Macbeth Essay

Macbeth states that “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir.” Macbeth is satisfied with fate, as long as he is going to be crowned king; he says that he will not intervene with destiny. However, as the play continues, it is clear that Macbeth will be doing as much as possible to position himself as king. In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the author uses the device of characterization of Macbeth through Macbeth’s thoughts and through his actions portray a weak, evil character, striving to be king.

Through the play, Macbeth’s thoughts and his thought process develop as he changes and tries to manipulate fate. At the beginning, Macbeth is very interested in the prophecies of the three witches, and his thoughts turn directly to the idea of murder. However, quickly the audience sees that he is horrified by such consideration. Macbeth becomes sick at the idea of killing King Duncan, “horrible imaginings" – his hair stands on end and his heart races, "knock at the ribs. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical shakes so my single state." Further into the plot, Macbeth begins to believe that he will need to take a step to help fate make him king. He and Lady Macbeth create a well designed idea in order to kill Duncan. However, Macbeth begins to think twice, “We will proceed no further in this business: [Duncan] hath honour’d me of late.” This portrays how Macbeth’s idea of murder has evolved, but also displays how Macbeth has not completely transformed; he still thinks murder is a heinous act. Lastly, once Macbeth’s conversion has completed, he states “For mine own good all causes shall give way. I am in blood stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’ver.” This is significant because he states that once a man commits a vicious act for himself, it is impractical to stop. Macbeth is willing to do anything, no matter how horrible the act, to help himself and remain as king. Not only do the thoughts of Macbeth evolve greatly, but his actions alter, as well.

The power of fate causes Macbeth to commit murderous acts in the play, however his fluctuations between wicked actions and instances of guilt display the utilization of characterization through Macbeth’s actions. Throughout the play, Macbeth plans and commits a series of murders to secure his position as king. After Macbeth murders his good friend, Banquo, Macbeth goes into a state of intense guilt. These fluctuations of Macbeth’s actions illustrate the tragic tension. Macbeth is too ruthless to stop himself from murderous acts, yet he is too careful to be content with being a murderer. Although it can be argued that fate was controlling Macbeth’s actions, it was truly Macbeth’s free will and ambition. This can be suggested because the Weird Sisters never actually mention murder; Macbeth’s thoughts immediately directed him towards assassination. The evilness in Macbeth’s character develops through the play, however the audience sees that his weak character cannot overcome this misfortune.

Shakespeare uses the characterization of Macbeth, through thoughts and actions, to demonstrate a weak, evil, character securing his position as king. It is clear, as Macbeth develops, that his thoughts evolve greatly, from the idea of murder sickening Macbeth, to admitting he will do anything to promise his ranking as king. The instability of Macbeth’s heinous acts and his moments of guilt, reassure the audience that Macbeth is a weak character, committing actions by free will and ambition, but encouraged by fate. Although Macbeth’s fate was set in stone, as told by the Weird Sisters, the choices he made ultimately decided the circumstances at which he arrived to be king.

-kaylee anderson