"Yet I do fear thy nature ... it is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way".
Lady Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 3, Line 15
I personally feel that Lady Macbeth's fears where in fact true, as Macbeth was, at this point, much too loyal to be able to carry out the deed. There is an obvious ambition within Mabeth, but I feel that he shares the same opinion as Duncan himself, that a King is chosen by god, rather than by a person and it is a role that should be honoured and respected. The following quote made by Macbeth states his inital feelings at the prophesies and also reinforces his heroic qualities.
"... and to be King stands not within the prospect of belief, not more than to be Cawdor".
Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 3, Line 73
It is my personal opinion that in Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth is portrayed as not being either a true hero or villain, but in fact as being a weak character. This scene basically shows Macbeth having serious doubts concerning the possible upcoming assassination of King Duncan. This leads to Lady Macbeth using a variety of tactics to enable Macbeth to carry out the deed.
The opening of Act 1, Scene 7 sees Macbeth speaking a monologue, basically stating his inner thoughts and feelings on the possible assassination of Duncan. It is my personal opinion that this monologue strongly portrays the dilemma in which he currently stands. At this point, Macbeth is still highly loyal to his King and country, yet there is still an obvious ambition within him. There is also an obvious guilt as he feels that Duncan has basically pledged an immense
amount of trust upon him, along with the fact that Duncan has been such a 'fine' king.
"He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed, then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan hath borne his facilities so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels".
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7, Line 12
The end of Macbeth's monologue immediately see's the entrance of Lady Macbeth to the scene, abruptly demanding to know why Macbeth had left the feast celebrating Scotland's victory over Norway. Due to the emotions Macbeth is feeling at this point, he tells Lady Macbeth the couple will "proceed no further in this business", to which he explains that is due to the respect Duncan has recently showed him, he would not be able to carry out the deed. I personally feel this greatly angers and frustrates Lady Macbeth, which leads to her using a variety of tactics to try and persuade Macbeth round to her way of thinking. Examples of these tactics is when Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth as a coward, and tells him she would rather kill a new born child whilst feeding at her breast rather than break a promise like Macbeth has to her.
"And live a coward in thine own esteem, letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I
would' ".
Lady Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7, Line 43
"I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, whilst it was smiling in my face, have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash'd the brains out, had I sworn as you have done to this"
Lady Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7, Line 54
It is clearly obvious by line 59 when Macbeth says 'if we should fail-' that Lady Macbeth's tactics have won Macbeth round to her way of thinking. This scene clearly demonstrates Lady Macbeth's dominance and power over Macbeth, which I feel was a major influence over her husbands decisions. Yet, this is not the only persuasion which Lady Macbeth has used to try and get Macbeth to carry out the deed. In Act 1, Scene 4 when Macbeth returns from battle to his residence for the first time, he tells Lady Macbeth that Duncan is coming to there home that very night to celebrate there victory in battle, and that he plans to leave the following morning. Lady Macbeth, holding within her a great ambition, tells Macbeth 'Never shall sun that 'mmorow see', which suggests to Macbeth plans of murder upon Duncan. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he must show himself to be true and loyal, but underneath be a traitor and a facade.
"Your hand, your tongue: Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under't"
Lady Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 5, Line 64
There is major evidence from both Shakespeare's original text and Polanski's video version which, in my personal opinion, overwhelmingly supports the view that Macbeth was a true villain rather than a hero. This evidence commonly occurs towards the middle and to the end of the play.
A major key turning point for the character of Macbeth occurs in Act 1, Scene 3, which is much earlier than I originally interpreted. Here, we see Macbeth having his first encounter with the highly infamous characters of the witches in the play. The period in which 'Macbeth' was written was one of superstition and fear, mainly due to the strong held beliefs of witches and witchcraft. Witches were believed to have incredible 'super natural' powers and abilities, such as being able to alter the weather, able to 'fly on brooms' and most significantly able to glance into and prophesise the future. In fact, witches were believed to be of such an importance at this period of time, the monarch of England, King James, ordered all to be executed who were practising witchcraft or suspected to be. In 'Macbeth', Macbeth and his loyal fellow General and best friend Banquo are approached on return from battle by three 'foul' women, who are witches. The witches prophesise to Macbeth that he would be awarded the title 'Thane of Cawdor' and eventually King of Scotland in a series of chants showed below.
