Depth and breadth are two qualities that make Macbeth great literature. Depth is how deeply the experience or tale reaches into the human soul or spirit. Breadth is how broadly the experience or tale reaches across many cultures and across the centuries. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, caution and wisdom in dealing with the temptations of evil, integrity, and wariness in trusting others help the play to become great literature.
Caution and wisdom in dealing with the temptations of evil qualifies Macbeth as great literature. Throughout the first part of the play, Macbeth lacks caution and wisdom in dealing with the temptations of evil. Macbeth believes the witches when they say he will “be King hereafter” (Shakespeare 1.3.50). Macbeth becomes
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After the witches tell Macbeth the will become King, he immediately loses his integrity. Macbeth and his wife decide to kill the King, so he can become King. During a banquet, after the King declared his son Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth talks to himself and tries to decide wether to kill the King or not. Throughout his decision, Macbeth comes up with three reason not to kill the King, but only one reason to kill him, vaulting ambition. He eventually goes through with his plan and kills the King. Macbeth was named King shortly after. Because Macduff did not attend his coronation, Macbeth assumed he couldn't trust him, so he ordered to “give to th’ edge o’ th’ sward his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his lane” (4.1.151-53). Macduff and Banquo, unlike Macbeth, had integrity. Macduff, once he heard Macbeth was going to be King, went to England to tell Malcolm about Macbeth. When Macduff arrived in England, Malcolm didn't think he could trust him. Malcolm tests Macduff to make sure he can trust him. Malcolm, after multiple tests, knows he can trust Macduff. Banquo, one of Macbeth’s trusting friends, eventually knows he can not trust Macbeth. Banquo knows how bad Macbeth wants to be king, and he knows Macbeth will do anything to become king. When the King was killed, Banquo knew that Macbeth did something wrong. When Banquo tells Macbeth that “it was said it should not stand in thy posterity, but that …show more content…
Throughout the play, Macbeth seems to trust almost everyone. Macbeth trusted the witches prophecies of becoming “Thane of Cawdor” (1.3.49) and “King hereafter” (1.3.50) right after they told him. The witches prophecies blurred his conscience from making the right decisions. Later on in the play, Macbeth went to the witches to get information about the future. The witches show him three apparitions to tell his future. The apparitions told him to fear macduff, no woman born would hurt him, and he will not be conquered until the Birnan woods reached his castle. Macbeth believed that he could never be overthrown or killed. What he didn't notice was Macduff was a cesarean baby, and, eventually, Macbeth was killed by Macduff. Banquo, unlike Macbeth, was cautious when it came to trusting people. Banquo didn't believe the witches when they said to him that “thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.67). Later on, Banquo doesn't trust Macbeth because he knows he wants to be king so bad that he will do anything. Banquo knew something was wrong when the King was killed, because it was very suspicious. He knew Macbeth did something
Through the soliloquy, the audience gains insight into Macbeth’s innermost thoughts. He names multiple reasons as to why he should not kill King Duncan, noting that Duncan is his guest, kinsman and a good king. He also admits that the only motive he has is the “Vaulting ambition” residing inside of him. Here he names his own hamartia, his fatal flaw, and acknowledges that to give in and commit such a deed, would result in his “deep damnation”. While still undecided on the matter, Lady Macbeth enters, and, seeing his indecision she decides to manipulate him into the decision that suits her; for after all, she is almost if not as ambitious as her husband. By questioning his manhood, his bravery, even their marriage, she successfully leads him to make the choice to kill the king. We now must realise that although the witches’ prophecies and Lady Macbeth’s taunts were a catalyst for Macbeth’s treachery, they never force him to make these errors in judgement; it must have been something that was already inside of him that caused him to decide this. There must have been some inherent evil already a part of his character.
