"We are first introduced to the character of Macbeth, through the opinions of others. He is:"
"* ...brave Macbeth... -Captain, I,ii"
"* ...Bellona's bridegroom... -Ross, I,ii"
"* ...valiant cousin... )"
"* ...noble Macbeth... )-Duncan, I,ii & iv"
"* ...peerless kinsman... )"
" "
"This noble general deteriorates in the course of the play, until Malcolm dismisses him in the last scene as:"
"* ...this dead butcher..."
" "
"Let us see how this deterioration takes place."
7
"The only fault that mars Macbeth's character at first is his burning ambition. Coupled with the treacherous words of the witches, it immediately drives him to thoughts of murder."
"*See I,iii,51-52 & 129-142"
" "
"This instant reaction of guilt forces us to think that Macbeth already harboured evil ambitions, perhaps subconsciously."
" "
"His aside in I,iv shows that he recognises the evil in his thoughts; and that he knows what drives him to these thoughts is revealed in his later words"
"* ...only / Vaulting ambition... I,vii"
5
"Even so, Macbeth may have resisted the evil side of his nature if not for one other weakness - the bold, fearless soldier seems curiously weak-willed and wavering when faced with the taunts and scoldings of his wife."
"His arguments, which were so strong when he was alone, are swept aside by Lady Macbeth's scorn."
"*See Act I,scene vii"
" "
"In Act II, we see Macbeth as weak and wavering, leaning on his wife for support. At this point he is definitely the weaker of the two. He fumbles even in the simplest details of their plan."
8
"Notice,the other striking feature of Macbeth's personality, a powerful imagination that strikes dread into him by conjuring up guilty images to his mind."
"Even in Act I, scene iii, he mentions its force. Now, as the murder draws near, he sees the phantom dagger stained with"
"* ...gouts of blood..."
" "
"It comes as no surprise that he 'thinks' he hears a voice call out, or in the following Act, that Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost."
"These are further examples of his over-active imagination playing on his own sense of guilt."
" "
"Now Macbeth's character takes a turn for the worse."
7
"Having killed once, Macbeth finds it easier to strike again. This time against his friend, Banquo. Notice that now he doesn't even consult his wife."
" "
"We see one more example in the Banquet scene of Macbeth, fearful of his own mind and out of control, but the end of this scene marks an important turning point for him."
" "
"* I am in blood / Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er."
" "
"Macbeth makes the conscious decision to go on with his evil deeds. For him, having come so far, there can be no turning back."
9
"By Act IV, Macbeth has surrendered completely to his evil side. When he visits the witches, he orders them as if he is now one of them."
"*(See IV,i)"
" "
"He vows to be even more brutal, and then callously orders the murder of Macduff's family."
"*(IV,i,142-155)"
" "
"Comments from other characters tell us that this is not an isolated incident, and we know that Macbeth has become a murdering tyrant, fit to be described as:"
"In Act V, we see a little of the 'brave Macbeth' of Act I. However, he now realises how much he has lost and how little he has gained by his deeds."
"The famous speech in V,v shows him to be weary of the world, and resigned to his fate."
"*(See Missing Words Game)"
" "
"Perhaps we can admire him a little when he finally discovers the treachery of the witches' predictions, but vows to fight on anyway, knowing that all is lost."
" "
"* Yet I will try the last. Before my body"
"*I throw the warlike shield: lay on, Macduff,"
"*And damned be him that first cries 'Hold, enough!'"
7
"Exam questions on the character of Macbeth often concentrate on the downward progress of his character as covered in these notes."
" "
"Other areas to study might be comparisons between Macbeth and Banquo; or between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth."
"The latter makes an interesting topic, because we can observe him growing stronger as she gradually breaks down."
" "
"Relevant quotes for the character of Macbeth are numerous. As well as the ones mentioned in these notes, you will find many more in the game"
