Macbeth Analysis

Macbeth Creative Writing

Anthony Buchanico

 

            In the story of Macbeth, Macbeth had gone from such a bold and noble man with no sense of violence except those against his loved ones, yet when he heard of his chance to be king he slowly fell under the lust for power and began his journey consisting of slaughtering anybody in his way.  This can be shown throughout the story in his words as well as the words of others.

 

            In Act 1 scene 3 Banquo and Macbeth have come to contact with the witches and are discussing the prophecies told to them. Macbeth has been said to become king while Banquo has been told his children shall inherit the throne afterward. While in discussion whether this prophecy may be true Banquo states, “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow, and which will not.” To see which grain will grow and which will not is to take note of whose future will flourish and whose will come to an end.

            Act 1 scene 5; Macbeth is in deep thought over the plan to end the life of the King. To end the life of someone he considers a friend is just too much for him to simply go about doing, but he would do almost anything for the power of king as well as make his wife happy.  So while in a soliloquy, Macbeth cries “Stars, hide your fires!

Let not light see my black and deep desires.” In short, Macbeth doesn’t wish for such controversy over being king, but doesn’t want to admit he will eventually fall to his lust for power.

            For Act 1, scene 7 the majority of Macbeth’s time is spent arguing with his wife over the deed to end Duncan. Macbeth is taking the side of finding another way to go about obtaining kingship while his wife wants the deed done immediately and to the fullest extent. She accuses Macbeth of being everything under a man and the only way to bring his masculinity back he would need to murder someone with a familiar face.  As a response, he replies with “I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more, is none.” He’s saying manhood cannot be judged by taken lives. And this would turn him to a beast rather a man.

            The remainder of Act 1, scene 7 is spent discussing the way to rid of the king. Lady Macbeth’s influence had finally hit Macbeth. Rather then take his task with confidence like on the battlefield; he is extremely timid at the thought of the murder. For words of confidence, Lady Macbeth responds with “Screw your courage to the sticking-place.” Saying this had told Macbeth to center his courage before taking the task. This gave him the confidence shown on the battlefield to apply to the murder of Duncan.

            After the dawning of the day Duncan’s death is discover, Act 2 scene 3 is spent detailing the conversation with the ones close to the king such as Macbeth and Macduff. Although most are unsuspecting, Donalbain had sensed guilt among the crowd. “There's daggers in men's smiles.” Is said by him when he suddenly feels a large amount of guilt in the crowd. He senses one man had done this. That Macbeth did the deed is not apparent however.

            Act 3, scene 4 begins to show the ruthless man Macbeth is becoming. He begins to find out Banquo knows Macbeth completed the death of Duncan. As a result he begins to contemplate yet another murder to keep his secret safe. He begins to enter another soliloquy. This time he states “I am in blood Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er.” Saying this shows Macbeth knows he has to murder again, he doesn’t think of it as such a crime though. He’s done it once he’ll do it again. The only difference now is his hired assassins shall do the deed.

            Act 4, scene 2 Lady Macbeth has had a growing regret over the murder since the deed was committed. She is slowly falling apart. Macbeth realizes this and tries to assure her the problem is over and nothing bad will come from this anymore. She is still rather doubtful about it no matter what he says. She realizes they are traitors no matter what. “When our actions do not, our fears do make us traitors.” This shows just that.

            Macbeth has been a horrible king. His citizens are afraid of his wrath and are afraid to make any action. There are few people who aren’t afraid to go against him. These people are devoted. Going against him they tell each other his rude ways. One man, Angus notes how afraid his subjects are. “Those he commands move only in command, nothing in love: now does he feel his title Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief.” Angus is saying his power is not meant for him and is too much for him to maintain. This is related to the dwarf owning the oversized robe in that manner.

Macbeth’s final time of battle is near. He realizes the forest is coming after him.  The only thing he can do is stay devoted and fight for his life. “I have almost forgot the taste of fears;

The time has been, my senses would have cool’d

To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair

Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir

As life were in't: I have supp'd full with horrors;

Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts

Cannot once start me.” This is a short speech about how Macbeth shall embrace death with acceptance in a way, but won’t let it bring him down so easily. If this is really how his life is supposed to end. It is at least worth the test.

            In the final act of the play, Macbeth’s mistress has come to an end. He shows very little grief nor feels it.  He just embraces it. She was but a mere assistance to him in the long run. Thought of as his puppet. “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.” These words signify the end of Macbeth’s heart. He is nothing but a shadow of his former self, a walking beast who’s hungry for any power possible.

As shown above, Macbeth’s character has changed dramatically. Once the most modest man in the entire world, he is not a relentless demon seeking nothing but personal benefit. This gives the strong message that power can change even the kindest of hearts. Power destroys people.