Although some may argue that Macbeth is responsible for King Duncan's death because he was the one to murder him, Banquo is actually the one to blame because he could have stopped it from happening. From the second the witches told the men their fortune and the prophecies came true, Banquo knew that things would end poorly, "All’s well. I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: To you they have showed some truth." (Act 2, Scene 1). Why would Banquo be dreaming about the witches and wondering if Macbeth was alright unless he was questioning how Macbeth received the witches' predictions? As one of King Duncan's most trusted men, Banquo should have notified the King of the witches and the fortunes they told. Truth be told, one can't help but wonder if Banquo wanted to see
Banquo won’t support Macbeth if he get to crown immorally. Macbeth didn’t listen to Banquo. He listened to the evil instead of following his conscience. The witches also told Macbeth to fear Macduff. After Macbeth heard this, he killed Macduff’s whole family. He believed everything that the witches told him, instead of overriding their prophecy and following his morals. Instead of doing the right thing, he committed multiple murders to try to cover up the previous ones.
He realizes that if he want to start his own dynasty, then he will have to have control of all the variables. Then Macbeth began to think, “For Banquo’s issues have I filed my mind;/ For them the gracious Duncan I have murdered” (Shakespeare 85). He realizes that he has set himself up to fail. He is cleared a path to the crown for Banquo’s kin. Macbeth goes on to state, “He chid the sisters/ When first they put the name of king upon me” (Shakespeare 85). This give the readers the thought that Banquo is jealous of the king. Macbeth, not wanting to risk his crown, calls for some outside murderers. As I stated earlier, Macbeth knew he must get rid of Banquo and his sons. He succeeds in having Banquo killed, but Banquo’s son, Fleance (the one person Macbeth needed to kill), escapes.
“The prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to see” (Shakespeare 1.4.48-53). Since the King is still alive, Macbeth decides to either give up or try to become king. “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly. If the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch with his surcease success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come” (Shakespeare 1.7.1-25). Macbeth knows that killing the king is wrong but he is still contemplating on killing him just to become
First, it is Macbeth’s thirst for power, coupled with Lady Macbeth’s manipulation of him, that drive the murder of KIng Duncan. As Banquo becomes suspicious and as Macbeth becomes increasingly troubled by the witches’ proclamation that Banquo will be the father of kings, Macbeth convinces himself that Banquo must be killed, proclaiming “For Banquo’s issue I have filed my mind [...] the seeds of Banquo kings (III.i.70-75).” Macbeth is paranoid of losing his new-found power to Banquo. This fear is so stout that it drives him to solicit the murder of his most loyal friend. As his morality devolves further, Macbeth senses disloyalty from Macduff, and he resolves to murder MacDuff’s entire family. In Act IV, Macbeth says, “But yet I'll make assurance double sure,/ And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; (IV.i.94-95).” Even though the prophecy seems to assuage Macbeth’s fears of losing power, he still plans to kill MacDuff, supporting his further descent into corruption and evil- all driven by his thirst for
Macbeth wants to know more from the witches, he doesn’t think that what they are telling him is enough because he know he will eventually be Thane of Glamis, by his father’s death (inheritance) but he doesn’t understand how he will be Thane of Cawdor. Banquo wants to know more from the witches because he believes that they can see into the future. He is not scared of what they have to say to him. He is skeptical of them. Macbeth is hard to satisfy, even when things seem to be in his favor, Banquo doesn’t know if he truly believes that the witches were real, and that what they say was true, but he wanted to know in case it might have been
Macbeth fears Banquo’s descendents will take his kingship. He thinks that Banquo should be murdered to stop it from happening, “And though I could / With barefaced power sweep him from my sight / And bid my will avouch it” (3.1.134-136). In the quote, Macbeth is says that he would kill Banquo and offer his desire for Banquo’s death as sufficient justification for killing him (Shakespeare 88). Macbeth does not murder Banquo but cons murderers into committing the violence. Macbeth is not thinking clearly though because he would know that violence only breeds more violence. The murderers kill Banquo and further continue the
In these lines, Macbeth realizes that if he doesn't do something to Banquo, Banquo’s sons will become Kings. Therefore, Macbeth can't let this happen because is already really worried that his soul will go to hell for what he had done before to King Duncan and the other murders he has on his back. But his fear becomes more evident when he says "...But to be safely thus:/ our fears in Banquo stick deep..." (3. 1. 280. 52-53) Macbeth plans and has him murdered but Banquo’s son Fleance is able to escape from the brutal attack. Indeed, Macduff refuses to accept Macbeth as king and joins Malcolm. The witches tell him to be careful with Macduff, and this angers Macbeth and causes him to make the insane decision of killing Macduff’s family.
