Macbeth college essay
Macbeth is a tragic story by William Shakespeare. Macbeth has been first performed in 1606. It dramatizes the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. It has been adapted to film, television, novel, opera, and other media. Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a famous story that much English literature student had analyzed for their college and university coursework.
Macbeth is a brave and loyal soldier to the king. He dedicated his life to served the king. When he won a battle over rebellion to King Duncan, he was praised by everyone around him. As Macbeth and Banquo wanderer the heath they met with the witches. They enter and greet them with prophecy. The witches tell Macbeth that he shall be the Thane of Glamis, Than of Cawdor and he shall be the King. Macbeth stunned in silence as he heard the prophecy. When Banquo asks for his fortune the witches told that he will be the father of a line king that he will not be a king but his son will be one. After hearing witches’ prophecy Macbeth started to doubt his loyalty and his ambition rise up. Macbeth sent a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the witch’s prophecy. Lady Macbeth became excited and even pray to God to help her fulfilled the wish even in an evil way. Latter Macbeth and his wife plan to kill the king to fulfill their ambition. He murder king Duncan when the king spent the night at Macbeth castle. As king’s only heir run away make him become a suspect. And Macbeth assumes the throne as the new king.
When he becomes a king he has the consequence to keep the throne as he remembers other witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s son will inherit the throne. Fearing about this prophecy Macbeth decides to kill Banquo and his son. So he sent two soldiers to kill them. They kill Banquo but his son manages to run. The fact that Banquo’s son still alive made him paranoid. Then he commits another sin by attacking Macduff castle and kill Macduff’s wife, children, and even all their servants. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth started to feel the guilt from their crime, she decides to kill herself. With the English army surround his castle Macbeth returned to the arena, he goes down fighting. It begins with Macbeth winning on the battlefield and end with him dying miserably. William Shakespeare portrays some issues throughout Macbeth’s story, as we can see.
Power, as Macbeth’s ambition rise up after hearing witches’ prophecy, he kills King Duncan. It was the most powerful expression in the show. Even after he becomes the king, to secure his throne he abuses his power to kill Banquo and attacking Macduff’s castle, kill Macduff’s wife and young child. This shows how powerful Macbeth was. Even people call him a tyrant because of all the murder he did. He tried to dispel suspicion about his position, he kill anyone whoever opposed him or he sees as a threat to his throne. Even after killing so many people he still not satisfied, and actually increasing his fear makes him paranoid and start to hallucinate.
Role of woman, lady Macbeth manipulating her husband by questioning his manhood. She even plan every possible way to pursue her goals. From killing King Duncan, and framed king’s guard. She even prayed and wishes that she could be “unsexed”. she influences her husband to do the evil deed. Lady Macbeth provides the brain and the will behind her husband’s act. Lady Macbeth’s behavior certainly show that women can be ambitious and cruel as a man. The witch’s prophecy that risen up Macbeth’s ambition and encourages his violent behavior and starts all this tragedy, shows how women can be scary at some point.
Ambition, although he is encouraged by the witch’s prophecy, Macbeth’s downfall is his own ambition. Lady Macbeth is as ambitious as his husband. Their ambition made them kill the king. Even after becoming the king, Macbeth’s ambition to keep the throne makes him paranoid and even commit another sin. He becomes obsessed with power to maintain his position, by killing more people rather than enjoying his throne. On the other hand, Banquo who also hear witches’ prophecy had similar ambitions for his son. But unlike Macbeth, Banquo,s morality prevents him to pursue his ambition. Macbeth’s ambition has cost him so many losses. The throne that he can’t enjoy till his wife that decides to kill herself.
Guilt, Macbeth’s guilt after killing king Duncan and his friend Banquo cause him to have hallucination and feel paranoid. Although they commit a terrible crimes, at some point they know that what they did is wrong. Their guilt prevents them from enjoying what they already achieve. Lady Macbeth even decides to take her life because of the guilt that torments her. While Macbeth keeps on murdering to cover up his crime.
