From A To Z-Oe

Jessica Feane

Mrs. Greenberg

English 302

November 4

Character Analysis of Macbeth

“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” are the very first words out of Macbeth’s mouth meaning, so bad yet so good a day he has never seen. These words are significant in the play because, the “three weird sister” say this as well, and it wasn’t for long until Macbeth encountered them. Soon after meeting them he has an awakening and becomes rapt up in the horrid image of killing king Duncan. Macbeth is basically a “good” man who is affected by negative outside forces. Macbeth is gentle but sneaky, kind but timid, and sensitive but cold hearted.

Although Macbeth kills King Duncan he is not all cold and ambitious, he has a heart as shown in his dearest partner lady Macbeth. He has religion and morality and it is demonstrated in his soliloquy IV 12-12 where he lists three reasons why he shouldn’t kill King Duncan. Soon after he becomes overwhelmed and is starting to feel guilty before murdering the king, “if I kill Duncan someone might kill me”. His consort lady Macbeth questions his manly hood “that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it then you were a man, and to be more than what you were (act I scene 7 line 55-58).” Macbeth is easily convinced, by the instigations of his wife and by warnings “I dare do all that man becomes a man, who dares do more is none.” Finally Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill King Duncan. Macbeth now has to “look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it (act I).”

Macbeth appears to be driven along by violence “like a vessel drifting before a storm.” We see this when Macbeth fears Banquo because of the witches prophesies that his son will become king. Macbeth forgets his conscience and falls into the temptation of ambition and revenge. “We have scorched the snake not killed it. (Act III scene II) Macbeth is about to kill Banquo. Macbeth develops the idea of...