Change of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play

Change of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play

The play 'Macbeth' gives the audience plenty of opportunities to

consider the reasons for the main character's actions. In this essay I

will consider the many factors which contribute to Macbeth's descent

into evil; many factors play a pivotal role in deciding his ill-fated

future. With his wife's cajoling, and the three witches' foretelling

of his future Macbeth, will stop at nothing to gain position as King

of Scotland. Macbeth's ambition also drives this same will as well as

his feelings of fear and insecurity.

The witches and their prophecies are the first major influence on

Macbeth's actions. Macbeth is content with his position as Thane of

Glamis, until the three witches tell him,

"All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Glamis.

All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor

All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter."

This prophecy startled Macbeth. He believes that his title is still

Thane of Glamis; yet here he has just been told that he shall be King.

After hearing this Macbeth and his loyal friend Banquo find out that

Macdonwald has been sentenced to death for betraying his country, and

that King Duncan has named Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. After Macbeth

hears this news he begins to think that the witches' predictions will

all come true and he will be King. Although in the Elizabethan times

witches were seen as evil and part of the supernatural, this is

supported by the quote,

"Fair is foul and foul is fair"

This shows that Shakespeare wants the audience to perceive the witches

as evil as they believe that Bad things are good and good things are

bad. Despite this Macbeth cannot see through this and the witches

plant the idea of being King into Macbeth's thoughts, which encourages

Macbeth to consider his future. In the following soliloquy, Macbeth

shows the audience his initial plan to murder Duncan, so that he shall

have power to the throne, this will happen as previously Macbeth had