Macbetth - What factors contribute to his change in character and which dramatic devices help the audience become aware of his descent into evil?

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In committing Duncan’s murder and organising the murder of other influential characters, Macbeth’s character changes from good to evil.

What factors contribute to his change in character and which dramatic devices help the audience become aware of his descent into evil?

The play ‘Macbeth’ gives the audience plenty of opportunities to consider the reasons for the main characters actions. In this essay I will consider the four main factors that contributed to Macbeth’s descent into evil.

        In Act 1 Scene 2 (line 16) we find out that Macbeth is a brave warrior,

For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name”.

By saying this, the Captain is saying how brave he is and that he deserves to be called brave because of his acts during the battle.

When the captain reports back the latest news from the battle we find that Macbeth and Banquo fought an assault of fresh Norwegian troops undauntedly. They showed no fear towards them; this backs up the captain’s statement telling of Macbeth’s bravery. In this Scene we also find out that Macbeth is cousin to the King (Duncan). This becomes apparent in line 24 when Duncan replies to the Captains report with,

“O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman”.

With this remark Duncan is congratulating his cousin and agreeing that he deserves to be called brave, he thinks he is a good man to battle like he did.

Macbeth, by this time would have realised how well he did in battle and would be feeling pleased with himself. However he may now also be thinking that he could do better than just being a warrior and cousin to the King, he could have now become somewhat more ambitious.

        In Act 1 Scene 3 Macbeth and Banquo visit the witches; upon arrival the witches greet Macbeth with predictions that he will be Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. These predictions start on line 46,

“All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis”

“All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor”

“All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter”.

By saying this as Macbeth enters they are acting like people would after their predictions came true. This would at first have shocked Macbeth that they were speaking to him like this but then he soon would of caught on that this is what people would soon be doing in his presence.

Macbeth shows no hesitation in believing these predictions, this is possibly because Macbeth wants to be the Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland after doing well in the battle and becoming more ambitious. Banquo however is more suspicious about he witches predictions, line 50,

“Things that do sound so fair”

By this Banquo means that this prediction sounds too good to be true for Macbeth and something must stop it from being as simple as it sounds.

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Banquo tries to stop Macbeth thinking about the witches’ predictions too much, he tries to make Macbeth question whether the witches are real. He then, after thinking about he witches predictions asks them to tell him what the future holds for him. The witches prophesy does not look as good for Banquo however, he learns that his descendants will be Kings but he himself will not get such a title.

        Macbeth soon learns that the Thane of Cawdor is to be sentenced to death, Macbeth would then become the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth is amazed by this as ...

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