[Calliope]: 216.Essays.Macbeth Critical Essay

Macbeth Critical Essay

  At the very beginning of the play, Macbeth is just finishing a battle against traitorous Macdonwald and the King of Norway. Macbeth and Banquo have become well known for their fighting styles and their fierce loyalty to the Scottish King, Duncan. The contributions to the battle made by Macbeth are so renowned that Duncan gives Macbeth the title Thane of Cawdor. The previous Thane has joined the rebels and is awaiting execution for his actions. At this point, Macbeth is still very fair as he is still the gallant and brave general. The proclamation of becoming Thane coincides with the prophecies uttered to Macbeth and Banquo by the three witches, however. Right away, the completion of part of the prophecies roots dark thoughts in Macbeth’s mind. Here is when he begins to become foul.
  Originally two events set off the foulness. In act 1, scene 3 the witches proclaim the following:
“First Witch: All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!
Second Witch: All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, than of Cawdor!
Third Witch: All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.”
(1.3.50 – 53)
This prophesizing pairs with events in act 1, scene 3 in which Ross states “He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor” (1.3.110) Immediately afterwards Macbeth begins thinking of Duncan’s demise. All it would take is Duncan’s death to make Macbeth king! Still, Macbeth’s conscience causes him to hesitate and in act 1, scene 4 he expresses guilt and the wish to hide his thoughts.
  Even though the witches and the inheritance of Cawdor plant the roots of foulness, Macbeth has no real motivation until he returns to Inverness and Lady Macbeth. Here, at her urging and planning, murder is committed. It is conveniently covered up by setting up Duncan’s servants and then executing them before a trial can be arranged. However, Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain believe that Macbeth is in fact, their father’s murderer. This contributes to Macbeth’s unease, even though he is now the true king. To help himself feel as if he is truly powerful Macbeth orders the murder of Banquo and Fleance. This way, there are no descendants of Banquo’s to challenge Macbeth for the crown. This act is probably fouler than the murder of the king Macbeth had been loyal to his whole life. Here he murders not only someone who has held the same beliefs as himself, but he murders a friend and protector who helped gain victory in battle. This is comparable to the point of no return to Macbeth.
  It becomes quickly apparent that Macbeth is unfit to rule. The kingdom is a step away from anarchy and the lawlessness results in the death of Macduff’s entire family. This fuels hatred for the king in England where Macduff is waiting for better times with Malcolm and Donalbain. Together they plan a revolt to end Macbeth’s reign.
  In the end, nobody can be blamed for Macbeth’s fall from grace except for Macbeth. There were outside influences such as the witches and Lady Macbeth but Macbeth always has the option of disregarding them. To blame the influences would be shirking responsibility yet again. Instead of letting fate take its course, Macbeth decides to murder Duncan. Instead of admitting to murdering his king, Macbeth fell to murdering others to cover up his wrong doings and to further secure his titles. So many options are open to him that don’t involve influences from the witches or Lady Macbeth, just Macbeth’s conscience, yet he refuses to heed it. By doing this, he completely relinquishes any fair side he may have and fully embraces foulness. At the end of the play, Macbeth is not that man he is at the beginning. He has allowed himself to change so much that he is unrecognizable and that is the true answer. Only Macbeth himself can prevent such degradation and he doesn’t, therefore Macbeth is the reason he became so foul.

© Angie O'Connor