Shakespeare's text 'Macbeth' is the tale of a man ruined by his own ambition

How does Macbeth’s character turn from ‘fair’ to ‘foul’?

Shakespeare’s text ‘Macbeth’ is the tale of a man ruined by his own ambition. The story of Macbeth is an example of power at the expense of everything else, he begins the play as a strong character that is greatly admired, however as the play progresses Macbeth's personality and actions become more and more devious which eventually leads to his destruction. His character changed from a ‘brave’ and ‘noble’ person to a ‘dead butcher’. Following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth realises that the murder has put him into the control of supernatural forces by the witches’ this to the witches’ is seen as a game. The words ‘fair’ and ‘foul’ were first said by the witches at the end of act 1 scene 1 these words have a great effect on his character, one will discuss this further in the essay.

William Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ between the years of 1603 and 1606. This coincides with the ascension of James the Sixth of Scotland to the English throne whereby he became known as James I. James I believed he to have special powers because he was king and he also had an interest in witchcraft, apparitions and ghosts. The use of witchcraft in ‘Macbeth’ relates to the topicality of these issues, as Shakespeare’s audience would have been aware of these. During Shakespeare’s life there had been much confusion in Britain regarding the throne and religion. The country, therefore, knew only too well the dreadful implications of revolution and chaos. This is reflected in ‘Macbeth.’

‘Macbeth’ opens with an overwhelming sense of unease. The three witches symbolise supernatural happenings, which adds to the dramatic tension and foreboding. The witches’ use of rhyming couplets throughout the play adds to the magical sense. The oxymoron at the end of scene one -

‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair,

Hover through the fog and filthy air.’

The play is opened by the witches outside; there is thunder and lightning. All of these things would have shocked and terrified a Shakespearean audience. Outside scenes are full of chaos because the outdoors was seen as unsafe. Weather and the natural elements were said to reflect the state of life for men on Earth, therefore bad weather meant bad times. In Shakespeare’s texts the most important character would open the piece. Witches opening a performance would have been unimaginable.

The witches obviously have a strong influence over important characters in the play. King Duncan echoes the witches' words without hearing them. The second witch says:

“When the battles lost and won.”

Duncan echoes this by saying:

“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.”

Macbeth is initially presented as valiant, brave, noble, honourable, loyal and courageous by King Duncan, for whom Macbeth is a general. Duncan receives reports of Macbeth’s heroism, which ensure victory for the king’s cause. In gratitude for the victory, Macbeth, who is Thane of Glamis, is to be presented with the title of Thane of Cawdor. The audience’s curiosity regarding Macbeth has been aroused. Furthermore, Macbeth’s first line in the play echoes the oxymoron used by the witches –

“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”

These words appear to contradict each other and therefore links Macbeth to the witches’. The witches’ words have been put in Macbeth’s mouth. Therefore he must in some way be associated with them and their evils. This gives the reader ideas that the witches were heavy influences over people of high stature as they have some control over Macbeth and Duncan without them knowing it.

When the witches meet with Macbeth they pretend to respect him.

“All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee...”

It becomes obvious this honour is false later in the script, as they do not then need him to think they admire him so they do not regard him. The witches deliberately seek out Macbeth and Banquo, and make specific predictions about their future. They greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King to be.

The witches’ received very different reactions from Banquo and Macbeth concerning the news of Macbeth’s new titles. Banquo’s is one of possible scepticism ...

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When the witches meet with Macbeth they pretend to respect him.

“All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee...”

The witches’ received very different reactions from Banquo and Macbeth concerning the news of Macbeth’s new titles. Banquo’s is one of possible scepticism asking “are ye fantastical?” whereas Macbeth by Banquo’s description appears to be enthralled. Banquo asks them to speak to him saying he neither fears their hatred nor wants favours from them. Is he perhaps implying Macbeth does? The witches speak in riddles, which shall only be understood when the subject of them has taken place. They say Banquo shall be:

“Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.”

“Not so happy, yet much happier.”

These seemingly opposing terms spoken, both come into realisation by the end of the text. Macbeth orders them to stay, his curiosity getting the better of him. He is obviously confused about what they told him feeling rightly that they have only revealed to him half of the story. However they show total disrespect towards him and disappear, leaving the two bewildered.

The witches’ prophecies clearly have much power over Macbeth, more so than Banquo. It was not Macbeth that chose the moment of their first meeting and one believes they picked a time, which would leave him more vulnerable and willing to be influenced by them. He was fresh from battle and full of triumph, which would make him feel indestructible. He would be left thinking he could achieve anything and thoughts of rising above his station in the hierarchy would not be impossible. Macbeth begs the weird sisters to stay and tries to question them.

“Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more.”

