Theme Essay: The Tragedy Of Macbeth

1048 Words3 Pages

The Tragedy of Macbeth Macbeth, a tragedy, starts with a dying, bloody Captain talking about the valor with which Macbeth fought. How does this brave, devoted, valiant soldier become an insane, cold-blooded murderer, killing men, women, and children alike? The story of his downfall begins with his new-found ambition to become king after three witches tell him of his “imperial theme.” After fighting so courageously in battle, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis a title inherited from his late father, and fellow nobleman Banquo, encounter three witches. They greet Macbeth by his current title, by a title soon to be bestowed upon him, and last by the title of king. Immediately, Macbeth is intrigued by their prophecies, but unsure since the King and the …show more content…

After Lady Macbeth reads his letter and Macbeth arrives home, she is excited about becoming queen. She asks Macbeth when King Duncan is to be arriving and tells Macbeth to leave the plan up to her, his only job being that he has to look innocent and hide their true intentions. Macbeth seems to be stunned and nervous, telling his wife that they will talk later when she begins to tell him of her plan. In the seventh scene, at the castle, Macbeth speaks of the intense guilt he is feeling even before he is to kill Duncan; “… this even-handed justice/ Commends the ingredients of our poisoned/ Chalice to our own lips…” (1. 7. 10-12) (Shakespeare), “… He’s here in double trust…” (1. 7. 12) (Shakespeare), “… Besides, this Duncan/ Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ So clear in his great office…” (1. 7. 17-19)(Shakespeare) all express Macbeth’s discomfort with murdering Duncan to steal the throne. Not only does he convey these emotions during this monologue, but he does so when Lady Macbeth enters the room, saying “We will proceed no further in this business./ He hath honored me of late, and I have bought/ Golden opinions from all sorts of people…” (1. 7. 32-34) (Shakespeare). To respond to this, Lady Macbeth does what she does best: emasculating her husband. She first articulates her questioning of his manhood after she reads Macbeth’s letter in the first act when she says “Yet do I fear thy nature;/ It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness…” (1. 5. 2-3) (Shakespeare), which contrasts with the heroic description the dying Captain gives of Macbeth in the opening scene. After Macbeth tells his wife that he is calling off the plan to kill King Duncan, she

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth Essay

    554 Words  | 2 Pages

    Instructions: Answer all questions. Use your copy of the play to back up your answers with direct quotation where possible. Use the first answer as a guide to your answers. You must type your answers. (17 points).

    Read More

  • Macbeth Insanity

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Macbeth, William Shakespeare portrays Macbeth’s dishonorable political advancement to his downfall, as the acquisition of foreseen titles ends in his execution. While Scotland is fearful of the invading forces, Macbeth’s valor in the battle with traitors secure him the positions of Thane of Cawdor, as well as Thane of Glamis. Macbeth is a character of bravery and courage. In the beginning, one believes that Macbeth is a stable, rational individual, although when Macbeth discovers the weïrd sisters’ forecasts that he will continue to obtain ranks, an insane character emerges from within. Macbeth’s actions are based upon motivation and truly evoke an imbalance in his mind. Despite these factors, the imperative annihilation of Duncan proceeds Macbeth to a further state of insanity. Macbeth’s mental state transforms in the progression of the Shakespearian tragedy, developing a character that originates as sane, but then is driven towards madness through the tragic flaw of ambition; this is the result of (1) Macbeth’s likelihood to commit atrocities, (2) willful construction of figments, and (3) external pressures for pursuance of ill-advised intentions.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Punishment In Macbeth

    908 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lady Macbeth pressures Macbeth into murdering Duncan through emotional abuse, saying that he is a coward and not a man. This abuse causes Macbeth to feel emasculated and insecure, so he wants to prove himself to his wife. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth also uses Macbeth’s promise to her, making him feel guilty about not upholding their agreement. She wants him to feel as if he was breaking the vows of their marriage if he does not go through with the murder. Finally, by drugging the guards, Lady Macbeth convinces her husband that they have gone too far to turn back. She tells him that they would be destroyed if they failed so far into their plan. Although Lady Macbeth did not physically commit the murder, she manipulated Macbeth and convinced him that killing King Duncan was the right thing to

