Taylor Wesley

Mrs. Wood

English 11A-1st Hour

Title

When one stumbles upon three witches who can tell the future, it is only human nature to listen to what they are saying. Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis and a respected battle hero, finds his life is about to change when he meets the three witches which prophesize him becoming the Thane of Cawdor, as well as the almighty king. Immediately, thoughts pop into his head and once he is officially announced the Thane of Cawdor, his only reaction is to believe that the witches are correct, causing him to go on a character changing journey to reach ultimate power. Although the character of Macbeth began as a loyal and brave hero, when given the gift of a told fate and ultimate supremacy, the decisions he makes to protect his power turn him into a corrupt, passionless, emotionally distraught man.

The play begins with the heroic Macbeth returning from battle, no idea about what is to come. He is well respected by everyone including the king, who his cousin. His courageous demeanor is known by many, “1:2, 16-18”. (Something about this quote). Macbeth also began this play as an aristocratic individual, he was loyal to his best friend and companion, Banquo as well as the king. “Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner.” (1:3,54), Even Macbeth's power hungry, controlling, feelingless (come up with a better, more dark/fitting word) wife, Lady Macbeth, does not believe he has the coldness at heart to complete the tasks that must be done to become king. "Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness, To catch the nearest way." (1: 5, 14-16). Lady Macbeth knows Macbeth has to kind of a heart and too much emotion to be able to murder the king to gain the power which she wants so dearly. (Conclusion to paragraph).

As the play goes on, Macbeth begins his descent into a dark personality. He begins having evil thoughts in act one. “Prince of Cumberland! One which I must fall down or else o’erleap.” (1:4,48-53). When Macbeth learns that he is not in direct descent of the crown, he realizes he must do something about it or accept never being king. “Let not light see my black and deep desires.” (1:4, 51 ). By saying this, he is hinting that he has begun thinking about killing first, the sons of the king, and next the king himself.  "I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know." (1:7, 79-82). After being humiliated by Lady Macbeth, and being told he is an absolute coward for not having the guts to kill King Duncan, Macbeth finally makes up his mind that he is going to perform the deed. After committing acts of murder, Macbeth’s original character really fades away and insane thoughts become to envelope in his mind. “All full of scorpions is my mind” (3:2,36). (Talk about this quote more). By the time Macbeth kills Banquo, after learning that his kids will one day be kings, he has more definitely fallen into the world of evil. “Black Macbeth with seem as pure as snow” (4:3,52-53). Macbeth has turned into the color of black from his original color of white innocence. (Concluding statements)

By the end of the play, Macbeth has reached a point beyond being evil. He has turned into an emotionless man who does not even have any emotion to live. Once he realizes that he is not immortal and that all the wrong deeds he has done has just lead to his demise, Macbeth loses all sense of feelings and remorse. “She should have died hereafter.” (5:5, 19-20). This was his comment after he learned about the death of his wife, he has no emotion of love anymore. “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” (5:5,9). Macbeth no longer cares about life, he has basically gone numb. He has no reason to live, and no reason to protect himself and his power now that he knows that the end is possible. “Why should I play the Roman fool, and die on mine own sword?” (5:8, 1-2 ). With this statement, it can be interpreted that Macbeth was thinking of a well known Roman, such as Brutus, who killed himself once he realized his plans had failed. At this point, Macbeth is even thinking about committing suicide. ( Conclude, talk about how he dies)

Ultimate control and power can turn even a noble man into a crazed traitor. After all of Macbeth’s challenges that he had to face to protect his power, he dies at the sword of Macduff, a man who was removed from his mother’s womb in the form of a miscarriage. With Macbeth dead, order is restored in the kingdom. But, what is most important is Macbeth’s character change and development throughout the play. Macbeth’s fall into darkness shapes the events which occur in the play and brings out change in other characters.