Macbeth is a study of how a central character degrades from, "Bellona's Bridegroom" to "this dead butcher." How far do you agree with this assesment?

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Macbeth is a study of how a central character degrades from “ Bellona’s bridegroom” (Act 1 scene 2) to “ this dead butcher.” (Act 5 scene 7). How far do you agree with this assessment? Use quotes to support your answer.

The play of Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s Tragedies and it certainly lives up to this title. Macbeth himself was a good and noble man trusted by the King. However amongst other factors his own greed and ambition brings about his demise.

The very start of the play describes the weather as thunder and lightning. This uses pathetic fallacy to create a mood, filled with darkness and menace. This beginning establishes a theme that runs throughout the play.

Throughout the play Macbeth’s character changes dramatically. He starts off being referred to as loyal and brave and is given the title of Thane of Cawdor. Yet as the play progresses and as a result of what the witches tell him, he becomes blood thirsty and is willing to do anything in order to make sure he gets what he wants.

Originally he was a loving man with a good heart, except the witches prophecies enthral him and he becomes overcome with desire. In order to feed his desire he finds himself committing murder after murder. He falls into the evil witches traps, the apparition that “no man of woman born can harm him” is the exploit of words that leads to Macbeth believing no-one can harm him, he is unstoppable.

Banquo proves to have been right to doubt the dependability of the witches. From the very beginning he had his suspicions about their true intent. “Win us with honest trifles, to betray in deepest consequence.” He may represent Macbeth’s conscience, having reservations about the witches once Banquo is killed Macbeth has no doubt, and kills Macduff’s family because the witches told him to beware Macduff. Another reason that this might be true is that Macbeth is haunted by Banquo at the dinner party. This could represent Macbeth feeling guilty for all that he has done and his conscience is reminding him just how wicked he has been.

The first time Macbeths name is mentioned, it comes from the mouth of a witch, “There to meet with Macbeth” in Act 1 Scene 1. This invites the idea that evil, and tragedy lies ahead for Macbeth.

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There are many things said in the beginning of this play that shows that Macbeth is thought highly of and respected. As Ross describes the fight to Duncan he calls Macbeth, Bellona’s bridegroom. Bellona was the goddess of war therefore Bellona’s bridegroom would be her husband. The King himself has Macbeth made Thane of Cawdor and tells him, “more is thy due than more than all can pay.” He also refers to Macbeth as, “O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman”. The fact that Macbeth is actually made Thane of Cawdor means that one of the witches’ prophecies has come true.

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