He is clearly yearning desperately for information or else he would not mix with these evil creatures for longer than he had to. Later he speaks to himself:

“Present fears

Are less than horrible imaginings:

My thought whose murder yet is but fantastical

Shakes so my single state of man...”

The witches disappear before the King’s messengers arrive to inform Macbeth of his inherited title of Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth believes this to be a fulfilment of the prophecy. In his soliloquies it becomes apparent that Macbeth has not only thought about being King, but also believes what the witches tell him is true –

‘Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor:

The greatest is behind’

‘Two truths are told,

As happy prologues to the swelling act

Of the imperial theme.’

He has ambitions for himself and Macbeth’s change and ride to power has begun. Ambition is Macbeth’s weakness and is not only the driving force of Macbeth’s life but the theme and fatal weakness that leads to his downfall by allowing his ambition, through his wife and the witches, to suppress his good qualities and make him ruthless. The title quote by one of the king’s sons, Malcolm, to Macduff, the thane of Fife, refers to Macbeth as a ‘tyrant’. Therefore, the other characters in the play see Macbeth as ruthless, cruel and a traitor. The play traces the rise of Macbeth from a general to the King of Scotland, and then his downfall, which leads to his death. ‘Macbeth’ is a tragedy – a tragedy has a tragic hero – someone noble who is to be admired. However, a tragic hero has a fatal weakness in his character or makes mistakes, perhaps through external influences. These mistakes lead to the hero’s downfall and death. Macbeth is a hero, but one who is fatally undermined by his ambition and the consequences of this ambition. It is the ambition that leads him to the witches, and it is ambition, which leads him to murder, treason, hypocrisy, corruption and deepest evil. Macbeth, can be referred to as a ‘tragic’ hero as the hero believes himself to be practicing a code of behaviour. Whereas, other characters in the play view him as a tyrant, it is possible for the audience to sympathise with him, as they know he is following fate and is driven by forces beyond his control.

Initially, in spite of being ambitious, it is clear that he is not easily won over to evil and he throws up many objections to murdering Duncan in order to ascend to the throne. Shakespeare reveals Macbeth’s thoughts and feelings through soliloquies –

‘This supernatural soliciting,

Cannot be ill, cannot be good’

However, he allows the witches’ prophecy and his wife’s ambition for him to undermine his integrity. Macbeth is judged by his wife to have a nature –

‘Too full o’the milk of human kindness’

Although physically strong, Macbeth is weak emotionally. The question of manhood is important to Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth uses this as an advantage to persuade him to murder Duncan –

‘When you durst do it,

Then you were a man’

He is taunted to such an extent that he is prepared to ‘bend up each corporal agent to this terrible deed,’ but when the deed is done he says – ‘To know my deed twere best not know myself.’ The battle for his self-esteem is lost and won.

Immediately after the death of Duncan, Macbeth is disgusted with himself for murdering Duncan. Macbeth shows this when he states:

‘I have done the deed’

He says this instead of simply saying that he has murdered Duncan and is consequently almost trying to avoid the subject. This demonstrates that Macbeth is deeply ashamed of what he has done. Macbeth also feels that the killing of Duncan has cut him off from God, because before the murder the text is full of references to things being divine, but following the murder everything in the text becomes bleak and unholy. At this point in the play Macbeth does not feel he is a good man anymore and is feeling so awful that he feels that he can never be happy again. Additionally, it is considered that at this point in the play he is possibly feeling suicidal, this observation is demonstrated by his words:

‘If I had died but an hour before this chance, I had liv'd a blessed time’

At this point he feels that his life is very bleak and he is generally feeling very awful and worthless. However, almost immediately after he says this he manages to cover up for the murder of Duncan by lying to Macduff about the killing of the stable boys who he alleged had murdered Duncan:

‘Those of his chamber, as it seem'd had done't:

their hands and faces were all badg'd with blood;

so were their daggers, which unwiped we found

upon their pillows: they star'd and were distracted;’

By lying to Macduff it shows that he still wants to fulfil his side of the prophecy by becoming the King of Scotland. This means that Macbeth is no longer so devastated about the killing of the King as was first indicated in the play and demonstrates the alluring sexual power of Lady Macbeth who is ambitious to become the Queen. Macbeth is easily led by his wife, because had she not been there to push him along with the murder then in all probability, Macbeth would not have killed Duncan. His actions also show his greed and ambition by killing someone he apparently dearly loved.

The turning point is at the banquet after Macbeth has been chosen as king. He has achieved all the power he is ever going to achieve; we have witnessed the rise of Macbeth. All except Macduff, who discovers the body, are willing to accept him as king. However, in a soliloquy, Macbeth thinks –

‘To be thus is nothing.’

