How Macbeth's character changed throughout the play.
The Character ‘Macbeth’ changed throughout the play ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare. Through his actions and attitude towards people he showed changes in himself from being a noble hero to a guilty murderer. He changed as his relationship with his best friend Banquo altered and lastly throughout the play, his character changed as the mutual relationship between him and his wife Lady Macbeth perished after time.
Firstly, Macbeth’s character changed from being a noble hero for the righteous to being a king with extreme guilt of murdering people close to him for selfish reasons. Macbeth once had a great personality with an impression of a true warrior among others. Though, later he was informed that he is the future king in throne of Scotland. This prophesy from the three witches made him discover his deeply hidden desire. His ambition was to be king of Scotland. So he killed King Duncan and later on he sent to murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance as he was the next heir to the throne. His guilt were like stains of blood. It was long-lasting. The quote “As his host I should against his murder shut the door, not bear the knife myself.” Referred to how Macbeth was against the idea of murdering the king and for protecting him. The quote “For brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name” by the king showed how Macbeth was valued as a hero for the country. The second quote from later in the play “My mind is full of scorpions” showed how he was grieving and felt guilty for Banquo’s and the king’s murder.
Secondly, Macbeth’s character changed as his friendship with his best friend Banquo altered. Apart from the fact that Banquo was Macbeth’s co-commander in Duncan’s army, he was Macbeth’s best friend. He was like a shadow of Macbeth. In the first act they are found on their way to Duncan’s castle. This is when they come across the witches and hear Macbeths prophesy. The prophesy was what changed their relationship. This was because Macbeth cared about what the witches had told him while Banquo had resisted them. After Macbeth killed Duncan to be in the throne, Banquo suspected him of foul play. As a result Macbeth became afraid because of this and also because of the fact that Banquo and Fleance be crowned next. Banquo was murdered by Macbeth’s two workers and Fleance had escaped. The quote “My noble partner, you greet with present grace and great prediction” refers to the time after the war had ended and Banquo had complimented Macbeth’s character. Also the quote “Who’s there?” “A friend.” quoted by Banquo and Macbeth justified clearly that they were friends. Later on in the play, the quote “Both of you know Banquo was your enemy , so he is mine” showed how Macbeth didn’t like Banquo anymore. So this showed how his character changed through their relationship.
Lastly, the change in his relationship with his wife Lady Macbeth made his character change throughout the play. Macbeth was dependent on Lady Macbeth. They both mutually relied on each other in the way Lady Macbeth relied on him as a husband and Macbeth relied on her for guidance for whatever he did. Lady Macbeth played a vital part in King Duncan’s murder along with Macbeth. If Lady Macbeth didn’t push Macbeth and questioned his manly hood. Of course Macbeth could not turn his head away from this. Though, this relationship slowly weakened and Macbeth became independent. Lady Macbeth on the other hand suffered from mental illness caused by the murders and all. The quote “When you durst do it, then you’re a man.” Showed how Lady Macbeth had questioned the man inside Macbeth. This also showed that she cared for him. The next quote late form the play “She should have died here after.” By Macbeth when Lady Macbeth had passed away showed that Macbeth did not care about her existence. Macbeth had become self-centred and put his ambition before others. This is how Macbeth changed through his relationship with Lady Macbeth.
In conclusion Macbeth’s character did have a change throughout the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare in three ways. Firstly, how he became a worried murderer from a noble hero. Secondly, how his friendship changed with Banquo and how his relationship with Lady Macbeth perished. We can relate many things from the play to life of today for example when some people suspect their friends of bad things, we can relate this to Banquo and Macbeth.
Firstly, Macbeth’s character changed from being a noble hero for the righteous to being a king with extreme guilt of murdering people close to him for selfish reasons. Macbeth once had a great personality with an impression of a true warrior among others. Though, later he was informed that he is the future king in throne of Scotland. This prophesy from the three witches made him discover his deeply hidden desire. His ambition was to be king of Scotland. So he killed King Duncan and later on he sent to murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance as he was the next heir to the throne. His guilt were like stains of blood. It was long-lasting. The quote “As his host I should against his murder shut the door, not bear the knife myself.” Referred to how Macbeth was against the idea of murdering the king and for protecting him. The quote “For brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name” by the king showed how Macbeth was valued as a hero for the country. The second quote from later in the play “My mind is full of scorpions” showed how he was grieving and felt guilty for Banquo’s and the king’s murder.
Secondly, Macbeth’s character changed as his friendship with his best friend Banquo altered. Apart from the fact that Banquo was Macbeth’s co-commander in Duncan’s army, he was Macbeth’s best friend. He was like a shadow of Macbeth. In the first act they are found on their way to Duncan’s castle. This is when they come across the witches and hear Macbeths prophesy. The prophesy was what changed their relationship. This was because Macbeth cared about what the witches had told him while Banquo had resisted them. After Macbeth killed Duncan to be in the throne, Banquo suspected him of foul play. As a result Macbeth became afraid because of this and also because of the fact that Banquo and Fleance be crowned next. Banquo was murdered by Macbeth’s two workers and Fleance had escaped. The quote “My noble partner, you greet with present grace and great prediction” refers to the time after the war had ended and Banquo had complimented Macbeth’s character. Also the quote “Who’s there?” “A friend.” quoted by Banquo and Macbeth justified clearly that they were friends. Later on in the play, the quote “Both of you know Banquo was your enemy , so he is mine” showed how Macbeth didn’t like Banquo anymore. So this showed how his character changed through their relationship.
Lastly, the change in his relationship with his wife Lady Macbeth made his character change throughout the play. Macbeth was dependent on Lady Macbeth. They both mutually relied on each other in the way Lady Macbeth relied on him as a husband and Macbeth relied on her for guidance for whatever he did. Lady Macbeth played a vital part in King Duncan’s murder along with Macbeth. If Lady Macbeth didn’t push Macbeth and questioned his manly hood. Of course Macbeth could not turn his head away from this. Though, this relationship slowly weakened and Macbeth became independent. Lady Macbeth on the other hand suffered from mental illness caused by the murders and all. The quote “When you durst do it, then you’re a man.” Showed how Lady Macbeth had questioned the man inside Macbeth. This also showed that she cared for him. The next quote late form the play “She should have died here after.” By Macbeth when Lady Macbeth had passed away showed that Macbeth did not care about her existence. Macbeth had become self-centred and put his ambition before others. This is how Macbeth changed through his relationship with Lady Macbeth.
In conclusion Macbeth’s character did have a change throughout the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare in three ways. Firstly, how he became a worried murderer from a noble hero. Secondly, how his friendship changed with Banquo and how his relationship with Lady Macbeth perished. We can relate many things from the play to life of today for example when some people suspect their friends of bad things, we can relate this to Banquo and Macbeth.