Preview

Literary Analysis of William Shakespeare's Play, Macbeth

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
658 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Literary Analysis of William Shakespeare's Play, Macbeth
William Shakespeare's Macbeth is a tragic play. Gradually throughout the play's sequence, Macbeth's actions become increasingly more wicked and evil. The real focus is how and why Macbeth changed so drastically. The three witches predictions or prophesies had a traumatic effect on him that slowly began his steep downfall. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth was the trust-worthy Thane of Glamis. He was respected from high ranking people for his military achievements. "For brave Macbeth - Well deserves that name!" (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 16) What is so puzzling is how he could have flipped from this loyal man to the wicked king in the end. It all began with the prophesies from the three weird sisters. "All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail to Macbeth! Thou shalt be king hereafter!" (Act I Scene 3 Line 49-51)
Macbeth was completely shocked at this. Macbeth was confused at how he could be Thane of Cawdor when there was already one. He didn't believe them at first. It only took one truth in all of these falsehoods. Little did Macbeth know that he was already Thane of Cawdor even before the witches predictions. "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth." (Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 63-65)
Soon after that the king's servant Ross and Lennox brought the news to Macbeth and Banquo just after the predictions from the weird sisters. He even was wary of what the messengers had to say to him. "The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed robes?" (Act I Scene 3 Line 109)
Finally after messengers had convinced Macbeth they were not telling him falsehoods, he took faith in what they had told him. This brought him to realize that the three witches told the truth. He believed what these strange women told him, taking it as truth instead of shrugging off his shoulders like Banquo did. Because of

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Later in the play when Macbeth is greeted by Angus to receive the news that he is to become the thane of Cawdor, this is when Macbeth is convinced that the witch’s prophecy is true by stating to Banquo:…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout the play, the witches fill Macbeth’s head with half-truths, giving him false hope. At the start of the play Macbeth and Banquo stumble upon the witches and are given three prophecies: “All hail Macbeth, hail thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth, hail thee Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king” (A1S3L46) before leaving the witches also mentioned to Banquo “Though shalt get kings, though thou be none.”(A1S3L65) The three prophecies that Macbeth received were confusing to him: he is already Thane of Glamis but is unaware of King Duncan’s plans to name him as Thane of Cawdor. Once that prophecy comes true he becomes convinced that the third one will too. However he is not certain if the third prophecy will be proven to be true whether he goes through with Duncan’s murder or not. Once Macbeth murders Duncan and is crowned king he believes in what the witches say and still has worries of their last prophecy about Banquo. Without a second thought he sends out murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance to secure his position as king. After this Macbeth becomes dependent on the witches and must know what the witches have to say about his future. Macbeth plans to see the witches so he will know what to do further on. Macbeth goes to see the…

    • 1201 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    They tell him he cannot be killed by a man of woman born, and also that his rule will come to an end when the forest moves. Macbeth doesn't think any of these things are possible. Now macbeth is relaxing and not worried about anything. So when he is told that the forest is moving towards their castle he isn't prepared. The forest moving was actually a group that used leaves as camouflage. Then in this battle he fights with Macduff. Macduff was a baby that was of doctor born and that means his mother had a C section. Macbeth is kill by macduff and this shows that the prophecy of the witches was true in its entirety.…

    • 608 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Renowned play, “Macbeth” written by William Shakespeare in 1606, is one of the most prestigious dramas to date. Valiant and truthful soldier, Macbeth experiences dire changes of evil, in order to gain his thriftless ambition for king. His immoral change might have been influenced by Lady Macbeth and the witches’ prophecies suggesting Macbeth is a tragic hero who had no intent of abhorrent deeds. Once honourable Macbeth pledges glory to his king and gained honour through valiant accomplishments. Fear strikes him as his mind starts to deteriorate into utter chaos by his treacherous actions. His self-conscious mind transforms him into a superstitious villain who suffers in despair as he implicates regret.…

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Soon after the witches hail him as "Thane of Glamis," "Thane of Cawdor," "and king hereafter!" (1.3.50), Macbeth receives the news that he has been named Thane of Cawdor. This news throws him into a reverie, in which he says to himself,…

    • 3277 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Despite the fact that both Banquo and Macbeth had heard the witches' eerie prophecies in Act 1 Scene 3, Banquo stayed serene, not believing in the prophecies, and let things flow naturally in life. “...oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s / In deepest consequence.” (Act 1 Scene 3). This quote portrays how Banquo is aware of the decivious ways of the witches’ and their prophecies, and that he would not be easily fooled by them. On the other hand, Macbeth, overly fixated on the prophecies, is easily fooled by the prophecies, and takes action right away, causing everything to slowly break down, and eventually fall apart at the end, resulting in the downfall of Macbeth. They both started at the same point, but began to go in opposite directions. Banquo followed the better path, as Macbeth wandered into the dark side. Banquo’s calmness, in comparison, makes Macbeth seem even more urging and ambitious as well, wanting to become king right away by any means necessary; even if it meant murdering some of his dearest…

