Macbeth

Macbeth(c.1607), written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of Macbeth, a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This tragedy could in fact be called "A Tale of Two Theories". One theory suggests that the tragic hero, Macbeth, is led down an unescapable road of doom by an outside force, namely fate in the form of the three witches. The second suggests that there is no supernatural force working against Macbeth, which therefore makes him responsible for his own actions and inevitable downfall. It must be remembered that Macbethis a literary work of art, and as a piece of art is open to many different interpretations, none of them right and none of them wrong. But the text of the play seems to imply that Macbeth is indeed responsible for his own actions which are provoked by an unwillingness to listen to his own conscience, the witches, and his ambition. First, Macbeth ignores the voice of his own psyche. He knows what he is doing is wrong even before he murders Dun! can, but he allows Lady Macbeth and greed to cloud his judgement. In referring to the idea of the murder of Duncan, Macbeth first states,"We will proceed no further in this business"(I.vii.32). Yet, after speaking with Lady Macbeth he recants and proclaims

Set in feudal Scotland, the play deftly develops each of the main characters, molding their traits and qualities into an intricate masterpiece surrounding Macbeth, the central character. ,"I am settled, and bend upEach corporal agent to this terrible feat"(I. Fear is always in ambition"tms shadow, never receiving the acknowledgment it deserves. Macbeth"tms regression feeds off fear; when there is nothing to fear, Macbeth conjures fear to satisfy his regressive appetite, "My strange and self abuse Is the initiate fear that wants hard use" (III. Macbeth"tms fear sustains his murderous rampage as he plots the murder of Banquo and Fleance. Moreover, his deed is not motivated by the desire to safeguard the land or cleanse it of enemies. 39-43) His fear of her scorn augments the confusion within his "heat-oppressed brain", causing him to hesitantly agree to the conspiracy (II. Some are still not convinced though of the witches less than supernatural role; nevertheless, Macbeth appears throughout the play to be completely aware 3 of his actions, as opposed to being contolled by some mystic force.