He means to make his position safe and also reveals that the witches’ prediction that Banquo’s offspring should become king is entirely unacceptable to him. He hires two murderers to perform the murder of Banquo and Fleance. Lady Macbeth, who has been his ‘dearest partner of greatness’, is not privy to his plans-

‘Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest Chuck,’

Macbeth has detached himself from his reliance on his wife. Banquo’s murder results in disaster for Macbeth. At a feast soon after his death, his chair is occupied by a ghost. This ghost can be viewed as Macbeth’s guilt, invisible to others, but a terrifying reality to Macbeth himself. When the ghost and guests have gone, Macbeth’s mind is still in turmoil, he can see no way out of his dilemma but to crush everyone around him who questions his will. He decides to revisit the witches, his reliance on them increases as reliance on his wife decreases, his decline in power begins and his wickedness increases.

By Act 4 Scene 1, it becomes apparent that Macbeth has now become the most evil character in the play. This is demonstrated by the witches:

"Something wicked this way comes"

This is ironic as the witches, who are evil, are calling Macbeth evil, therefore as above making him the most evil character in the play. Macbeth is also becoming more attached to the witches, as the play nears the end; Macbeth starts to speak in rhyme as the witches do. This may be because by that point in the play Macbeth has come to a point where he thinks of nothing else. At Act 4, Scene 1 from line fifty onwards, Macbeth is willing to sacrifice anything to get an answer about his future and it is considered that the prophecies give Macbeth a false sense of security.

The decline of Macbeth’s reputation towards the middle of the play is obvious, the title ‘tyrant’ has been introduced and not a good word is uttered about him. Macduff claims –

‘Not in the legions,

Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned

In evils to top Macbeth,’

The brave Macbeth at the start of the play is now frequently out of rational control. In situation after situation he is preoccupied with speculations. He can only act when he does not allow himself to think and this results in his actions becoming more and more bizarre. Duncan and Banquo’s murders result in scenes where the horror forces itself into his mind to the neglect of all else.

When he commands the witches to answer his questions and is told of three prophecies, his self–identification with evil seems complete. He knows what to do. The irony is that all the prophecies are double-edged and turn against him. It is his obsessive and literal belief in the prophecies that destroys him. The witches succeed in destroying every aspect of his humanity. Caught in a web of his own making, his commands are desperate and pathetic and his confusion, which was apparent at the start of the play, increases towards the end –

‘I pull in resolution . . .

I’ gin to be aweary of the sun

And wish th’ estate o’th world were now undone.

‘Macbeth’ is a play about the downfall of an honest and brave man through corruption and ambition. The instruments of corruption are the witches and his wife. Macbeth is vulnerable to the witches influence because he hears them articulate what he thinks and he is vulnerable to his wife because he is sensitive to her taunts regarding his manhood and determination. However, our initial expectations are inverted because Macbeth increases in ruthlessness and evil whereas Lady Macbeth degenerates into mental instability.

Macbeth’s cruelty is the practice of wickedness and his advisers are ‘instruments of darkness’. This is contrasted with Duncan who is a symbol of all things that Macbeth overthrows and destroys. Images of light are connected with Duncan, who says that the signs of nobility are ‘like stars’. In contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are creatures of the dark as darkness symbolises treachery and evil. Lady Macbeth promises Macbeth that there shall be no sun for Duncan in the morning as a result –

‘This night’s great business’

‘Come thick night’

The theme of chaos and disorder also runs throughout the play. Shakespeare uses toads, snakes and birds of prey to suggest a chaotic and menacing atmosphere. Nature is turned upside down after Duncan’s murder, hawks are killed by their prey and Duncan’s horses eat each other. The image of blood also runs throughout the play. Shakespeare uses it as a symbol for the evil that is associated with Macbeth and it is also used as part of the imagery to create a sense of menace and destruction. Much of this imagery and symbolism should be thought of in the religious climate in which the play was written.

Contrasts can also be seen in the characters of Macbeth and Banquo. Banquo is morally superior and is promised happiness by the witches. In contrast Macbeth is a tortured character, Shakespeare informs the audience of Macbeth’s tortured mind through his soliloquies. Shakespeare lays bare Macbeth’s thoughts through the play and his confusion is apparent. In his dialogue there is a shift from a diplomatic but hollow language to bullying language full of exclamation marks, question marks and commands.

Macbeth manages to leave the play as a tragic-hero. One believes his down fall was his fault as without him nothing would have been possible. Fate and destiny are possible factors but it was his own judgement and decision making which led things to result how they did. He was physically strong but mentally he had many flaws. People manipulated these flaws but if they did not exist then none of it would have been conceivable. If fate or the witches took responsibility then they still chose Macbeth to do these wicked deeds because of who he was and who they could easily make him. If fate controlled Macbeth then fate also made Macbeth’s disposition. Without Macbeth’s ambition none of the situations, which arose, could have occurred the same. Therefore I believe Macbeth was the source of his own downfall, which leads his character to being a foul ‘dead butcher’.