Later the witches tell Banquo, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (Shakespeare 1.3). After hearing this about Banquo, Macbeth begins to plan how he can get rid of Banquo so that his spot on the throne will be secure. Now that he knows that he will become king, he begins to desire to be king, trusting in what the witches said. Macbeth didn’t have to trust the witches, but he still chose to, leading to his future choices and further proving that he has the ability and will to exercise free
Soon after, Macbeth gave in to ambition and is also encouraged by a prophecy and Lady Macbeth, which he murders the King to take his throne. Macbeth’s betrayal throws himself into a bad state of being guilty and full of fear. Now that he is guilty and fearful, he murders again and again to satisfy his phobia. Macbeth has now became a very evil tyrant and will rightfully kill for his crimes over and over again. "For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name, Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valour's minion carved out his passage, Till he faced the slave." (1.2. 16-20).
Shakespeare uses Banquo to highlight the fact that Macbeth is “Rapt withal”, Macbeth is very gullible and takes things at face value and he begins to think of the witches’ statements as providence rather than prophecy. Shortly after, during his aside he state that he will leave it to chance but the seeds of ambition are already beginning to grow in his mind due to these prophecies. Also, the quote “to me you speak not” shows that Banquo, contrasting heavily from Macbeth, is rather unfazed by these prophecies. This also furthers their character’s differences, in the sense that Macbeth is more easily persuaded and not questioning anything, while Banquo is more down to earth and is taking the witches words
Macbeth shows that he is aware of his surroundings and if they pose a threat to him. Banquo isn’t the only thing he is suspicious of throughout the play, he also becomes suspicious of everyone catching him for killing Duncan near the beginning of the the play. He becomes paranoid of being caught by any of the characters (other than Lady Macbeth,
He knows that the only other person that knew the prophecy of him becoming king is Banquo. The threat of Banquo revealing his secret is overwhelming for Macbeth and it becomes clear to him that he must eliminate any threat that could damage his newly appointed position. It can be argued that Macbeth regresses to a paranoid murderous maniac who’s most important goal is to keep his secret hidden. He believes that Banquo knows he murdered the king, he also believes that Macduff will take the throne from him.
Because Banquo knew the prophecy of the witches, he ordered his death in case he thought that he might have killed Duncan, act3 sc1 Line start – 10 Banquo says he has all three as the witches predicted. Under his reign of tyranny, he kills and slaughters. A dominant feature about the play is that when there is a bad king, the country as well suffers, and many characters talk of how Scotland is suffering act4 sc3 L168-169 ‘Where sighs, and groans, and shrieks that rent the air, are made, not marked’. Act4 sc3 L40-41 Malcolm says, ‘it weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash is added to her wounds.’ In the same scene Macduff also says, ‘bleed, bleed poor country.’ Also, ‘Each new morn, new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face, that it resounds as if it felt with Scotland, and yelled out like a syllable of dolour.’ People don’t talk highly of Macbeth unlike Duncan, words like ‘black’ and ‘treacherous’ and also ‘tyrant’ are to name but a few. Macduff comments, ‘not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils, to top Macbeth.’ In act4 sc3 L57-60 Malcolm says, ‘I grant him bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has a name.’ Macduff shows a point that he believes that a king should be chosen by divine right (this also shows that Shakespeare as well believes in divine right) in act4 sc3, ‘with an untitled tyrant…’ But