"All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis"
"All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor"
"All hail Macbeth, that shall be king hereafter"
The Witches, Act 1, Scene 3
I feel that this is such a major turning point for Macbeth's character as this is the first time in which the thought of being King has entered his mind. The witches also prophisise to Banquo that himself will not be king, but his children will. This itself is evidence which shows Macbeth's growing villainous qualities, and the influence the witches have had upon him. Banquo seems to be totally unconvinced and amused by the witches predictions, whereas Macbeth is in a state of pensive thought and disbelief. Yet, he soon after does not show these immediate feelings to Banquo, as the pair amuse themselves whilst discussing the encounter, which shows Macbeth to be a facade.
When Macbeth is told of the news by a messenger known as Ross, he is again in a state of disbelief and shock, as is Banquo as he says to Macbeth 'can the devils be true?'. This is yet again a major turning point for Macbeth as he is becoming even more influenced by the witches and begins to think more in depth about what the witches are saying. In my personal opinion, the following quote shows possibly the beginning of Macbeth's true villainous qualities, as it shows that Macbeth is having thoughts of tranny and betraying his King and country.
"Present fears are less than horrid imaginings"
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 3, Line 133
Act 1, Scene 4 sees Macbeth being officially declared as the "Thane of Cawdor" for his courageous acts in battle. Here, we see a deep mutual respect shared between King Duncan and Macbeth, yet for Macbeth this 'respect' is some what of a facade as he has had pensive thoughts concerning betraying Duncan. This scene also see's Duncan declare his son, Malcolm, as the successor of his throne when he dies. At this point, Macbeth has become all believing of the witches prophesies, which leads to the news of Malcolm being named heir to the Scottish throne as a major blow for Macbeth. It leaves him feeling angry and frustrated, and in some ways cheated as he is expecting to be the next ruler of Scotland. The following quote portrays how Macbeth was feeling at this point immensely, and also shows Macbeth's ever increasing villainous qualities.
"The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down or else o'er - leap,for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires"
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4, Line 48
My feeling is that the next point in the play where Macbeth is portrayed as a true villain is Act 2, Scene 1 when Macbeth murders Duncan whilst he sleeps. The reason why I feel that Macbeth is not portrayed as a true villain in Act 1, Scene 7 when he says 'If we should fail-' is because even though he has hinted he will murder Duncan, he still holds doubts concerning the murder. Whereas with the scene in question, Macbeth's villainous qualities are much more intense and clear. Firstly, Macbeth speaks to Banquo whilst on his way to kill Duncan, much unknown by Banquo, concerning the encounter with the three witches. Banquo courageously admits to Macbeth that he dreamt of the witches the previous night, and that he has been thinking of them. Macbeth again uses a facade to hide the truth and tells Banquo that the witches have not entered his mind at all. This shows Macbeth's villainous qualities as he has obviously been thinking of the witches, yet it is my personal opinion that his main villainous qualities are shown in the following quote when he hears a bell rung by Lady Macbeth whilst making his way to Duncan's chamber.
"I go and it is done; the bell invites me. Here it not, Duncan; for it is a bell that summons thee to heaven or to hell"
Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 1, Line 62
After Macbeth murders Duncan in Act 2, Scene 2, I feel that Macbeth had met the 'point of no return' on his path to villainy. He is now portrayed in both Shakespeare's text and Polanski's video version as a true villain. Act 2, Scene 3 sees the discovery of Duncan's dead body, to which again Macbeth adopts a facade to cover his real villainous feelings. Here, as Macduff walks the Macbeths' castle screaming 'Horror, Horror!' and 'Murder and Treason!" as he does so, Macbeth temporarily regains his composure and adopts the role of 'Duncan's loyal cousin' as he demonstrates his anger, rage and upset by seizing the opportunity to kill King Duncan's valets before they have the opportunity to defend thereselves. This is due to the fact they are suspected by all of Duncan's murder thanks to Lady Macbeth smothering there faces and clothes with blood in Act 2, Scene 2, yet in fact they are nothing more than loyal protectors of the crown. This to the unknown eye would seem to be an act of anger due to his King's murder, whereas the known eye knows that this is yet another demonstration of Macbeth's villainous qualities.
