Analysis of Macbeth Essay

In a novel there is often a character that often violates the laws and various other rules. When reading novels one often finds protagonists and antagonists also known as the good guys or bad guys. The point for having antagonists and protagonists is to arouse the readers sympathy for the character who is struggling with and then breaking the rules, and to then divide our interest between sympathy for the character and anger at the character for not upholding the principles of society. Macbeth fits this scenario because in the play Macbeth we first hear of Macbeth in the wounded captains account of his battlefield valor, our initial impression is of a brave and capable warrior. This perspective is complicated, however, once we see Macbeth interact with the three witches the audience realizes that his physical courage is joined by a consuming ambition and a tendency to self-doubt himself, the prediction that he will be king brings him joy, but it also creates inner turmoil. Hearing about this makes our feelings toward Macbeth get tossed around through out the whole play. The audience knows that Macbeth did not want to hurt anyone at first. After hearing the three witches prophecies Macbeth realizes that the prophecies could come true. Macbeth is the most ruthless and evil character in this story, he also is very greedy and unsure of himself. Macbeth being unsure about his self is the reason why the readers and audience struggle with their feelings toward Macbeth. When Macbeth becomes evil and reveals his eagerness to become king the readers and audience become angry.

In the beginning of Macbeth it begins with the brief introduction of the three witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo have defeated two separate invading armies. Macbeth and Banquo run into the witches and the witches then tell Macbeth that he will be made Thane of Cawdor and then later on be the king of Scotland. At first they are skeptical whether to believe the witches prophecies, doubt was set in their minds. Until some of King Duncans men came to thank them. The men then told Macbeth that he was indeed named Thane of Cawdor. When the men tell Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor, he becomes intrigued about the three witches prophecies. Macbeth then plans on dining with Duncan. Macbeths wife Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to be King. Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to kill Duncan in order to obtain the kingship. At first Macbeth does not want to murder him, but Lady Macbeth convinces him to do it that night of the dinner party. The two of them come up with a plan to get Duncans two chamberlains drunk so they will black out, then they will kill Duncan. In the morning the guards will then be blamed for the incident, and be defenseless because they would have no memory of what happened. The plan did not work out like the two had planned and the morning after Macbeth then kills the two chamberlains out of anger and fear that they would reveal what happened. Macbeth later assumes the throne. When Macbeth becomes the king, Duncans two sons flee to England and Ireland in fear that whoever killed Duncan would soon come after them as well. Macbeth becomes fearful about the three witches prophecies about Banquo coming to the throne. Macbeth hires a group o9f murders to murder Banquo and his sons. The murders fail to kill Banquos sons. Macbeth fears that as long as Banquos sons are alive the throne may not be in his control. Macbeths anger increases when Banquos ghosts visit him. Lady Macbeth sees by telling the nobleman that Macbeth is sick. As the play goes on the audience or readers realizes that Macbeth is falling apart. Macbeth soon goes to visit the three witches and they tell Macbeth some other prophecies. Macduff a Scottish nobleman, who is opposed to Macbeth rulings, will be secure. Macduff knows that Macbeth cannot harm him. Macbeth is very angry and orders for his family to be killed. Macduff is angry and he orders for an army to fight Macbeths. Before Macduffs army invades, Lady Macbeth kills herself, which causes Macbeth to go into depression. When the army finds Macbeth, they fight violently until Macduff reaches Macbeth and murders him.

When reading Macbeth, at first the readers or audience sides with Macbeth because Macbeth is the protagonist or the good guy. As the play goes on the reader or audience realizes that Macbeth is quickly giving into his desires to become king. Macbeth is torn between whether he should give into his desires to be king. Macbeth wonders if killing someone in order to get what he wants is really worth it. The reader or audience goes back and forth with their feelings towards Macbeth. The reader or audience knows that Macbeth wants to make the right decision. Macbeth soon changes how he feels about being king and his desires become even stronger after hearing the three witches prophecies. Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to be king just as bad as Macbeth does. She influences him to kill Banquo.

Is Macbeth a horrible monster or is he a sensitive man- a victim of witches and his own ambitions? Macbeth is not a bad person for his desires and ambitions. What makes Macbeth bad is he would go to any extent to get what he wants, even if that means killing another human. The readers or audience would like Macbeth if they knew that he did not change from being good to becoming bad. The readers and audience will not know if Macbeth was truly being himself or if the three witches prophecies were the real reason for influencing his change.