Do You Agree That Macbeth Himself Essay Example
Do You Agree That Macbeth Himself Essay Example

Do You Agree That Macbeth Himself Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
Topics:
  • Pages: 6 (1421 words)
  • Published: October 22, 2017
  • Type: Analysis
View Entire Sample
Text preview

In my opinion, the statement that Macbeth bears complete responsibility for the killings depicted in the play is incorrect. The witches and Lady Macbeth both played crucial roles in these occurrences. I hold the belief that Lady Macbeth and the witches are somewhat more accountable than Macbeth since their influence compelled him to execute those actions. It is possible that without their influence, he would not have carried out those deeds.

The witches in Macbeth significantly influenced Macbeth's actions throughout the play. Their intention to blur appearances is emphasized in the opening scene with the line "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," which Macbeth echoes, hinting at his sense of foreboding. This atmosphere suggests that strange events will follow. The witches played a crucial role in convincing Macbeth to kill Duncan by prophesying that he will become

...

king: "All hail Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter."

At first, Macbeth doesn't take the witches' prophecies seriously. However, they confirm their reliability by saying "All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis," which he is already aware of. Then they declare "All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor," which the audience knows has occurred but adds weight to the witches' prophecy. Despite this, Macbeth is still confused by their pronouncements. Once he learns the truth about their predictions though, Macbeth considers that there could be some truth in what they say and starts contemplating his chances of becoming king later on.

While encountering the witches, Macbeth is warned by three apparitions. The initial one advises him to be careful of Macduff and the Thane of Fife with the words: "Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff, beware the

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough."

Following the initial apparition, a second vision emerges in the form of a bloody child. The child advises Macbeth, "Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." The apparition goes on to reveal to Macbeth that no man naturally born from a woman can cause him harm. In due course, Macbeth discovers that "Macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd". Finally, a third vision appears as a crowned child who holds a tree in his hand.

According to the third apparition, Macbeth cannot be conquered unless Birnam forest shifts to Dunsinane. The apparition advises Macbeth to be courageous, confident, and unconcerned about anyone who challenges him. The third apparition symbolizes Malcolm, the legitimate ruler of Scotland, who pretends to be three branches of Birnam wood and approaches Dunsinane castle in a later scene.

The witches in Macbeth manipulate Macbeth's thoughts by showing him apparitions, including a moving forest, which he initially dismisses until later in the play when an advancing army appears as a moving forest. The witches' prophecies are cryptic and ambiguous to Macbeth, leading to his overconfidence in his fate as king. While he understands the threat from Macduff, the second apparition's message that "for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" gives him a false sense of security. Duncan must be removed for his fate as king to come true.

Macbeth was confused and took the third apparition as evidence of his invincibility. He believed that he would never be defeated until a great forest moved to Dunsinane Hill. Lady Macbeth also played a significant role

in the events of the play. Upon reading Macbeth's letter, she exclaimed, "Glamis thou art and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promis'd."

Expressing clear intentions, she unmistakably recommends their actions and confirms her contribution to Duncan's demise. Shortly thereafter, she devises a plan for his murder, invoking otherworldly entities to grant her the ability to execute it without any remorse. "Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, stop up th'access and passage to remorse."

Lady Macbeth's resolute ambition to seize the throne is evident in her speech, which emphasizes her unwavering determination and lack of uncertainty. She conveys her readiness to relinquish her feminine identity and all else in order to attain her objective by pleading to be stripped of her womanhood. This speech underscores Lady Macbeth's critical role in propelling Macbeth towards their shared aspiration, as she surpassed him with sheer willpower. Her intention to assassinate Duncan before daybreak is further confirmed by the line "O, never shall sun that morrow see".

"It is too full o'th'milk of human kindness" - Lady Macbeth asserts that she is taking charge and deciding on the plan to murder Duncan. Macbeth initially had no intention to kill Duncan, as he did not see a justification for it. However, Lady Macbeth has influenced and dominated his thinking. She believes that Macbeth will not carry out the plan due to his weakness and compassion.

Lady Macbeth counsels Macbeth to adopt the guise of a harmless flower, while concealing his true dangerous nature like a serpent. This astute advice is designed

to avoid arousing suspicion of their plot. Lady Macbeth's intense response upon its failure suggests that she and Macbeth may have suffered the loss of a child. She informs him that if they had made such a pledge, she would have fulfilled it even if it entailed slaying their own progeny. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth insinuates that a genuine man would not hesitate in such circumstances.

As a result of Lady Macbeth questioning Macbeth's manhood, he agrees to her plans even though he may not want to, ultimately leading him to "be so much more the man."

At the start of the play, Macbeth seemed feeble as he was unable to confront Lady Macbeth. The witches and Lady Macbeth had a significant impact on him, hence he cannot be wholly blamed for what occurred. In Act I scene III, he echoed the witch's utterances but didn't accept their prediction until Lady Macbeth convinced him otherwise. Gradually, he even contemplated killing Duncan while speaking to himself.

The passage expresses the idea that quickly executing the murder would be preferable, as stated in the quote "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly." However, the protagonist, Macbeth, also considers reasons to postpone the plan, such as Duncan's perceived virtues. Despite his initial inclination to abandon the plot, Macbeth is eventually persuaded by Lady Macbeth's forceful will to proceed with their plan. This illustrates Macbeth's reluctance and Lady Macbeth's manipulation of him.

Although Macbeth knows he has a tendency towards excessive ambition, which he calls "vaulting ambition," he still goes through with his evil plans. After killing Duncan, Macbeth becomes a different person and feels immediate

regret. He admits, "I am afraid to think what I have done; look o'nt again, I dare not." It is evident that Macbeth is overwhelmed with guilt about his actions and would rather not think about the terrible outcomes they have brought about.

Macbeth was likely manipulated into committing a heinous act, which he now deeply regrets and recognizes cannot be undone. The blood of Duncan serves as a constant reminder of his guilt, haunting him until the end. Despite initial hesitation about fulfilling the witches' prophecies, Macbeth succumbs to ambition and carries out the deed. However, he battles with his conscience and considers abandoning the plan. Ultimately, Macbeth's actions and thoughts throughout the play expose his weakness.

Macbeth possessed a sense of honour and duty towards the king, as he was capable of predicting the outcomes of his actions. However, Lady Macbeth who held power and influence became his weakness. She employed deceitful tactics, manipulation and ambition to convince Macbeth that the murders were justified. The witches' predictions also had a significant impact on swaying Macbeth's decisions. They summoned apparitions that could have unsettled anyone. While some argue that the prophecies were intended to warn Macbeth about potential consequences, it is believed that their purpose was to influence him and play a role in shaping events while simultaneously providing false security for him by making him believe he was destined for invincibility as king.

A more resilient individual would have resisted Lady Macbeth's persuasion to kill Duncan, rejecting the idea entirely and refusing to act upon it. They would have disregarded the witches' foretelling as frivolous and considered nonsense, and not allowed it to consume their

thoughts and exert influence upon them.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New