Macbeth is also portrayed as a villain in both the text and video version in Act 3, Scene 1. Here, we see Macbeth, now as king, have a most friendly conversation with his 'best friend' Banquo. However, Macbeth does not know that Banquo had now began to suspect him of the murder of King Duncan, due to the witches prophisies. Still, even though Macbeth does not know of Banquo's suspicions, he has become over whelmingly jealous and weary of him, as the witches also prophsied that his children will also on the throne of Scotland as monarchs. This leads to Macbeth ordering two murderers to follow Banquo and his son ,Fleance, and to kill them. This order occurs almost instantly after Banquo has left following there warm, friendly conversation. At this point, Macbeth does not care what he has to do to have happiness, and to stay on the throne as King of Scotland with his own children to follow him, which obviously means the assasination of Banquo and his son Fleance. The following quote clearly demonstrates this. By saying this, he directly means that he has not killed all of the people who may still be standing in his path of tyranny.
"We have scorch'd the snake, not killed it"
Macbeth, Act 3, Scene 2, Line 13
Act 3, Scene 3 sees the return of the murderes to the play as they deliver the news on Banquo's and Fleance's assaination to Macbeth. Initally, the murderers tell Macbeth that Banquo has successfully been assainated, to which Macbeth refers to the murderers as being 'the best o' the cut throats'. This quote itself to me seems to be one of the most supportive quotes in the play that supports the view that Macbeth was a true villain. I think this due to the fact that Macbeth has been told his best friend, someone who Macbeth posibly has known for a lengthy amount of time, has been successfully assasinated, to which all he can reply to the murderers is a compliment. This greatly shows Macbeth's villanous qualities, and the fact that he basically no longer has any regard for anybody who stands in his way to happiness and success as the King of Scotland.
I personally feel that Macbeth was shown most immensly as a villain in Act 4, Scene 2. Here, we see yet again murderers being sent by Macbeth, yet this time there mission is to murder the family of Macduff, who is in England helping Duncan's son , Malcolm, to invade Macbeth and Scotland to try and gain the Scottish throne. I feel that Macbeth is at his most villanous at this point due to the fact he was basically in the same region as the murderers who carried out the murders of an innocent mother and her innocent children. He may have not commited the murder himself, but he did condem the murder which basically makes Macbeth just as corrupt as the murderers themseleves.
“The castle of Macduff I will surprise; seize upon fife, give to the edge of the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line”.
Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1, Line 150
By Act 5, there is a strong suspicion of Macbeth by most of his scottish people. In Act 5, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is now mad and riddled with guilt. We see Lady Macbeth sleep walkig, pacing her bedroom, stopping only trying to wash 'blood' off her hands, even though they are clean. In fact, Lady Macbeth is re-acting the night of the murder of King Duncan as she sleep walks. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth had been portrayed as being a strong, dominating and cold character, whereasat this point she seems to be weak and unable to relieve herself of the guilt of Duncan's murder. This scene also shows to us that Lady Macbeth herself is starting to believe that her husband is now a true villain and that his villany is spiraling out of control. The below quote refers to the 'mass murder' in which Macbeth is condeming, and how she feels that it has spiraled to an extreme level.
"No more o' that, my lord, no more o' that"
Lady Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1, Line 44
Act 5, Scene 8 sees Macbeth have been killed by Macduff who has returned to Scotland with Duncan's son, Malcolm, and a strong English army. It is my personal opinion that the end of play saw Macbeth basically get his comeuppance, as the person in which Macbeth had turned into, mainly due to his overwhelming ambiton and the dominance and persuasion of Lady Macbeth, was a character of evil and greediness. I personally that Macbeth did not actually take the route of villainy and strongly regretted it afterwards, yet he could not find the strength to be able stop himself. Saying this, I still agree with my original interpretation that Macbeth was a true villain rather than a hero. I think this as he betrayed his King and country when he murdered King Duncan in Act 2, Scene 1. He also condemed the murder of Macduff's innocent family in Act 4, Scene 2 and of his loyal general and best friend Banquo in Act 3, Scene 1.
