A Flaming Lobster is Linked to Medussa Macbeth is Essay Example

guilt to the extent that he dreads contemplating his actions. In retrospect, Macbeth comprehends that true peace can only be attained by embracing death rather than enduring the torment of an unsettled mind.

Macbeth's newfound power and authority have made him extremely paranoid and radical in defending what is now his. He sees Banquo as a threat and believes that Banquo's health is weak in his life but would be perfect in his death (Act III Scene i line 115). Even though Banquo believes that Macbeth played unfairly (Act III Scene i line 3), he poses no real threat to Macbeth. However, Macbeth sees Banquo as having a natural inclination for power that others would fear (Act III Scene i line 54). The fact that Banquo is seen as a moral man makes him even more dangerous. But it was one specific event that pushed Macbeth to a state of heightened suspicion and led him to resort to murdering Banquo - when Banquo informed him of his lateness for the banquet. This murder further eroded Macbeth's grasp on reality.

After Banquo's death, the dynamics between Macbeth and those around him drastically changed. During a banquet, when Banquo's ghost unexpectedly appeared at the head table, the guests were taken aback by Macbeth's response to the ghost. Although they couldn't see it themselves, they were alarmed by Macbeth's distressed ramblings about wanting to conceal Banquo's spirit. This made them question his suitability as king and raised doubts about whether someone who isn't mentally stable could handle the responsibilities of kingship. Everyone witnessed Macbeth's peculiar weakness and their trust in him as a reliable ruler eroded. As the play progressed,

even small actions taken by Macbeth started affecting him on a more personal level.

Macbeth sought a partner to ensure the success of his scheme, so he confided in his spouse. Lady Macbeth fully supported Macbeth's proposed plans and promised her loyalty. Together, they carried out their plan to assassinate King Duncan with great enthusiasm. However, Lady Macbeth soon started feeling intense remorse for her involvement in the plot, which eventually turned into profound sorrow during her sleep. She believed that she would not face any consequences for her actions. Despite this belief, her guilt appeared through sleepwalking and ultimately led her to end her own life. With the death of the only person Macbeth still trusted, his hopes for happiness became even more unachievable.

Lady Macbeth's suicide resulted in Macbeth losing his passion for life. Once driven and ambitious, he now feels bored and trapped in a monotonous cycle. Time drags on slowly without purpose, making all his past actions seem foolish and insignificant. Life is like a fleeting shadow, a meaningless performance that fades away. Lady Macbeth played a crucial role in supporting and assisting Macbeth, but now he has accepted his failures and lacks any remaining support system. The decision to kill King Duncan, in which Lady Macbeth was involved, marked the start of Macbeth's pursuit of power and ultimately led to his downfall. The depletion of Macbeth's character directly stems from the extreme measures he took to satisfy his own desires.

Macbeth stands apart from other characters in the play with regards to controlling his fate. His actions, such as murdering King Duncan and causing Banquo's death, along with participating in Lady Macbeth's schemes,

were not necessary for survival. Like an unaware child who fails to consider the consequences of their amusing yet foolish actions, Macbeth recklessly pursued wealth without regard for the unjust means employed. As stated by Sir Isaac Newton in "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," we should only accept explanations for natural phenomena that are both true and sufficient (trans. A. Motte, London, 1729).