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Macbeth Essay Consider the following as possibilities and as realities. One
man, born high in society of his day, commits murder in order to raise this
status and his power even further that he had previously existed. Another, born
into the most exalted level of influence and wealth in that same society, and
believes that he can tell an individual's true character simply by what he sees
in the face. A third person, friend and colleague of the first one also wants
greater power, wealth, and glory, not for himself but for his descendants. All
the men are part of the of each other's society, in all that the latter term
suggest.
The wife of the first man is as power-hungry as he is. They have no
children. The second man who has two sons, and the third that is blessed with
one. These four people blend in a variety of beliefs in fate, God, and the
supernatural, beliefs that each of the three men of influence holds dear.
Macbeth is presented as a mature man of definitely established character,
successful in certain fields of activity and enjoying an enviable reputation.
Macbeth possessed everything required to be a good king but instead made a few
poor decisions, which caused him to be seen as an evil king.
Despite Macbeth's
evil he was still an admirable character and possessed redeeming qualities such
as his extreme loyalty towards King Duncan. He shows his loyalty by being
captain of Duncan's army. Throughout the play we see Macbeth's conscience eat
him alive through different forms of hallucinations. During the soliloquy in Act
II scene I lines 32-34 Macbeth sees a dagger that he will use to kill Duncan
with. The dagger is covered with blood. This shows how his conscience is causing
him to think about what he going to do.
Another hallucination surfaces after
Macbeth has his friend Banquo killed. After Banquo is killed Macbeth goes to sit
down at the table where his guests have gathered for the feast. The table is
full because he Banquo's ghost is sitting in the last seat. The fact that
Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost is another example of how his conscience is pricking
at him. He is bringing regret what he has done and realizing the consequences
for it.
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