At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is very much considered a gallant “hero” and “full so valiant”. This is a result of the brave and heroic efforts during the conflict with the Norwegians. Macbeth is rewarded for this by being awarded “Thane Of Cawdor”. Macbeth informs Lady Macbeth of his newly acquired status, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth recognise that Macbeth is “King that shalt be”, and they are not “ignorant of what greatness is promised”. It is in fact the witches who prophesise the rise of Macbeth, and they offer him security throughout the play, claiming “no man, of woman born, shall harm Macbeth”.
Lady Macbeth, in the early areas of the play is the stronger of the two, in turn her confidence gives Macbeth confidence. This statement is largely based on the conversation they have prior to the murder of Duncan, where she mentions “when you durst do it, then you were a man. And to be more a man than what you were, you would be so much more a man”. At this particular point in the play will see Macbeth’s conscience in full effect. The soliloquy in which Macbeth claims “if it were done when ‘tis done, the ‘twere well it were done quickly”. At this point Macbeth agonises, alone of stage, over killing Duncan. But the most effective soliloquy where Macbeth is hallucinating over the dagger, the dagger that will take the life of Duncan. This is another example of Macbeth’s insecure state of mind, “a dagger of the mind, a false creation”. At this point Macbeth recognises himself that he has a “heat-opressèd brain”. In any case, the murder of Duncan takes place, Macbeth wins the war against his conscience on this occasion, but feels instant remorse, claiming “to know my deed, ‘twere best not to know myself”. On the contrary Lady Macbeth’s reaction to seeing the blood stained knife is simply “a little water clears us of this deed”. Macbeth acknowledges that Duncan was a good, enormously well respected and magisterial king, and he will be a very hard act to follow, “here lay day Duncan, his silver skin laced with golden blood”. In fact Macbeth envies the deceased Duncan, realising that Duncan has no more responsibilities, and Duncan now longer has to worry about the things Macbeth now worries about, “Duncann in his grace. After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well”.
It is Lady Macbeth’s persuasion that is the key factor, similar to later in the play where Macbeth is persuading the murderers that Banquo is their enemy. I don’t believe that without Lady Macbeth, Macbeth would be capable of such a ghastly deed.
His next crime is undertaken without any input by Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth admits his souls has become a domain of Satan’s. On this occasion, although not performing the murder himself, Macbeth acts without fear of consequence., he has become almost “dauntless”. It is after the death of Banquo that Macbeth’s conscience and anxieties really take effect, “full of scorpions is my mind”. This becomes quite clear when Macbeth sees Banquo sitting at the table, knowing he is dead, “his throat cut” with “twenty trenchèd gashes on his”. It is at this point where Lady Macbeth displays her mental strength, as opposed to Macbeth’s, which is seemingly weak. It is after this bizarre event that he shall go “to the weïrd sisters” and “more they shall speak”. This shows Macbeth needs to seek more refuge in the seemingly comfortable words of the witches. The second witch says “something wicked this way comes”. I think Shakespeare is attempting to emphasise the evil of Macbeth, by making something as intrinsically evil evil as a witch call him “wicked”. The witches, expectedly, offer Macbeth great security and confidence, “Macbeth shall never be vanquished”.
With his new found inner confidence, Macbeth focuses his attention on the suspecting Macduff. It is important for the reader to recognise that Macduff did not attend the coronation of Macbeth. Macbeth then plots to kill Macduff’s “wfie, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him his line”. Then, it would could possible considered the worst crimes, because of the fact that Lady Macduff and her children are completely innocent, Lady Macduff and her children are killed mercilessly. After this event, I as a reader, find it very difficult to sympathise with Macbeth, for the simple fact that Lady Macduff and her children are innocent victims of Macbeth’s fury, and want for immune power.
At the end of the play, with his castle under attack and his whole world caving in on him, Macbeth has some of his definitive moments in the play. He realises that his life is “a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing”. He also realises that he will only ever have “mouth honour”, and will never gain the respect that his preconception of king implied.
In my opinion Macbeth doesn’t comply with the typical virtues of a tragic hero. I think the contrasting characters played by Macduff and and his wife, highlight the evil characteristics of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and this makes it more difficult for them to be accepted by the audience or reader. But I don’t believe that Macbeth is totally evil, for the simple fact that if he was, he would never have shown any remorse.