    Read More

  • Happiness In Macbeth

    1120 Words  | 3 Pages

    “When you durst do it, then you are a man.” (I, vii, 55)- Lady Macbeth is very conniving showing that she is willing to convince Macbeth to murder Duncan, despite the fact that she is unable to carry out the actions by herself. She is willing to jeopardize the safety of her husband in the pursuit of happiness, even though in the end without realizing that it will compromise that happiness. Lady Macbeth knew her husband was ambitious, but he was too kind. So she wanted to manipulate him into killing Duncan in order to fulfill he pursuit of happiness. During her soliloquy in act I scene v lines 13-29 Lady Macbeth states “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it… And chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round which fate and the metaphysical aid doth seem to have the crowned withal.” During this soliloquy Lady Macbeth states that she is going to convince her husband into taking action so that he can become king. This soliloquy shows that Lady Macbeth is the dominant partner, which is contrary to the stereotypical gender stereotypes of that time frame. This proves that once again that in the pursuit of happiness that Lady Macbeth is willing to take over the relationship in order to achieve what she thinks will bring her happiness. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth also lied in order to achieve what they though would bring them

    Read More

  • Who Is Lady Macbeth's Soliloquy In Killing Duncan

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this scene, Macbeth opens up with his own soliloquy debating on whether or not he should kill King Duncan for his own chance at the crown. Lady Macbeth ultimately convinces Macbeth to go through with her plan to kill the king and strategizes the whole ordeal. During Macbeth’s soliloquy his location is not specified; however, he must have gone to a secluded area in his house to have time to contemplate his decision as Lady Macbeth later finds him asking why he left the dining room. Macbeth can be categorized as faithful both to Duncan since he decides by his own accord to stay loyal to the king and not betray him. While Macbeth voices his conflict about killing Duncan, he says “We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me as of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people” (1.7.25–28). This demonstrates Macbeth’s lingering loyalty towards the king and his own conclusion to keep serving the king and the people of Scotland. Lady Macbeth can be categorized as confident and self-assertive as she convinces Macbeth to through with her plan to kill Duncan. When Macbeth tells his wife that he will not go through with the plan, she responds

    Read More

  • Examples Of Destruction In Macbeth

    1073 Words  | 3 Pages

    He writes to tell her about his granted title, the witch’s prophecies and his thoughts about the future. Macbeth even seeks Lady Macbeth’s approval and opinion on whether he should act on the prophecy. They are single minded in their ambition, and neither withholds thoughts or feelings from one another, including the willingness to discuss murdering King Duncan. At this point in the play, the audience can see that the discussion of the king’s murder begins to fracture the emotional connection between the husband and wife. The soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 5 shows the inner thoughts of Macbeth and while he does tell Lady Macbeth that he does not want to kill Duncan, he is not honest about his reasons. It is the first time that he has not completely confided in her. As the play continues, Macbeth leaves Lady Macbeth out of the plotting and planning as shown when he tells her to “be innocent of the knowledge” (3.2.46) of his plans to kill Banquo and Fleance. Other than allowing her to protect him from outsider’s view of his reputation, Macbeth has silenced his wife and no longer confides in her, indicating that their emotional connection has been broken. In the ultimate emotional separation, Macbeth shows no remorse for the loss of his wife when he hears of Lady Macbeth’s suicide and utters, "she should have died hereafter, there would have been a time for such a word" (5.5.17-18),

    Read More

  • Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

    563 Words  | 2 Pages

    Like humpty dumpty, Macbeth had one great fall. Tragic hero is a literacy character who makes a judgement error that leads them to their own destruction. A tragic flaw is the weakness of character that brings about a tragic hero's downfall. In the book of Macbeth by Shakespeare we see a character like Macbeth that fits these two definitions because he’s a hero torn by his flaws. Macbeth converts his good into evil which ends up destroying him. The three flaws that contribute to his tragedy are ambition, being easily influenced, and fear. This characteristics is important because these three flaws is what leads Macbeth to his own downfall.

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth's Manipulation

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before the murder, Macbeth is still considering the plan and the consequences if they fail, but is overpowered by his wife. She assures that if he were to “screw [his] courage to the sticking-place” (I, vii, 60) by following her plan, they would not fail. It is apparent that Lady Macbeth constantly overpowers her husband and accuses him for his lack of courage, which is a large factor for his yearning to act to prove his virility to her to give a sense of courage and power. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth is immediately consumed with regret and profound guilt, unlike his wife. The following two quotes show his guilt, that he is “afraid to think what [he] have done” (II, ii, 54). Also, he questions if “great Neptune’s ocean” (II, ii, 63) has enough water to wash the blood and guilt from his hands. Macbeth’s evident guilt after killing Duncan shows that he did not wish to murder him, but was under the influence of his wife. He may have wanted to be king, but not by the method Lady Macbeth manipulated him to achieve it, and was provoked to demonstrate his courage and manhood by following through with her plan for treason, which shows how easily he is manipulated and his inclination to prove that he is a man. Macbeth committing to his wife’s plan to murder the king shows that she has power over him, but also his desire to act in favour of her wishes to attempt to prove his power and masculinity to her, when in reality he is unknowingly manipulated by

