How does Macbeth’s character change throughout the play?

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Essay: How does Macbeth’s character change throughout the play?

The play of Macbeth, written by Shakespeare is all about power, greed, betrayal and temptation. It is about ambition overriding inhibitions and the conscience of a good man. The paly Macbeth demonstrate how a popular, brave, honourable soldier could commit treason against a kind, devoted King, and slowly disintegrate into an evil tyrant who had lost all human emotions all because he was gullible and was too obsessed about his own goals. Although the three witches and his wife had contributed much into Macbeth’s downfall, if he had not been so susceptible, the play Macbeth would not have been a tragedy.

At the beginning of the play (Act 1 Scene 2), Macbeth was portrayed as one who was loved and admired by many. He was said to be tough and courageous as he had “with his brandished steel which smoked with bloody execution like Valour’s minion, carved out a passage…” and was also described as a “worthy gentleman”. Before Macbeth fell into the witches’ trap, he was loyal to the throne and Duncan. He fought fearlessly for the country and was then rewarded with a thaneship of Cawdor. Banquo was Macbeth’s best friend; they fought side by side in their battles and were companions. They were concerned about each other as seen from (Act 1 Scene 3) where Banquo advised Macbeth not to believe in the witches’ prophases and that they were probably going to betray him at the end. Macbeth was a loving husband. Macbeth and lady Macbeth had an affectionate relationship where Lady Macbeth was Macbeth’s “dearest love”. Even far away from home in a battle, Macbeth still managed to write a letter to his wife, which further showed his care for Lady Macbeth. In the early stages of Act 1, Macbeth was a successful, admired soldier; he was a good friend and he was a loving husband, but all was about to change.

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Macbeth’s weaknesses were illustrated fairly early in the play. When Macbeth and Banquo saw the witches, he was afraid and was totally consumed into his own thoughts. He was unable to hide his feelings, was extremely superstitious and was morally weak. He did not completely believe the witches’ predictions at first, however, when he had received the news about his reward of the thaneship, he became totally obsessive in his ambitions to become the King. When Macbeth was uncertain if he should murder the King or not, his wife’s simple emotional blackmail placed him right back on his track ...

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