MACBETH - VILLAIN OR HERO ESSAY
Macbeth was a powerful man. He was the Thane of Glamis and a relative
to the King of Scotland. But, misled by witches and urged by his wife, he
commits regicide and falls into a downward spiral of murder and tyranny.
Was he an evil murderer with an unstoppable thirst for power or a victim
of fate and bad influence?
Macbeth was undoubtedly no villain at the beginning of the play. Macbeth
is introduced to us as a man of great honour, nobility and strength of
morals. He is held in very high regard by the King. Macbeth was always
content with the title he had bequeathed. He would never have thought
about killing his cousin for his gain. However, it all changes when he runs
into the witches. They predicted that Macbeth would become the Thane of
Cawdor and King. The last prediction was that his friend, Banquo, would
have descendants that would be King. When Macbeth does find out the
first prediction is correct, the witches have control over him.
Unfortunately, he is foolish enough to believe he is meant to be King.
"If chance will have me, king, why, chance may crown me."
Macbeth, Act I, scene iii
But the witches never said anything about killing Duncan.
He tells his wife, who believed that he should kill Duncan and be the King
of Scotland. He doesn't think it is the right thing to do but is persuaded by
Lady Macbeth, who challenges his character and manhood.
"Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it."
Lady Macbeth, Act I, scene v
Macbeth was a powerful man. He was the Thane of Glamis and a relative
to the King of Scotland. But, misled by witches and urged by his wife, he
commits regicide and falls into a downward spiral of murder and tyranny.
Was he an evil murderer with an unstoppable thirst for power or a victim
of fate and bad influence?
Macbeth was undoubtedly no villain at the beginning of the play. Macbeth
is introduced to us as a man of great honour, nobility and strength of
morals. He is held in very high regard by the King. Macbeth was always
content with the title he had bequeathed. He would never have thought
about killing his cousin for his gain. However, it all changes when he runs
into the witches. They predicted that Macbeth would become the Thane of
Cawdor and King. The last prediction was that his friend, Banquo, would
have descendants that would be King. When Macbeth does find out the
first prediction is correct, the witches have control over him.
Unfortunately, he is foolish enough to believe he is meant to be King.
"If chance will have me, king, why, chance may crown me."
Macbeth, Act I, scene iii
But the witches never said anything about killing Duncan.
He tells his wife, who believed that he should kill Duncan and be the King
of Scotland. He doesn't think it is the right thing to do but is persuaded by
Lady Macbeth, who challenges his character and manhood.
"Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it."
Lady Macbeth, Act I, scene v
