Macbeth Essay, Research Paper

He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. This quote means that if someone is seeing there is evil being committed and does nothing to stop it they are indirectly encouraging it. I disagree with this quote. Many people see the evil around them and want to do something about it. However the circumstance they are in makes it a very confusing and impossible situation for them to do something. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare Banquo and the common people do realize the evil actions of Macbeth, however are not able to do anything about them.

Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth s motives after Macbeth kills King Duncan. Banquo sees that the witch s prophecy is becoming true. Banquo says Thou has t it now king, Cawdor, Glamis, all as the weird women promised, and I fear thou play dst most foully ..” We can see Banquo did start to doubt Macbeth s motives and ways of becoming king. However Banquo was not capable of doing much. We were shown how loyal Banquo was when Macbeth had asked him if he would help him carry out a plan. Banquo s answer was So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counsell d. Banquo was not willing to do anything disloyal and was clear hearted. Although Banquo did suspect Macbeth we can t say he was involved in the evilness of Macbeth. In fact before Banquo got a chance to do anything about the circumstance Macbeth killed him. Macbeth was suspicious of Banquo s motives and saw that he might be a threat to him. Macbeth s evilness was such that no one could control.

The Lord who talks to Lennox is a representation of the Common people of Scotland. We can see through the discussion of the lord with Lennox that the people were not happy with Macbeth as well. The Lord tell us that Macduff is gone to pray to the holy king, upon his aid to wake Northumberland and warlike Siward that by the help of these, we may again give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives. Do faithful homage and receive free honors: all which we pine for now. The lord is very happy Macduff has gone to do something about this evilness and hopes he will come back victorious. The common people don t have any type of right aid that can help them do something about this injustice. Macduff on the other hand was a noblemen of Scotland and did have the power to do something about the situation. The people could only hope for the best. They are not cooperating with the evil but are forced to face the terrible conditions they are put in. Lennox points out that anyone who Macbeth saw as a possible threat was killed. No common person could afford this. All these people wanted a better ruler but did not have the power to do anything.

Evil is everywhere and is very difficult to destroy. Many people are helpless and are not in a position to face harsh circumstances. We can t say these people enjoy what is happening and find the circumstance acceptable. In the play Macbeth different people had to act different ways to Macbeth s evilness. Almost everyone wanted to stop the evil but it wasn t a job that everyone was able to handle.