Even though he does not state it out loud, Macbeth does not care about morality and religion, as demonstrated in his soliloquy where he lists the three reasons why he should not kill Duncan: he is "his kinsman," "his subject" and "his host." Also, Lady Macbeth feels that he is "too full o' th' milk of human kindness." To counter this trait she uses reverse psychology by accusing Macbeth of being a coward who goes back on his promises if he does not kill Duncan. Macbeth does not want to be a coward, both as a soldier or as husband, so he accepts to carry out the deed. His ambition and self-image of bravery, therefore, win over his virtues.
Being King, Macbeth is troubled by remorse and finds it hard to sleep. He is fearful of Banquo because he knows what the witches prophesied and hence may suspect Macbeth, which is a potential danger to his rule. Another thing that bothers him is that he refuses to accept that he turned evil just for Banquo's sons to be kings and so decides to challenge Fate by killing Banquo and thus his descendants. Once he does, he is haunted by Banquo's death and is also worried about the loyalty of other lords towards him, like Macduff. Overall, Macbeth exchanged his peace of mind for a troublesome crown by allowing his impatient ambition for power to overcome his virtues.
As time goes by, Macbeth becomes unsure about his security as king, and so in order to know what the future holds for him, he decides to visit the witches. The witches reassure him that he will continue to have power. He is also told that he will not be defeated until the Wood of Birnam comes to Dunsinane and that anybody born of woman cannot harm him and, all of these events seem impossible to Macbeth.
The news that Malcolm and his troops have come to Dunsinane makes him uneasy, but he remembers the words of the witches and rests assured that he doesn’t need to be afraid. By this time Macbeth is aware of all the trouble being king has brought him, so he becomes very regretful, and realizes that even if he prevails he will not have honor and love when he grows older.
He fully accepts that being king is not worth the peace of mind he and Lady Macbeth enjoyed before. Lady Macbeth’s suicide does not strike him so much with sorrow but rather presents his pessimistic view of life. When he begins to realise that he will most likely lose the war, he considers suicide, but quickly rejects the thought as he still has hope in the second prophecy of the witches, which promised that nobody born of woman can hurt him.
When Macduff encounters Macbeth, the hint of consciousness left in Macbeth is shown through his refusal to fight Macduff, as he is already feeling too guilty for killing his family. Macbeth is sure he will kill Macduff too because he is born of a woman. Eventually Macbeth and Macduff fight, and Macbeth dies after Macduff informs him that he was born with a scissarian birth. Macbeth maintains his dignity at the end and proves not to be a coward by dying in battle.
In conclusion Macbeth was tempted and cheated by the witches. His own ambitions and passions deceived him into changing his virtues, in return for power. At the end he is wary of life and fully aware of the deception. He pays all the consequences of his betrayal but still dies like the brave soldier that he once was.
By: Mohamad Naji - Year 10
