FREE ESSAY ON MACBETH CHARACTERS

MACBETH CHARACTERS

Macbeth Characters : Acts I and II
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo are all tempted with the witches' prophecies. Horrid
images immediately begin to invade the minds of these three characters. However, it is
their responses to this and the choices they make that distinguish them from one another
and ultimately change lives forever.
Macbeth and Banquo respond to the witches' predictions in different ways. Banquo is very
skeptical. Although he begs for their prophecy of his future, he is not so taken with
their revelations as he says, "Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear/ Your favours
nor your hate" (I.iii.60-61). Fair words can mean foul things. Their replies are tempting
but he passes them off as only trouble. Macbeth is understandably thrilled at the sudden
reality of the truths and becomes obsessed with the idea of being king. He claims to have
decided to allow fate to direct his destiny, but their predictions have left a
frightening impression in his mind. Banquo uses good judgment believing that the witches
represent evil and will bring more harm than good, but the rapid occurrence of events
clouds Macbeth's judgment and cause him to fall prey to this deep impatient ambition. 
From the moment Lady Macbeth reads the letter, she is determined to make the witches
prophecy come true. Her mind is an echo of the witches predictions, "Fair is foul and
foul is fair"(I.i.10). However, the witches are forces of nature and fate and Lady
Macbeth is human. They may have pointed Macbeth in a direction but did not force him to
commit to anything as she did. Their predictions only came true because of her push. The
quick decisions begin as she plans the 'quickest way' to get Macbeth on the throne.
Shakespeare introduces her character as a dominant and controlling wife. Contrary to her
heartless nature though, Macbeth addresses her as a pure being because only he knows of
her hidden weaknesses. 
Lady Macbeth's character portrays many rich combinations of personality: evil,
manipulating, delicate, kind. Her resolution is so intense that it frightens Macbeth. The
sickening determination is expressed with potent imagery in scene 5, "Come to my woman's
breast, and take my milk for gall"(I.v.48-49). As soon as she sees Macbeth's
apprehensions, she mocks him by implying that he is a coward. She even questions his
manhood. Although Macbeth is chilled by his wife's hard attitude, he succumbs to her
prodding and prepares to commit to the murder. His goodness and loyalty can be seen as he
struggles with the foulness of his ambition. But when the king tells of his visit to
their home, Macbeth realizes that the time and opportunity are perfect to quench this
"burning of desire" (I.v.3). 
Banquo and Macbeth's contrasting characters are obvious in Act II. Banquo has some
strange uneasiness which makes him unwilling to go to sleep. His nervousness is evident
when he hears somebody coming and calls for his sword, even though he should feel safe in
Macbeth's castle. Banquo tells Macbeth about his fear to sleep because of the witches'
predictions. He is having "cursed thoughts" (II.i.8) and is fearful for Macbeth also.
Macbeth bluntly lies and claims that he has thought "not of them" (II.i.22). While Banquo
is confiding his private thoughts to his friend, Macbeth is dodging honesty and hints at
business that will "make honor" (II.i.26). Banquo, although tempted by the thoughts of
his heirs, rejects the prophecies and rationally overcomes the sinful thoughts. He proves
his integrity by never truly considering to act of these evil dreams. Banquo maintains a
clean conscience and responds cautiously but begins to suspect that something is amiss.
Macbeth's character seems to have become more independent at this stage. He has gained a
sense of purpose and does not need his wife's demands anymore. However, in the moments
before the crime is committed, Macbeth sees visions and seems to have lost his mind. He
does not know whether to trust his eyes or his reason: "Mine eyes are made the fools of
the other senses, or else worth all the rest" (II.i.44-45). His rationality takes over
and the murder is done. He immediately changes once again into a frightened child.
Macbeth is nearly driven mad by the horror of his actions but his wife urges him to be
practical. Tension is seen when the deed is done and husband and wife exchange sharp,
quick words. Macbeth is horrified with what he has done while Lady Macbeth takes a
soldier's stance as she says, "These deed must not be thought/ After these ways; so, it
will make us mad" (II.ii.32-33). His guilt and remorse are also controlled by his wife's
reassurance as she has him literally "wash this filthy witness"(II.ii.46) of the deed. 
After the murder is discovered, Macbeth has to take control when Lady Macbeth gives a
blundering response to the death of Duncan. Banquo scolds her for being distant and cold
to the situation. Macbeth covers for his wife's lack of sympathy until he is caught in a
lie regarding the slain watchmen. To take the attention away from the crime, Lady Macbeth
cleverly faints, showing that she is still the collected and horrifyingly calm partner.
No matter, the atmosphere of suspicion had already been strengthened. 
The characters chose different paths, good and evil, which eventually brought tragedy.
Although Lady Macbeth's sick persuasion gave Macbeth courage to act on his ambition, his
own images and passions deceived him into changing his virtues for unrest and immorality.
A short period of fast and unsure actions led to the deterioration and downfall of the
characters.