Tragedy in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

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

Goaded by his wife, Macbeth murders Duncan for the throne, yielding to his “vaulting ambition”. Once the king, Macbeth desperately attempts to prevent his fate, killing those who threaten his position in power. First, he attempts to murder Banquo and his son as he believes that Banquo suspects that he has “played’st most foully” for the kingship. Then, upon hearing news of Macduff’s betrayal, he sends murderers to kill both Lady Macduff and her child.

Macbeth is a tragedy written in the 17th century that shows what the desire for power can do to a man. Macbeth is expressed as being the villain. But, Macbeth is in fact a tragic hero, doomed by fate from the beginning into the madness he put himself in. If it not been for meeting the witches and persuasion of his wife, the play would have had a very different ending.

Shakespeare uses dramatic irony and expositions to illustrate that Macbeth’s downfall occurred because of fate. The three witches telling Macbeth his destiny did not alter the course of his fate, but it prompted his downfall. Lady Macbeth and later Macbeth interprets the witches prophecy as Macbeth needs kill those who stand in his way. Lady Macbeth plays a significant role in Macbeth’s downfall as does Macbeth’s ego.

One of the most astounding themes William Shakespeare incorporates in his widely prominent story of, Macbeth, is the utterly sheer shift in Macbeth 's personality throughout the piece. It is commonly debated that the rapidly altering deposition of Macbeth had since served as the underlying facets and influences behind his ultimate collapse. However, Arthur Kirsch, Writer of “Macbeth’s Suicide,” insists that perhaps Macbeth did not develop a sense of insanity, but he was murdering out of confidence in his future. On the other hand, In Miguel Bernad Article, “The Five Tragedies in Macbeth”, Bernard describes that Macbeth 's ever changing deposition and lust for bloodshed was linked to this downfall. A variety of factors influenced Macbeth to

Macbeth shows his desire for power, he was friendly to Banquo before he became the king, but after he became the king, he let three murderers to kill Banquo and his son. “So is he mine, and is such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts against my near ‘st of life”(3.1 line 116-118). Macbeth sent three murderers to kill Banquo and his son since they ran away. All he thinks about is to kill more people in order to gain more power. Macbeth didn’t just kill Banquo only, he also killed Macduff’s whole family. “Murderer. What your egg! Stabbing him. Young fry of treachery! Son. He has killed me, mother: Run away, I pray you”(4.3 line 84-87). He killed Macduff’s whole family, he just wanted to make sure he doesn’t lose his power, so he just killed anyone who against him, he’s obsessed with his power, he never cares about breaking other people’s family.

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).

This angers Macbeth and enables him to follow Lady Macbeth's scheme to kill the King easier. Macbeth's first murder is definitely a trying experience for him. However, as the play progresses, killing seems easy and the only solution to maintain his reign of the people of Scotland. Macbeth becomes increasingly ambitious as the play goes on. The witches prophecies and Lady Macbeth's influence intensifies his ambition and drives Macbeth to obtain and maintain his title of Scotland by whatever means, even murdering his best friend, Banquo. "Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, ...no son of mine succeeding. If't be so, for Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan I have murder'd; ...To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! (Act III. sc.I) At this point Macbeth's passion becomes more and more extreme to the point where no one stands in his way. His greed, violence, and hunger for power drastically declines his character. The witches prophecy, Lady Macbeth's influence, and Macbeth's own ambition all contribute greatly to his deterioration of character which results in his downfall, which was death. All the causes link to one another. If it wasn't for Macbeth's strong will and passion, Macbeth would still be his ordinary self. Because of this, Macbeth's curiosity of possibly becoming king was brought out which led to Lady Macbeth's controlling influence. Macbeth's ambition then builds and causes him to commit a

Lady Macbeth brings out Macbeth’s tragic flaw when she proposes the idea of killing King Duncan and he states, “I have no spur . . . but only vaulting ambition” (1.7.25-27). Once King Duncan has been murdered, this flaw is revealed because his actions reflect on his ambition to stay king. Macbeth begins by planning on killing Banquo and his son because the witches told Banquo “thou shalt get kings, thought thou be none” (1.3.68). Macbeth must kill Banquo and his son, so no one will have the opportunity to take the crown away from him. When Macbeth sends murderers to kill them, Fleance can get away while Banquo is brutally attacked; however, luckily for Macbeth, Fleance is never heard from again. When Macbeth goes to visit the witches again and the first apparition tells him to “beware Macduff” (4.1.71-72), he then realizes he must eliminate any other obstacle that could potentially keep him from staying king. He says he will “give to th’edge o’th’sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls” (4.1.150-151) just to ensure his throne. By doing these horrible deeds, Macbeth proves he is willing to go above and beyond to remain king until his

“Every action has a reaction”. Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tale which illuminates the consequences of violating the “Natural order”, the hierarchy of beings in the universe. When Macbeth, a warrior well-known for his courage and bravery, murders King Duncan acting on his unchecked ambition to claim the throne, the order was disrupted, the result…chaos. Shakespeare uses symbolism to illustrate the atmosphere of the play as the natural order is flung into a state of turmoil. These techniques used by Shakespeare is used to enhance the classic battle between good and evil while engaging the readers. Through the ways that light and darkness, night and day, and good and bad are used in the play we are able to explore the unnatural chaos resulting from the damage done to the order by Macbeth’s ambition.

Macbeth is easily tempted into murder by his wife to fulfill his ambitions to the throne. Once he stabs Duncan there is no stopping him. Macbeth then proceeds to kill Banquo, Fleance, Lady Macduff, and her children. Lady Macbeth only manipulated him to kill the king, but the decisions to kill Macduff and Banquo were his own. Banquo was his good loyal friend, after he killed him we know that he was out of his mind. Each person he has killed

No sane person goes on a killing spree, and it is greed for power that drives Macbeth to the murders of many. In the story, Macbeth begins as the Thane of Glamis. He is already a large contributor in battle and this leads him to success early on in the plot. However, he doesn’t realize that he wants more power until he is told prophecies by three witches, and his wife- Lady Macbeth manipulates him. In the prophecies, he is told that he will become Thane of Cawdor, and then King. Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan after the battle in the beginning of the story, so part of the prophecy comes true right away. It is not until Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth about the prophecies through a letter, that Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill King Duncan to obtain the throne. King Duncan is Macbeth’s first murder to begin his reign for power. He is now throned King, but his greed for power doesn’t stop there. Macbeth kills anyone who he feels threatens his title as King. He has loyal companion Banquo killed because he feels Banquo might know that he killed King Duncan-if Banquo told others, this would lead to the de-throning of Macbeth as king- taking away his power. Insanity in Macbeth truly shines through when he kills Banquo, because of their close relationship. Banquo was nothing but loyal to Macbeth throughout the story. As the plot thickens, the witches continue to tell prophecies to Macbeth. One of them being that he should fear Macduff. Macbeth then kills Macduff’s family as he fears Macduff will somehow dethrone him. As people who were once loyal to Macbeth betray him, Macbeth continues to strive for power as king, until he is defeated by Macduff. Ultimately, Macbeth begins the story as a noble, respected Thane, but his ambition and greed for power as King/staying King leads him to insanity full of murder and deception, until his death.

Although cautious in his killings to begin with, as with that of King Duncan, he eventually becomes a heartless murderer who stops at nothing to gain power. By the end of the play, Macbeth murders his blameless King; one of his closest friends, Banquo; the entire house of Macduff, excusing only Macduff; and countless soldiers and chamberlains. Macbeth absolutely did not value human life, and thought it an insignificant task to dispose of it whenever he thought necessary. His evil ambition and destructive rule ruined the lives of countless people, all of whom were completely innocent.

With the glory of the Elizabethan Era, the theme of the Renaissance period develops more individually by relating with personal emotions and desire. During the Renaissance period of English literature history, one of the most celebrated writers of the world and the brightest star in the history of literature, William Shakespeare, utilizes his ink to portray the complicity on of human through his works, with numerous of comedies and tragic dramas, using various story backgrounds, Shakespeare is able to catch the most unique gist of human beings. For example, In his drama The Tragedy of Macbeth, his love towards the beauty of humanity expressed through the multidimensional characters of Macbeth. By illustrating the transformation of Macbeth 's change in mind, from a loyal servant of the King Ducan, changes to a pathetic suspicious usurper, and finally fell as a betrayer with no fame or power, Shakespeare reflects directly to the truth of humanity: beautifully diverse, unsteadily controversial, and fatally dangerous.

Macbeth is the leading character of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, in which he struggles to deal with the consequences of his actions. Is he a Tragic Hero? His brutal actions make it very questionable, but yes, Macbeth is a Hero in his own Tragedy.