed a tyrant and his feelings are clear:

"May soon return to this our suffering country/ Under a hand accursed"

Many are now more suspicious of Macbeth than of Malcolm and Donalbain for the murder of Duncan. Macbeth may be in danger although he will not believe it.

Macbeth's downfall is himself, he becomes hubristical, thinking he can defy fate. He becomes brutal and but is tormented by his