Macbeth

At the start of the play we are introduced to Macbeth, by him being spoken of rather then a personal appearance. He is spoken of as 'brave Macbeth' and courageous soldier and the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is a much-respected man, as he is a loyal soldier who has fought for his country.

The king at the time was Duncan a very good friend of Macbeth, but how much of a good friend? When Macbeth and Banquo are returning from a battle they meet three witches who tell Macbeth that he would be king and Banquo that he will have sons that will be kings. Banquo dismisses these prophecies he finds them amusing 'your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so' (he is commenting on their non-existence feminine looks) but Macbeth doesn't, he is curious and when the witches speak up he is stunned to silence. We see Macbeth's character as flawless up until now, he seems so good and loyal, but he cannot be so good to associate with the evil, supernatural likes of the witches. Macbeth obviously believes in the supernatural as he believes the sayings of the witches. Macbeth now has his heart set on the thought of being king. However Malcolm (Duncan's son) is appointed to be king after the death of the king and Macbeth is made the Thane of Glamis.

After being appointed Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth and Banquo speak, Banquo talks of the witches being 'Instruments of Darkness, and evil' however Macbeth, aside, questions this statement, how could they be evil if had perceived something so good?. Also Macbeth begins to think of murder, 'Whose murder yet is but fantastical,' this is the beginning of the end of Macbeth. Macbeth's 'dark and deep desires' begin to be shown, but just to us as the audience, whenever he talks of murder or ambition it is to his wife or us, he is afraid of speaking openly about it, even to himself. But still these thoughts disgusted him he has a clear conscience, the thoughts disgusted him, but still they ran through his head like an express train. The ex- Thane of Cawdor was dubbed as being a traitor and King Duncan says 'he was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.' we can see that the successor is a man who the king is trusting to be loyal. Macbeth is beginning to become disloyal, with his thoughts; it is as if the robes, which he wears, have passed on the evil. This evil is like a disease. Macbeth's symptoms develop during the play, until there is no hope for him.
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Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have a very strong relationship, Lady Macbeth understands her husband, she knows he has great ambitions, and he is honourable, he will not do anything the deceiving way, so will have to help him.

Macbeth begins to play with the idea of killing Duncan, but now he is thinking of it in reality rather then it being fantastical. It's not Macbeth being a coward that stops Macbeth from doing the deed. Macbeth is wrestling with his conscience; he remembers how much he owes to Duncan. Macbeth decides that he will not kill ...

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