Changes in Macbeth Acts 1 and 2
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- Category: English: Shakespeare
- Date Submitted: 11/17/2010 01:55 PM
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Changes in Macbeth’s Character
Macbeth, a powerful and ambitious loyal subject, descends throughout acts one and two to become a murderous usurper. Macbeth leaves his first impression as a fearless general fighting in the war, and who distinguishes himself as brave and loyal, and who will protect his country. A captain returning from the battle reports to Duncan about Macbeth's accomplishments in the battle, and Duncan blesses Macbeth for his courageousness. " Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valor's minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave; …till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements" (I.II.15-24). After the battle the witches inform Macbeth that he is going to become the next Thane of Cawdor. He initially questions if this prophecy is true, but soon starts believing. With more confidence, after a conference with Lady Macbeth in which she urges him to seize the throne, Macbeth muses over killing Duncan, “If good why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image both unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature?” (I.III.136-139). Although Macbeth understands how wrong contracting for Duncan’s death would be he still executes his evil plan. Shortly thereafter, Macbeth feels guilty and fears the prospect of carrying out the deed; he shares his misgiving with Lady Macbeth, “We will proceed no further in this business” (I.VII.32). Lady Macbeth quickly reminds Macbeth of his lofty ambitions, reversing his lapse of courage, so he reverts to his original scheme once again. In act two, Macbeth actually commits this horrid crime, but feels guilty from it. Macbeth suffers enormously and is overcome with guilt to the point where he wishes he could unco his deed and simply awaken dead Duncan, “Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst” (II.ii.72). Over the course of acts one and two, Macbeth transforms from a...
Macbeth, a powerful and ambitious loyal subject, descends throughout acts one and two to become a murderous usurper. Macbeth leaves his first impression as a fearless general fighting in the war, and who distinguishes himself as brave and loyal, and who will protect his country. A captain returning from the battle reports to Duncan about Macbeth's accomplishments in the battle, and Duncan blesses Macbeth for his courageousness. " Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valor's minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave; …till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements" (I.II.15-24). After the battle the witches inform Macbeth that he is going to become the next Thane of Cawdor. He initially questions if this prophecy is true, but soon starts believing. With more confidence, after a conference with Lady Macbeth in which she urges him to seize the throne, Macbeth muses over killing Duncan, “If good why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image both unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature?” (I.III.136-139). Although Macbeth understands how wrong contracting for Duncan’s death would be he still executes his evil plan. Shortly thereafter, Macbeth feels guilty and fears the prospect of carrying out the deed; he shares his misgiving with Lady Macbeth, “We will proceed no further in this business” (I.VII.32). Lady Macbeth quickly reminds Macbeth of his lofty ambitions, reversing his lapse of courage, so he reverts to his original scheme once again. In act two, Macbeth actually commits this horrid crime, but feels guilty from it. Macbeth suffers enormously and is overcome with guilt to the point where he wishes he could unco his deed and simply awaken dead Duncan, “Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst” (II.ii.72). Over the course of acts one and two, Macbeth transforms from a...