The Tragedy of Macbeth

Macbeth is a Scottish general and thane of the Glamis who is wicked by the prophesies of the witches. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the terrible effects that ambition and guilt can have on the man. Macbeth is a complicated character who has an effect on the other characters. He kills King Duncan, but before killing him he aborts the crime. Macbeth is not the Shakespeare's villain because his villain kills women, children and Kings, but he cannot resist his dark desires due to the prophecies of the witches and manipulation of Lady Macbeth. His struggle to regain his goodness is constant.

Macbeth is a noble and brave man. He is very loyal to the King and he is one of the brave soldiers who is fighting in battle for King Duncan. Macbeth’s bravery is described by the Thane of Ross. He says, “Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,” (I.ii.54). Macbeth is called the “eagle” and “lion” by the captain to show his personality. Macbeth does not hesitate to fight with courage, as seen in his battles with Macdonwald and the king of Norway. King Duncan calls him the “valiant relative”. Due to his bravery, the king gives him the additional title “Thane of Cawdor”.

The witches do not trick Macbeth but they tell him about the future. While Macbeth manipulates himself, due to the prophecies of the witches, the witches affect his inner thoughts about becoming the King. They tell him about the future and the respect that he will gain. They tell him some part of the future but he starts to think about the future so much that he goes into a daze. This reality shocks him. At first he thinks, “(aside) If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me / Without my stir.” (I.iii.47-48). However, Lady Macbeth pressures him to  murder King Duncan. She convinces him by saying, “Your hand, your tongue. Look like th' innocent flower, / But be the serpent under ’t” (I.v.56-58).

After the death of Duncan, his aim is to have the kingdom for his descendants, not for Banquo's descendants. In order for that to happen, he plans to kill Banquo and his son. When Macbeth decides to kill Banquo, it is because the witches tell him that Banquo’s sons will be the King. He needs Banquo out of the way. The third witch says to Banquo, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (I.iii.68). It is because of this that Banquo must die. It is also partly because Banquo is getting suspicious about the murder of the King Duncan. Banquo is the person who knows too much. He is the only witness of the witches prophecies. He knows that Duncan’s death benefits Macbeth more than anyone else.

The death of Banquo is important  for Macbeth. He sends murderers to kill Banquo and his son but the murderers only kill Banquo and his son escapes. The death of Banquo affects Macbeth in the same way he was affected by the death of Duncan. Unfortunately, that is not the end of Banquo for Macbeth. When he notices Banquo’s ghost, he says, “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me.” (III.iv.54)  This shows Macbeth’s guilty conscience. He is becoming mad. His madness is a sign that he knows what he did was wrong and he cannot quite handle it.

The escape of Fleance makes Macbeth angry and increases his fear of losing the throne. Macbeth is conflicted by the reports of Banquo’s death and Fleance’s escape.  He is happy to hear of the death of Banquo, but concerned that his son will fulfill the prophecy. When the murderers tell him that they have cut the throat of Banquo, he joyfully he says to one of the murderers, “Thou art the best o' th' cutthroats:” (III.iv.18). However, upon hearing of the escape of Fleance, he becomes unnerved and says, “Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect, / Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, / As broad and general as the casing air.” (III.iv.22-24). This fear of Macbeth shows that he does not want to take any risks for his life and throne. Fleance is the only danger for him because he is the son of Banquo and, according to the witches, Banquo’s sons will hold the throne.

Macduff’s journeys to England to consult with Malcolm about claiming the throne. When the news reaches Macbeth, he sends murderers to kill the Macduff family. Before the murderers can accomplish their mission, an unknown messenger warns Lady Macduff about the upcoming danger. However, before she can escape  the murderers arrive and kill both Lady Macduff and young Macduff. This news enacts feeling of revenge in Macduff. Knowing that Macduff is with Malcolm, Macbeth’s fear of losing the throne worsens. Since Macbeth has taken the throne, he has never been relaxed. He has not proven himself to be a successful king and the people desire that Malcolm take the throne. The Death of Macduff’s family causes Macduff and Malcolm to take revenge on Macbeth. The king of Scotland sends troops to Malcolm to help fight against  Macbeth and they are the finest troops in the Christian world.

The situation becomes worse for Macbeth. As his enemies advance, Lady Macbeth becomes ill and confesses her guilt while sleepwalking. Macbeth’s army becomes fearful because they do not feel they can defeat the siwards. However, Macbeth has no fear due to the last prophecy of the witches, which says that no person born from a woman can kill him. Second Apparition says, “The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth.” (IV.i.82-83). However, this prophecy is told to make him overly confident by the Hecate lord of the witches. He says, “And you all know, security / Is mortals' chiefest enemy.” (III.v.32-33). No one is telling the truth to Macbeth.

The battle between the two armies starts and Macbeth is relaxed due to the prophecy. A young siward goes to fight with Macbeth and is slain. Shortly after, Macduff goes to fight with Macbeth, but Macbeth resists because he feels guilty for killing his entire family. Macbeth believes that he will win in a fight against Macduff because he is under the impression that Macduff was born from a woman. However, when Macduff tells him that he is not born naturally from his mother’s womb, he says, “Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped.” (V.viii.15-16).  After hearing this, Macbeth’s courage is broken and he is killed by Macduff.

When a person is manipulated by others, he can never make right decisions.  Macbeth makes wrong choices because he is manipulated by the witches and his wife. He dies alone, with no one left to mourn him. It is not wise to live according to prophecies. The destruction of others is not the way to achieve one’s goal. Those that have no respect for human life risk suffering the same fate as Macbeth.