In this essay I will show you how far Macbeth is driven by his own ambition, how far his own wife dominates him and finally how far the witches (weird sisters) influence him.

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February 20th, 2003

Kendra Chisholm

10SCB

The play “Macbeth” gives the audience many chances to think about the reasons for the main character’s actions. In this essay I will show you how far Macbeth is driven by his own ambition, how far his own wife dominates him and finally how far the witches (weird sisters) influence him.  

It is obvious at the beginning of the play that Macbeth is dissatisfied with his rewards. I think that this is one of the main reasons why he believes what the witches tell him, “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.” (p.11. Act 1 Scene 3, Line 47-48) Macbeth is very happy and amazed when he hears the predictions and says, “Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor. The greatest is behind.” (p.15. Act 1 Scene 3, Line 115-116) Banquo, however, wonders if this is all real and says to Macbeth, “That trusted home, might yet enkindle you unto the crown, besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ‘tis strange, and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence. – Cousins, a word, I pray you.” (p.15. Act 1 Scene 3, Line 119-126) Banquo tells Macbeth that forces of evil sometimes tell people small things that will come true so they can deceive them into believing greater things, which are false. He’s therefore warning Macbeth to be careful.

The audience knows that unlike Macbeth, Banquo has no hidden ambitions and is just looking out for his friend. They know that Banquo recognises the witches for what they really are and momentarily puts them out of his mind. They also realise that Macbeth believes the witches possibly because of the fact that they speak what he wants to hear for they echo his own thoughts.

There are other occasions, which demonstrate how far Macbeth is driven by his own ambition. The three occasions that I will be mentioning all are related to murders. The first of which is about the murder of Duncan. During the few scenes that lead up to the murder, it is evident that Macbeth is scared about the whole idea of killing Duncan. While thinking about it for the first time, he claims that the “murder is but fantastical” (p.17 Act 1 Scene 3, Line 135) He knows, though, that he will probably only become king once Duncan is dead. However, he says, “if chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir.” (p.17. Act 1 Scene 3, Line 43-49) He realises that he didn’t do anything before so he won’t do anything now. Then he says “come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.” (p.17. Act 1 Scene 3, Line 145-46) Here, Macbeth is saying that sooner or later he will get over the thought of killing Duncan.

The audience, if observant, will notice that Macbeth is first to mention murder. The witches said nothing about murdering anyone. Although he may only think of the murder to exist in his imagination, Macbeth is the one who connects the ideas of kingship and murder.

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Macbeth later asks himself two questions: The first is, “If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.” (p.17. Act 1 Scene 3, Line 130-132) So, here Macbeth is saying that if the witches’ predictions are evil, then why have good things come out of it so far. Why is he Thane of Glamis and now Thane of Cawdor? The second question that he asks himself is: “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock ...

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