    Read More

  • Manipulation Of Lady Macbeth

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    When the three witches had met with Macbeth, and then he had told his wife, he did not feel sure that murdering the King was right, although he was the King’s savior. When Lady Macbeth hears about the news, she awakens, starts to plot Duncan’s murder and backstabbs Macbeth to kill him. She tells him to ‘be a man and go get what he wants’. At this point, Macbeth doesn’t have a choice. When she thinks that she can kill the King, she cries, “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex

    Read More

  • Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    A “tragic hero” is both fair and foul. In our society, a hero is someone that does something good for someone and doesn’t ask for anything in return. A tragedy is when something bad/sad happens and it will eventually have a negative impact on people. Macbeth by Shakespeare is about a brave warrior, Macbeth, who receives a prophecy to be king. The prophecy slowly destorys the brave warrior he once was; his wife manipulated him into killing Duncan (the king). This leads Macbeth down a path of darkness. Which led him to his sad death, and him figuring out what led him to this. All those characteristics of the story of Macbeth shows that he is a tragic hero.

    Read More

  • Macbeth's Desire For Power

    1584 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macbeth is a brave general who fights for his country Scotland, defeating the King of Norway. He is loyal to his king Duncan, but Macbeth has ambition to take over the kingdom for himself. He has lots of doubts of if he is doing the right thing, but still murders Duncan and then Banquo who is another general who fought with Macbeth. These murders and guilt about his treason are leading Macbeth to become insane. This essay shows that although Macbeth’s strong desire for power is influenced by the three witches in the play and also the planning and ambition of his wife Lady Macbeth, in the end he is responsible for his self-destruction.

    Read More

  • The Dramatic Fall Of Macbeth Essay

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the American history of many heroic leaders an excessive want for the power, leadership, and territory is what led to defeat, downfall, and even death. In the beginning of the play Macbeth was a good man ,but influenced by Lady Macbeth and her question of his manhood and the witches manipulative accusations of becoming King of Scotland forced Macbeth to murder his way to leadership and his death. Macbeth was valiant and brave ,but was influenced by the witches, Lady Macbeth, and ultimately himself.

    Read More

  • The Themes of Macbeth

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the most important themes in Macbeth involves the witches' statement in Act 1, Scene1 that "fair is foul and foul is fair." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10) This phrase aptly describes the macabre status quo within the character Macbeth and without.  When Macbeth and Banquo first see the weird sisters, Banquo is horrified by their hideous appearances.  Conversely, Macbeth immediately began to converse with these universally known evil creatures.  After hearing their prophecies, one can say that Macbeth considered the witches to be "fair" when in reality their intentions were quite "foul." Macbeth's possession of the titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland came by foul means.  Macbeth became the Thane of Glamis by his father Sinel's death; he became Thane of Cawdor when the former namesake was executed for treason; and he was ordained King of Scotland after murdering the venerable Duncan.  Thus, Macbeth has a rather ghastly way of advancing in life.

    Read More

  • Literary Analysis Essay On Macbeth

    813 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is part of human nature to strive for excellence and to improve oneself. Generally, a person’s actions are completed with a certain goal in mind. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the protagonist, Macbeth, strives to fulfill his ambition of becoming the king. Everytime he completes a task which ensures he does not lose power, Macbeth immediately pursues another task in order to fulfill his desires, even after he becomes the king of Scotland. Macbeth’s thirst for power drives him to murder King Duncan, to plot the murder of Banquo, and eventually leads to his own demise.

    Read More

  • Free Macbeth Essays: The Downfall of Macbeth Macbeth essays

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth, the main character in William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth was not secure in his manhood. This insecurity led to the downfall of Macbeth because he felt the need to prove himself to Lady Macbeth. After he proved himself by killing Duncan, Macbeth became desensitized to killing.

    Read More

More about Theme Essay: The Tragedy Of Macbeth

Open Document