    • 1625 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Maestro Essay

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Macbeth is “rapt withal” while the prediction to become King after hearing the news that he is now the Thane of Cawdor. Banquo on the other hand thinks that these are mere lies told by the “instruments of darkness” gaining confidence with honest trifles, only to betray us”.…

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    how macbeth changes

    • 1226 Words
    • 4 Pages

    However, in act 1 scene 3, the prophecies of the “weird sisters” have a powerful effect on Macbeth, for Banquo asks him “why do you start and seem to fear”? This shows that he is having evil thoughts already, at the prospect of gaining more power.…

    • 1226 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Vs Banquo

    • 916 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Both Macbeth and Banquo have unique reactions illustrated in their conversation to the news from Ross and Angus. Macbeth, while originally cautious yet interested, begins to believe what the witches foretold after part of their prophecy is fulfilled when the news is brought that Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor. Once this occurs, Macbeth gives great value to what the witches said and hopes that greater things await him in the future. Contemplating these great possibilities, he asks Banquo, “Do you not hope your children shall be kings, when those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me promised no less to them?” He asks this considering that Banquo too, was promised much by the witches. However, contrasting the faith Macbeth begins to put in…

    • 916 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Play Analysis

    • 965 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Review: Macbeth a visually striking period piece for the modern viewer We all wrote an essay about it in high school; Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is so widely read that it’s surprising Justin Kurzel’s newest film is the first notable cinematic adaptation since Roman Polanski’s in 1971. Kurzel’s take on the Scottish play is a spectacle of haunting violence; he takes advantage of the cinematic medium and crafts a stunning aesthetic. As an adaptation, the film offers an imaginative reading of the familiar narrative of the eponymous Scottish general (Michael Fassbender, sure to draw a crowd at the box office) and his infamously manipulative wife (Marion Cotillard, art-house ace). However, in its attempts to be visually striking, much will seem to have…

    • 965 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many factors that can drive a person to commit a heinous crime, jealousy and fear being the two biggest factors that apply. Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth depicts a murderous villain whose body count is on the rise due to Macbeth’s dissatisfaction with his place in life. Banquo’s murder reeks of jealousy and of Macbeth’s quest to secure the crown for himself. The witches instill doubts into Macbeth’s mind luring him into killing his best friend just because he felt threatened by his best friend’s kingly qualities. With the killing of Banquo, Macbeth loses all his conscience and becomes an assassin that turns killing into a game. Macbeth’s killing spree can only stop once he has been vanquished. Macbeth will never be able to…

    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth's Ambition Essay

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth after experiencing the witch’s prophecies has begun to change and advance through to see the prophecies. Macbeth is told prophecies from the witches explaining how Macbeth will be “...Thane of Glamis.., ..Thane of Cawdor... And all hail Macbeth that shalt be king thereafter.” Macbeth sceptical at first brushes it off as some crap, but as soon as Thane of Cawdor is bestowed upon him his trust lies with the witches and…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    King James VI, king of Scotland, ascended to the throne of England after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. This act united Scotland and England under one rule. While King James was alive, He was interested in the world of witchcraft and wrote a book about the subject called Daemonologie. In Macbeth Shakespeare uses Macbeth and his misunderstanding of the fates as a representation of King James and his misconception of witches and their true nature.…

    • 676 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    When Macbeth first encounters the Witches, they inform him of his prophecy to become the Thane of Cawdor, and soon to be King of Scotland. He is also with Banquo, and he is informed that his kids will be kings, but not him. The Witches say to Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (I.iii.51-53). At first, he becomes shocked and surprised by this, but he soon realizes after being crowned Thane of Cawdor, that this prophecy will most likely come true. As soon as Macbeth learns of his prophecy, he…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the beginning of the play, the witches play an important part in what was to be the main factor of the whole play, that main factor was MacBeth's downfall. In the start where Macbeth and Banquo confronted the witches, the 3 witches addressed Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor, The Thane of Glamis and King hereafter. From that moment one the decision Macbeth faced would change and alter his life forever. Instead of choosing to dismiss the predictions as some gibberish Macbeth was quite taken in by it. And he even went as to command the witches to tell him more.…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics