How Does Macbeth Change

Sydney Case

Mrs. Jack

English 10A

19 November 2015

Macbeth

Throughout the course of Shakespeare’s play, change becomes a very important theme within the lives of many. During a short period of time Macbeth, a loyal, wary, compassionate man changes immensely because of greed. Three witches meet with Macbeth and greet him as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and as The King. He was very confused because he was neither Thane of Cawdor or King. As the play proceeds, Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor and begins to believe what the three witches told him was true. He begins to obsess over the fact that he could become king one day and he becomes relentlessly violent enough to do just that. Macbeth becomes very greedy always wanting more and

Macbeth is not happy with being Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and a general of an army because he is so power hungry; he will not relent until the prophecy comes true and he becomes king. Macbeth became a very brutal man with malicious plans because of the despair this new way of living had brought him; his hope for a new future completely vanished. Macbeth lost sight of who he was when he started obsessing over everything the three witches told him. Greed played a large role in his life when he first decided that taking the Prince of Cumberland title was “a step On which [he] must fall down, or else o’erleap, For in [his] way it lies,” (1.4.54-55). He became very greedy at this point, striving for whatever would lead him down the path to become king, even the end to his relationships. Macbeth originally was a very good friend to Banquo, however he ruined it because of such selfishness. The avarice overran his mind and Macbeth became very irrational, eventually hiring murderers to slaughter his own best friend and his son. As Macbeth’s jealousy spikes, he decides it is reasonable to murder once again because he says, “No son of mine succeeding. If ‘t be so, For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind,”(3.1.64-65). Because Macbeth did not support Banquo’s family heir line, he chose to kill, however Fleance, Banquo’s son, escaped and still has a chance to eventually become king. As Macbeth’s sorrowful, evil-filled life continues, he loses sight of a future for himself. He loses all hope and wishes to be at peace. Because he never sleeps he thinks, “Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain peace, have sent to peace, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy,” (3.2.19-22). He longs for a chance to live a normal life like he once had, he yearns for peace. Because of the greed is Macbeth’s heart, his chance