as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed Act 1 scene 7 lines 13-14
About Duncan - He hath honoured me of late Act 1 scene 7 line 33
When Lady Macbeth hears of the witch's prophecy she is determined that Macbeth will become King. She talks to him and finds out that he too wants to be King but knows he will have to kill Duncan to achieve this ambition, Macbeth assures Lady Macbeth that this is only a thought. Lady Macbeth really wants Macbeth to become King so she subtly manipulates his feelings and his thoughts. She does this in a very devious and cunning way. Lady Macbeth makes Macbeth feel like he is not a man if he does not kill Duncan. She 'picks' at his ego and makes him feel like a boy and not a man. The way Lady Macbeth does this is to make Macbeth feel like no one is telling him to do anything he doesn't want to do, he feels like he is making his own decisions, but in actual fact Lady Macbeth is doing it for him. She makes Macbeth feel a failure, she doesn't directly tell him this, she seems to 'plant' it subconsciously, and in doing this it makes him want to prove her wrong, he can kill! Duncan.
Yet I do fear thy nature: It is too full o'the milk of human - kindness Act 1 scene 5 line 15-16
In the play we do not see Macbeth murder Duncan, this is because this is not what he really wanted to do, he is intimidated by his wife and he is ashamed about what he has done. As soon as Macbeth re-appears after killing Duncan and framing the King's sons, he seems quiet, his lines become shorter and he is much more contemplative. His lines become more cynical and sinister. This happens as soon as he murdered Duncan and people notice the change in him. So much so that Banquo begins to suspect him of the Kings murder. Earlier in the play, Lady Macbeth says that she will drug Duncan and his sons, and as Macbeth seems intimidated by his wife it leads us to believe that she has also drugged him in the past.
There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried 'Murder!' Act 2 scene 2 line 20
After Duncan's murder Macbeth changes dramatically. He begins to speak in more sinister tones and doesn't seem to care about anything other than what he had done to Duncan; he wishes he could go back and change what he did. His attitude changes towards Lady Macbeth and anyone else he talks to. He starts to prophesise his own death and he begins to blame Lady Macbeth. He becomes cunning in his lying towards others, mainly towards Banquo and himself although he does hint towards his guilt.
shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more Act 2 scene 2 line 44
For ruin's wasteful entrance; there are the murderers, Steeped in the colours of their trade Act 2 scene 3 lines 111-112
Macbeth's lowest point is when he hires two murderers and becomes delusional and slightly insane. Macbeth hires the murderers to kill Banquo as he is the next step for Macbeth to become King. He now believes that if he has killed the King, he may as well kill Banquo and Fleance, his son, as nothing worse can happen. He believes this because he is now set on becoming King and nothing will stand in his way. Macbeth is losing sleep and is having nightmares and he has to hide his mental state so that he is not suspected by anyone. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he has made a serious decision, but does not tell her what. This decision is that he has persuaded murderers to kill Banquo and his son. This gives us the impression that he is now doing this of his own free will and not under pressure from his wife to continue killing to become King of Scotland. Despite all his violent efforts he still feels threatened.
bound in to saucy doubts and fears. Act 3 scene 4 lines 23 -24
After the three murderers have killed Banquo, his ghost appears at the Macbeth's banquet, he is the only one that can see him and he is talking to the ghost that has just sat in his seat, to all the other guests Macbeth appears crazy.
Gentlemen, rise. His highness is not well. Act 3 scene 4 line 52
In scene 6 of act 3 we find out that Macduff and part of the Scottish army has joined with England in an attempt to overthrow Macbeth from his position. In Act 4 scene 1 Macbeth demands that his questions are answered by the three witches. Macbeth's questions are answered by apparitions. He is told contradicting prophecies about his fate. He is warned of Macduff, told he will not be killed by anyone born to a woman and he need not worry until the Birnan Wood moves toward his castle. The first prophesies made Macbeth feel secure but now these prophecies by the apparitions have made him expect death and he realises all he has done is for nothing. He is now resigned to death. He does not cope with this very well and takes revenge on Macduff for trying to overthrow him by sending his murderers to kill his wife and children. In act 5 scene 5 Macbeth is told that Lady Macbeth is dead and he continues in a speech of how pointless life is.
Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits. The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the deed go with it. Act 4 scene 1 lines 46-47
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more ......signifying nothing Act 5 Scene 5 lines 23-25 and 27
As Macbeth is now resigned to death he goes into battle not worrying about losing his life, he battles to the end. Shakespeare has him kill Young Siward in battle because he was born of a woman, but as Macbeth is battling with Macduff he is telling him that he cannot be harmed by him because he was also born of a woman. Macduff goes onto say that he was 'ripped' from his mother's womb at the moment of her death, therefore he was not born by a woman. Macbeth becomes scared and tells Macduff that he does not want to fight with him. Shortly after this Macbeth is slain by Macduff. We feel no sympathy or respect for Macbeth in his final moments because he knows he has done wrong but will not apologise for his violent, evil murders and lies. Even though he may have at first been 'forced' to kill by his wife, he then carried on killing of his own free will and for revenge. We could only feel sympathy for him if he had not been sound of mind at the beginning and he was forced to kill ! the people he had but he was not forced, he did it out of greed and ignorance. Even in his last moments Macbeth vows to kill Macduff even if it means sacrificing himself.
Tell thee Macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripped Act 5 scene 6 line 54-55
I will not yield Act 5 scene 6 line 66
Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Act 5 scene 6 line 71-72
