How does the character of Macbeth develop throughout the play?

Look at how quickly Macbeth goes from being a loyal, honorable soldier and husband to a vicious, desperate tyrant.                                                                                                                                        

The witches (Act 1, Scene 3) - Why do the witches' prophecies have so much power over Macbeth?

Macbeth and Banquo hear the same words - but they react in very different ways. Why is Macbeth so moved?

The witches speak dangerous thoughts that Macbeth is thinking himself.

'Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings:
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical
Shakes so my single state of man...' (I, iii)

This is probably the most important point. His reaction is as if someone has read his mind.

Macbeth immediately takes one step towards the kingship

'Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor
the greatest is behind.' (I, iii)

Macbeth is excited by the witches' words, but when he receives news that he is now Thane of Cawdor, he has proof that they know the future and he begins to believe them.

Macbeth is essentially a vulnerable person:

'...why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair,
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature?' (I, iii)

The witches choose the right time and place to approach him. He is full of the glory of the recent battle and fresh from fighting and killing.

Before the murder (Act 1, Scene 7) - Did Macbeth really want to kill Duncan?

Look at these pieces of evidence to show that Macbeth was acting of his own free will.

His excuses show that he does still really want the crown.

'He hath honoured me of late: and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss...' (I, vii)

He says he is enjoying the feeling of being famous and powerful.

Lady Macbeth's persuasion quickly works on him.

'I am settled and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.' (I, vii)

It does not take him long to submit to Lady Macbeth's taunts, even though they are so harsh.

By the end, he has taken over the planning himself:

'Will it not be receiv'd,
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers,
That they have done't?' (I, vii)

He temporarily loses his doubt and fear.

The morning after the murder (Act 2, Scene 3)-What state of mind is Macbeth in after the murder?

Which emotions might Macbeth be feeling, four hours after the murder? In this scene he actually shows a strange mixture, and it is hard to tell sometimes because his speech is so ambiguous (it could have more than one meaning).

Fear and shock:

'Twas a rough night.' (II, iii)

At the start of the scene, Macbeth is tense and edgy. He is trapped between the door and Lennox's speech, and seems unable to say more than brief, formal statements.

Guilt and regret for the murder:

'Had I but died an hour before this chance
I had lived a blessed time.' (II, iii)

Some of his words suggest he is feeling these emotions.

How does the character of Macbeth develop throughout the play? Use the timeline to remind yourself about the key events of the play and Macbeth's changing thoughts and feelings, before working through some important questions about Macbeth's character. We have chosen quotations to support the points made, but try to find other examples yourself to use in your essays.

Look at how quickly Macbeth goes from being a loyal, faithful subject and husband to a vicious, desperate tyrant.