Emotions in Macbeth Essay

Emotions Overpowering Affect

Why is it that humans let out emotions get the better of us and basically restrict our free will? In his play, Macbeth, Shakespeare writes about a character, Macbeth, coming to power through the vile act of murder enticed to him by his wife. Sinful actions have been connected with being overwhelmed emotionally several times throughout the play. There comes a point when a free willed decision can cause certain consequences whether bad or good and one can be judged on how they deal with the result. Some may try to fix the problem and put it behind them while others get too caught up and cannot stop their actions anymore for it is needed to keep them safe. Macbeth makes many decisions throughout the play that if dealt with correctly, would have saved him much heartache and guilt. It is possible to see Macbeth losing control and start to make some of his evil choices solely based on overflowing emotions forcing the actions.

Macbeth was shown as in control in the beginning but slowly starts taking rationalized unexplainable actions after he first meets with the witches. Macbeth does not believe the witches predictions until he does become Thane of Cawdor; then he begins to contemplate if the rest will become true as well. Here Macbeths emotions first start taking over and being the foremost factor on why he does the evil actions. His wife succumbs to this quite a bit quicker than Macbeth does because she was less restrictive, morality wise, on her free will. After Lady Macbeth heard the witches prophecy she believed that Macbeth deserved to be king and should do anything to become it, including murder. Still it cried 'Sleep no more!' to all the house: 'Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.' (Shakespeare 2.2. 53-55). Even though Macbeth chose to murder Duncan, he first shows guilt and regret for it when telling his wife of the voices he heard after killing Duncan. He believes that the voices are correct and that he will never be able to sleep again so his emotions start to take over his thinking. Macbeth had killed the King so he was already headed down the slippery slope of sin, so after Macbeth killed Duncan, he killed the two Kings Chamberlains to have murderers that could not be questioned as his alibi. He was already too caught up in his future potential that he did not care anymore what he did or who he killed. It was Macbeths frame of mind to murder whoever so that he may be king that started his downfall.

After Macbeth was formerly named King, he apparently lost control with greed and fear of losing his throne so he becomes more dangerous. He was afraid of how the witches also foretold of Banquos heirs becoming king so he decided to send murderers after Banquo and his son, Fleance. All Macbeth could think about was keeping his power while his guilt ate away at him. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives (Shakespeare 3.2. 42-43). It is here that Macbeth describes to his wife how he cannot think straight because he really regrets his previous decisions but cannot stop now. It did not help when he found out that Fleance had escaped his murderers assault. He started getting obsessed with how insecure his hold of throne was and all the things he has done to get it. Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes which thou dost glare with! (Shakespeare 3.4. 110-112). Macbeth feels so guilty that he starts seeing the ghost of Banquo at his dinner party the night Banquo was murdered. Macbeth proves his ensuing insanity to all of the Scottish Nobility when yelling at Banquos ghost in front of them when they believed him to still be alive. His guilt is an obvious emotion that overwhelms him and his decision making.

Macbeth finally reaches the point where he does not know what will happen and so becomes determined to get advice. Everything the witches prophesized came true except for Banquos heirs taking the throne so Macbeth starts to go mad. It took returning to the witches to get another prophecy for Macbeth to be at ease. The power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth (Shakespeare 4.1. 88-89). The witches tell Macbeth how he is not able to be hurt by any man that was born by a woman which gives him great relief. He also feels more comfortable when they say hes safe until a forest comes to his castle which he knows forests cannot move. This is what causes Macbeth to momentarily regain his sanity. He finally believes that he has succeeded and that all his actions thus far have been rationalized.

Macbeth feels so confident in himself that he becomes determined enough to get rid of all other enemies that he may have. After hearing of Macduff fleeing to England where Malcolm went, he concluded on attacking Macduffs castle immediately and killing all of Macduffs family. And even now, to crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: the castle of Macduff I will surprise; seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line (Shakespeare 5.1. 165-170). From this its visible that Macbeth made this decision with thought behind it and free will instead of overwhelmed emotion. It was one of the first times since he murdered Duncan that he was actually able to think coherently. Though most people might not see it morally right to attack and kill an innocent family, Macbeths values changed over time and now did what he thought necessary no matter the evilness behind it.

Macbeth quickly became overwhelmed again after knowing of Macduff and Malcolms armies preparing to take their revenge and his wife committing suicide. Macbeth thought he was still unstoppable because of the witches prophecies so he did not think much when he sent his whole army to fight enemy. This was Macbeths choice that ultimately failed him in the end because he was only as strong as the people behind him and they deserted him. It was now Macduffs real chance to get his revenge on Macbeth for all the people he hurt. I will not yield, to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet, and to be baited with the rabble's curse (Shakespeare 5.8. 32-34). It is here that Macbeth still does not decide to give up even though his whole army is defeated and his charm of no harm from woman born man does not matter because Macduff was a cesarean birth. It seemed Macbeth acted like this because he was so emotionally overwhelmed of being completely defeated in the battle and everything he worked for coming apart. It would be hard for one to still think clearly after such events psychologically ruined them. Macbeth lost his free will when he let his emotions control his actions.

Macbeth never kept his emotions under control thus lost all power of controlling his future. He was now stuck slipping down a steep slope with nothing to do but make more rash decisions to cover up for the previous ones. It is free will clear thinking that led Macbeth to be a noble who would even be considered of becoming king if the royal family was to be indisposed of. He was too scared, guilty, and greedy to make any rash decisions. It was his emotional choices that led him to his demise and even death.