Discuss the character of Macbeth in the first two acts up to and including the murder of Duncan

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Discuss the character of Macbeth in the first two acts up to and including the murder of Duncan

        In the first two acts up to and including the murder of Duncan we find out a lot about the character of Macbeth. First of all we find out that he is a great warrior in battle. He is a vicious and ruthless killer because on page 2 the Captain said that “He unseam’d him from the knave to th’ chaps and fix’d his head upon our battlements.” He is thought of as being brave and courageous because Malcolm says “this is the sergeant who like a good and hardy soldier fought ‘gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend…” The captain also thinks of Macbeth as being brave and courageous as he says “… for brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name…” He is also a noble and great leader as Duncan says, “What he hast lost, noble Macbeth hath won.” Macbeth is seen as a hero in the eyes of others because he saved the kingdom from an uprising and an invasion.

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        However, Macbeth also has some weaknesses which Lady Macbeth takes advantage of. Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to murder Duncan but he would not do it, so Lady Macbeth gets round this problem by talking about his manhood on page 20 line 49, where she says “When you durst do it, then you were a man; who dares do more is none.” Macbeth does not like being accused of him having a lack of manhood and so his wife easily persuades him into doing the murder. Macbeth is also very weak minded because he has an inability to make a decision ...

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