In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth’s true character is shown in Act 4, Scene 1. At the start of the story, Macbeth is known to be a courageous and strong warrior, loved by king Duncan. However, before he meets with the witches for the second time, he begins to show that he is losing his humanity as time progresses. Once he goes to meet with the witches, Macbeth begins to believe the prophecies they are telling him. This is why this scene contains the final outcome of Macbeth’s negative character. Macbeth’s deteriorating character can be seen through his acceptance of the wickedness of the witches. At the beginning of the story, Macbeth was always wary of the three witches. However, in this scene, Macbeth decides that the witches are the …show more content…
This means that his ego is so large, that he is beginning to harm himself, and the others around him. After the second apparition tells Macbeth that no one born from a woman can harm him, he says “Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee?” (IV.1.82). Originally, Macbeth decided to go to the witches due to his fear of Macduff. Be that as it may, after hearing the words of the apparition, his confidence grows intensely. He no longer fears Macduff, so much so that he believes Macduff shouldn’t have to die. Additionally, Macbeth refers to himself as “our high-plac’d Macbeth” (IV.1.98). One could say that Macbeth is referring to himself as a God. This also demonstrates Macbeth’s confidence in his ruling ability. Not only is he confident in his own abilities, but he is also confident in the witches’ abilities. As soon as he is told these prophecies, he instantly believes them. Furthermore, the second apparition says “Be bloody, bold, and resolute: laugh to scorn the pow'r of man; for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth” (IV.1.79-81). This demonstrates that even the apparitions acknowledge the fact that Macbeth will confidently believe everything that they tell him. Thus, they let it be known that no man born of a woman will be able to bring danger against him. The second apparition even encourages Macbeth to be more confident, leading him farther into the final outcome of his negative …show more content…
After the witches tell him to “seek to know no more.” (IV.1.103), he tells them, “Deny me this, and an eterne curse fall on you!” (IV.1.104-105) This comes off as very aggressive, which isn’t like Macbeth at all. Not only that, but he says that the witches, the ones who cursed him, will become cursed themselves for all of eternity. Knowing the strength of these curses himself, Macbeth uses it as a threat to the ones who are helping him, just so he can get an answer to a question he does not need an answer to. On top of that, Macbeth says to the witches, “Thou hast harp’d my fear aright. But one word more-” (IV.1.74). One could interpret that Macbeth has become dependent on the prophecies of the apparitions and the witches themselves. Even after they already helped him once, he asks them again to give him some more information. He says that he is no longer afraid, but he still wants to hear more from the apparition. Macbeth also says, “Yet my heart throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art can tell so much, shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?” (IV.1.100-103). This solidifies the fact that Macbeth is still afraid, as he asks about the truth of one of the witches’ original prophecies. He believes that because their witchcraft can tell him so much, they will be able to answer his question without a problem. In his mind, the apparitions have unlimited knowledge, and he deserves to
He believes that he can rule as a king however he wants and that no one will be able to replace him. Macbeth feels comforted and releases some of the stress and nightmares he was previously having. His newly gained comfort gives Macbeth a false sense of security that leads to Macbeth’s poor preparation to resist the English troops. Thinking that he cannot be harmed, Macbeth does not take the necessary steps to protect Scotland and his life. When he finally encounters Macduff on the battlefield, he believes it will be an easy fight as he deems himself invincible, but he is slaughtered.
He said this after killing Macbeth for killing his whole family because the witches told him to beware. Because Macbeth strives for success, he goes to the witches to seek what he should do next to become king. The witches tell him that he must beware of Macduff, who has been watching him. After he learns this information, MacBeth ultimately demands that his castle be seized, and his family be killed. Once Macduff learns this, he is angry and declares to fight with Macbeth.
The witches’ apparitions ended up tricking Macbeth, as they turned against him. It is true that Macbeth should beware Macduff, but that is where the truth ends. It turned out that Macduff was born from a C-section as his mother died at birth, so Macduff was actually a man who wasn’t born from a woman. Also, Macduff and his troops used limbs of trees from the forest to disguise themselves when they were going to attack Macbeth, so the forest technically did move to Macbeth’s castle. The three apparitions from the witches duped Macbeth, as he was not actually out of harm’s way, which led to his ultimate downfall and
In fact, Macbeth becomes fascinated by them, "would they had stayed." Banquo serves as his conscience, perhaps representing the period audience who would have also thought the witches to be evil and unnatural, and warns him of the dangers of trusting such supernatural messengers; a warning that goes unheeded. After hearing the prophecy, Macbeth already thinks about, "murder," and becomes preoccupied with thoughts of becoming king showing the powerful hold they have over him with only one meeting, scaring the audience who would have believed in Witches. Macbeth believes the Witches as there first prophecy came true and ignores the fact that they’re evil beings whereas Banquo recognizes them for what they are. He even informs his most beloved, Lady Macbeth, who also shares his ambition.
