Macbeth Essay, Research Paper

Willam Hazlitt, a British essayist, said it best when he said, “If we wish to know the force of human genius, we should read Shakespeare.” William Shakespeare has become famous for the timeless themes that run throughout his works. In the classic 17 century tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare is able to bring to life bitter human emotions and character traits that modern man can recognize and easily identify with. The parallel one can find between the character Macbeth and present day human problems is a true representation of the total spectrum of human nature at its most tragic moments.

Macbeth at the beginning of the play is portrayed as a strong, brave person as he fights for King Duncan. Many people are able to carry on in times of war and basically get the job at hand done. This act of bravery is noticed and passed along to the king by the Captain. He states “…Showed like a rebel’s whore: but all’s too weak: for brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name…” This statement is saying while all those around Macbeth were fearful and timid, Macbeth was able to rise above them and finish the job. At this point Macbeth’s motives are strictly honorable and good. His intent is to win the battle for the good of his country.

Other characteristics at the onset of this play that make up Macbeth’s personality are goodness and loyalty. Even though these are admirable traits it seems to pose a problem for Macbeth. He is always trying to please all those around him. He wants to be loyal and good to his wife, which means killing King Duncan. At the same time he wishes to be loyal and good to King Duncan, which means not killing him. Macbeth realizes that King Duncan has been a good ruler, and even agonizes over the consequences of killing him. What modern man hasn’t had to make a choice between the lesser of two evils?

Later on in the play Macbeth’s moral sense is brought to the surface again when he and Banquo meet three witches. While returning home Macbeth and Banquo run across some witches. These witches prophesize the future of both men. They predict how Macbeth will be a king and how Banquo’s kin will also reign as a king . Macbeth states “…Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more…” and “…your children shall be kings…” and Banquo states “…you shall be king…” It is here that one gets the first insight into Macbeth’s ambitious side.

As the play continues one is given the insight that Macbeth privately has had ambitions of being king. With the prediction from the witches Macbeth’s imperfect moral character is suddenly driven by this ambition. He becomes a man who will stop to nothing to get and keep what he wants. Ambition is what drives all of us to excel at what we’re good at and to try harder at what we’re not. This drive allows people to accomplish their goals and dreams. Macbeth’s ambitions though, at this point, are not good. Encouraged by his wife he kills King Duncan in order to capture the throne. Macbeth states “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which 0’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other.” This is his way of saying that he has no reason to kill the King except his own ambitions. Once Macbeth realizes this ambition he says “I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: false face must hide what the false heart doth know”. Macbeth now realizes that that ambition and only ambition is what drives him on. He also knows that it will be hard to hide the fact that he killed the king; hence another spectrum of human nature comes to the forefront, betrayal. From this point on Macbeth knows no peace.

Once Macbeth has murdered Duncan the emotions of fear, guilt, and remorse rear up their ugly head. This representation of emotions brings out the more tragic side of his personality traits. Macbeth states “I am afraid to think what I have done; look on ‘t again I dare not”. The guilt of what his ambition has driven him to do is very powerful so powerful in fact that he says “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more.” The strength of the guilt is again brought out when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth try to wash blood from their hands and say,” Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No…” this guilt could be felt even now in modern times, by anyone who has engaged in some sort of hideous crime.

Macbeth’s undoing comes with the offensive trait of suspicion. Suspicion is a characteristic that can unravel and overpower even the strongest. Towards the end of the play Macbeth has become agitated with all of those around him. He feels that any moment the truth will come out about killing the king. Macbeth is also suspicious of Banquo’s kin, since the witches have prophesized that Banquo’s kin would be king. Macbeth says to his wife,” We have scotched the snake, not killed it: She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice remains in danger of hr former tooth.” This suspicion leads Macbeth to hire murderers to kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth’s conscience is lost; he has become void of emotion.

Macbeth is a timeless tragedy encircling the evolution of his emotions of good and evil. How these character traits were shaped and driven by human emotion is one that the 17th century man identified with, just as does the 20th century man. It is a timeless theme that teaches timeless lessons. This famous play portrays how the crumbling of good emotions and personal character can chip away to show the underlying layers of evil.

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