Macbeth Essay, Jennifer Yang, Asher P.3 T.1

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the main character himself progresses through a series of events that eventually twists his perception of fate and helps condemn him as a man despised for the actions he took in order to gain the throne of Scotland. Towards the beginning of the play, Macbeth grieves over his own murder of Duncan driven by his own and Lady Macbeth’s selfishness. Through this he develops a cynical demeanor that carries on throughout the play, and towards the end, reflects on the consequences of their greedy behavior. Nevertheless, he keeps the words of his prophecy at heart until the very end, firmly believing that he cannot be killed by any not of “woman born.”

In Act II of the play, Macbeth is characterized as slightly weaker than Lady Macbeth in terms of resolve and determination. He wavers because he is conflicted between the desire for the throne and his own morals against it. However, Lady Macbeth finally pushes him to commit the deed. In a way, it signified a “loss of innocence” for the “naïve” Macbeth. Even though he has previously fought and slain numerous men in the past, this type of dark, sinister act of murdering his own kin leaves him shattered and distraught. Afterward, Macbeth bitterly comments, “Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time; for from this instant there’s nothing serious in mortality all is but toys,” implying that his fate from then onward would be grim and desolate. This new perception then drives him to do anything possible to keep his throne, eventually leading to paranoia and even more murder.

By the near end of the play with Lady Macbeth’s “mysterious” death, Macbeth is characterized as a hardened, resentful man. Upon hearing the news of her death, he simply reacts with, “She should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word.” Had Macbeth from the beginning of the play heard this news, he most likely would have reacted differently. But after having murdered Duncan, his servants, Banquo, and Macduff’s entire family, he can no longer hold concern for anyone other than himself. This conducts him to fight entirely alone, confidently believing that he cannot be killed. In the end, the plot reaches a climax upon his battle with Macduff, and Macbeth is ultimately killed.

Throughout the entire play, Macbeth slowly develops a more cynical, pessimistic outlook on his fate, firmly believing that he is permanently disconnected from the joys of life. With this conviction, he clears an egotistical trail for himself that in the end, leads him to his own demise.