When we are first presented with the character of Macbeth he is pictured as a noble and loyal warrior. However, once his future is presented to him by the witches saying that he, Macbeth, is to become the next great King of Scotland, he begins to lose focus and makes the wrong decisions. Macbeth begins to only make choices that will benefit only himself and to gain power. Becoming almost unrecognizable to the person he once was. After confronting his wife, Lady Macbeth, he isn't the only one with a lust for power.
Thinking this means everyone, Macbeth feels he no longer has to worry about Macduff, a main he finds most threatening to his position as king. However, this is not enough to satisfy Macbeth’s mental scorpions. Looking over the situation, Macbeth comments, “Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee?/But yet I’ll make assurance double sure/ And take a bond of fate.
Macbeth is overall pleased with what the witches have told him, and remains relaxed, understanding that he is insurmountable, and safe from harm. What Macbeth does not know is that the apparitions were formulated to appease his thoughts, and suggest something very different from what Macbeth depicts. By believing he is totally safe, he makes himself vulnerable to destruction, since he does not worry about how anyone can pose a threat to him. He goes on with his wicked life confidently, until he is delivered news that Malcom is guiding
Macbeth's unwavering belief in his invulnerability deceives him of the true capabilities of his opponents, leading him to underestimate them and make reckless decisions. The quote can also highlight Macbeth's desperation to cling to power. He desperately clings to the witches' words as a source of reassurance, seeking reassurance that he is impossible to harm. However, this turns out not to be accurate as he ends up defeated by Macduff, as his overconfidence becomes his
In Document D, Macbeth states, "Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, ... thou shalt not live…” In this quote, Macbeth is expressing his confidence that he does not need to fear Macduff, a Scottish nobleman who he suspects may be a threat to his reign. However, even though he believes he has no reason to fear Macduff, he wants to eliminate any potential threats to his rule.
To start, throughout the play Macbeth is very ignorant to things that are going on around him. In act 4 scene 1, the Apparitions tell Macbeth about his future it states,”Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, beware Macduff; Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me, enough” (4.1.78-89). This displays ignorance because he later dismissed this because the second apparition told him that no man born of woman can harm him. This makes him believe that he is safe because he assumes that he was worn by a woman.
Once Macduff gets face to face with Macbeth, Macbeth’s world and hope falls apart and is shown when he says, “I will not yield, To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet, And to be baited with the rabble’s curse.” ( v. viii 27-29) Macbeth knowing he will be killed and faces the facts, he surrenders
For Macbeth’s desire to know more about his future, the Second Apparition says: “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth… Then Macbeth responds, “Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? / But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, / And take a bond of fate.
When Macbeth is told by the first vision that he needs to beware of Macduff, his fears are confirmed that Macduff is a threat. When Macbeth is told this, he decides to kill Macduff’s family (Mac IV.i.71-74). Just like the witches, the apparition does not force Macbeth to act upon what he has been told, but still steers Macbeth towards violent
This good side of Macbeth eventually deteriorates, however, as he fights for power and kingship by killing not only King Duncan, but many others. He ends up as a much hated king who is eventually killed. The character of Macbeth shifts from a favourable, loyal person to one that is destructive and consumed by power. This idea is analysed by Shakespeare by the way of his power in his marriage, how he involved himself with the witches, and how willing he was to do things. The first way that Macbeth’s change was shown in the play is how strong he was inside of his relationship with Lady Macbeth.
William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the main character; Macbeth, is seen as an evil character. The play is based off of Macbeth’s decisions and his actions to become King. In the beginning Macbeth starts out as a hero in Scotland’s war with Ireland and towards the end he is transformed into a murderer. Macbeth is not wholly evil because of is heroism in the war, his love for Scotland, and because he didn’t want to kill King Duncan initially. Macbeth was brain washed by his wife and tricked into killing the King.