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Macbeth's Transformation Into Evil

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In the tragedy, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the protagonist, Macbeth, faces a series of challenges in which his decisions lead to his transformation from a once noble, loyal, and honorable human being to a power-hungry, murdering, wretched beast of a man. Character development is strong in Macbeth, especially regarding Macbeth himself. One can argue that his dishonorable deeds have brought forth the devil in him, which as the plot progresses, seems to have consumed his human sentiments altogether. Although in the end, Macbeth was unable to cleanse his heart through redemption, he still had a heart, a blackened heart as his previous good-natured self was too weak leaving him defenseless and vulnerable to evil guidance, but nevertheless, …show more content…

Unlike Duncan’s death these were done with ease on Macbeth’s part, ordering their murder as casually as demanding the butchering of pigs for a grand feast. This is the moment in which many would argue that he had transformed into a monster. Nonetheless, he wasn’t born predestined to be a companion of evil. His crimes following the murder of Duncan were the product of a determination to keep hidden his wicked deed more so than a desire to kill. Things escalated in which he was no longer in control of his actions or his emotions, fear and anxiety taking over. Furthermore, the murder of Banquo and of Macduff’s family were indirect as he ordered others, whereas he killed Duncan with his own hands. This, in part, is one of the reasons why he was deeply affected by Duncan’s death but not so much by the death of the others. After he had killed the king, his guilt and shame overshadowed all emotions. He heard tormenting voices, and he himself stated that “to know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself” (2.2. 71). Clearly, his conscience is troubled and is yet unable to cope with what he had done.
He was Adam in the Garden of Eden, urged by Eve (Lady Macbeth) to take a fruit from the forbidden tree and eat it allowing sin and all that is evil to enter his very being, a clear reflection of Macbeth’s crime and how it changed him. The serpent claimed that “when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”, analogous to how the witches prophesize that Macbeth was to be like Duncan, a king, although they did not speak outright to murder Duncan (Genesis 3:5). Like Macbeth, Adam was good, an innocent soul corrupted by those around

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