Macbeth

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, there are a few factors that contribute into the change of Macbeth's character. The main force that was mainly responsible for his downfall was his biggest flaw, his own ambition. Macbeth became extremely ambitious to become king of Scotland that eventually he did anything to fulfil his goals. Aside from his ambition Lady Macbeth, Banquo, and the three witches also contributes to Macbeth's change in character because they influenced Macbeth to become King even though they knew it wasn't possible while King Duncan was in office.

In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier who is loyal to his king. He fights for his king without mercy. But eventually his strive for ambition is what leads him to an evil murderer. Even though his ambition brought him to this height of power, it was also what led him to his downfall. Macbeth becomes so obsess to become king that he turns himself to a completely different man, becoming full of greed, violent, and murder. Throughout the play we see Macbeth's character change not just from his way of thinking but from his actions as well. Since Macbeth only interacts with Duncan a minimal about of time before Duncan's death, Macbeth's attitude towards Duncan rapidly changes in the play. Before the three witches first prophesy about Macbeth becoming king, Macbeth was a good friend to Duncan. When the thoughts of murdering Duncan first appeared in Macbeth's mind, he becomes surprise of the thoughts and of himself for thinking of them. However throughout the chorus of the play his vaulting ambitions begin to get the best of him because to Macbeth killing Duncan seems like the only solution for him to gain complete power of Scotland and to become king. On the night of Duncan's murder Macbeth agrees with Lady Macbeth that they must kill Duncan. But as the time as the murder nears, Macbeth begins to give himself reasons not to commit the murder.

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. (1.7.13-16)

This shows the beginning stages of Macbeth's change in character. Here his character begins to act in evil ways but at the same time he is still embracing his good side by thinking of reasons not to slay Duncan. When Macbeth finally decides to follow through with the murder he becomes horrified by this actions that he momentary forgets where he is or who he is with. Even though Macbeth did actually have faith in his king, his vaulting ambition put Macbeth in an evil state of mind to kill King Duncan. After this murder, Macbeth moral state of mind permanently alters and soon afterwards begins to feel less remorseful for his evil actions.

Banquo also has a huge influence towards Macbeth change in character. Before Macbeth's slaying of Duncan, he was also very close with Banquo. After Duncan's murder however, Macbeth began feeling paranoid towards Banquo's and started sensing suspicion towards him as well. Macbeth realizes that Banquo's intelligence may eventually realize about he's evil doing. Macbeth then comes to the conclusion that he must get rid of Duncan somehow because according to the witches prophecy the throne will be past to one of Duncan's sons if we would to remain in power. After this realization Macbeth love for Duncan quickly turns into hatred. His hatred becomes so strong that Macbeth tries to convince two murders that killing Banquo is the best thing to do. After Macbeth convinces the two murders to slay Banquo, the two murderers go and commit the slaying find Macbeth to tell Macbeth that their task was achieved. Macbeth becomes extremely happy about the news. He tells the two murders "Tis better thee without than he within". (3.4.14). Here Macbeth means that Banquo's blood is better on the murderer than in Banquo. With the slaying of Banquo, Macbeth shows extreme selfishness. His main motivation for the slaying of Banquo was not only because he couldn't face seeing Banquo's children in the throne but also because of Banquo's suspicion towards Macbeth murder towards Duncan. One can see that