Negative Effects Of Macbeth

By the middle of Act II, Macbeth has gone through with the decision to kill King Duncan. Macbeth has already experienced several consequences of this choice by the end of Act III. Deep down, it is not clear whether Macbeth regrets the act; however, he is beginning to see more negative effects than positive. As king, Macbeth is plagued by paranoia. He sees everyone around him as a potential threat, particularly Banquo, who was once his closest friend: “To be thus is nothing/But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature/Reigns that which would be feared” (Macbeth Act III Sc 1 li. 50-54). Macbeth is unable to rest, so certain is he that Banquo poses a threat to his position; furthermore, despite having ‘what