Delving into macbeth
Macbeth's character and the changes he undergoes can be traced throughout the events of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth. He begins the play as a good man who has just taken up the reputation of a valiant man who has done well for his country. However, with one single act of killing the king, he brings about his downfall. Macbeth's deterioration in morality and plagued feelings of guilt and fear dominate his character as he stumbles towards his death. Macbeth is first introduced as a nobleman who had just saved Scotland from the Norwegian king and successfully subdued two rebellions. He is portrayed as "brave Macbeth", one who has valiantly killed many enemies, "whose sword smoked with bloody execution", and is even associated with the goddess of war, "Belona's Bridegroom." Such successes won over favor from the king and a promising future. The positive image that Macbeth is presented through is quickly challenged, and his ambitious nature to aspire to become king is revealed after he hears the prophecies of the witches that he would become Thane of Cawdor and even king. The first prophecy, of being Thane of Cawdor was immediately fulfilled after the witches left Macbeth, which led him to believe that it was possible for
He becomes jealous of Banquo, for the prophecies stated that Banquo's children will become king, and that challenges the absoluteness of his power. Finally he decides against killing the king. In his hallucinations, he sees a dagger presented before him, yet he is unable to grab hold of it. Macbeth's change in his confidence in prophecies and fate can also be depicted. Such "horrible imaginings" are so atrocious to him that he feels "smothered in surmise", and unable to function normally throughout the day. This immediately brings Macbeth back to the consideration of the murder, and with his wife's strong powers of persuasion, he quickly dismisses the possibility of failure. Macbeth was innately a good man who had his inner dark desires unleashed. Earlier he relied heavily on the prophecies regarding his fate as king, but now he challenges his fate. Despite the effects of the horrid thoughts of murder that plague Macbeth, he is found to be continually lost in the contemplation of murder. Finally, he decides to have Banquo murdered, allowing himself little time for consideration. He himself is ashamed of such thoughts, hence calls upon the dark of night to hide his horrid desire, "stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires". Compared to the intensity of the internal dispute he went through when contemplating the murder of the king, he did not put much thought in planning the murder of Banquo. He begins to hear voices saying "sleep no more!" The incapability to sleep signifies a troubled mind.
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