Macbeth Essay

Macbeth could be seen as inherently evil through some parts of the novel, ‘The tragedy of Macbeth’.
This statement is wrong and totally misleading. Macbeth has been influenced in the past by people
who are close to him to commit evil acts. Even though he took part in these sinful activities, he still
felt guilt after.

There are obvious examples of Mabeth being influenced by Lady Macbeth to go through with
regretful wickedness. Ambition was created from Lady Macbeth in the form of: guilt tripping,
undermining his masculinity and even threatening him driving Macbeth to commit such unforgivable
crimes. Throughout the book Lady Macbeth was characterised as a woman of: strength, ruthlessness,
and most of all being able to manipulate Macbeth into doing things he didn’t want to do. Lady
Macbeth also questioned his authority by saying “Will you take the crown you so badly, or will you
love a coward” (Act 1 Scene 7). Through this you can see that Lady Macbeth is the cause of
Macbeth’s evil thoughts.

As you go into the story of Macbeth you see the guilt and fear Macbeth has from thinking about
murder and actually killing people, after all, just the thought of killing leaves the word ‘“Amen,”
stuck in [his] throat.’ (Act:2 Sc: 2) Even with ‘God’s blessing’ (Act:2 Sc: 2) he still feels bad. This
quote is used in a biblical allusion. The use of biblical allusion has helped add depth and complexity
to Macbeth. The biblical allusions in the play serve as a prop of highlighting the moral and spiritual
consequences of the characters actions which in turn makes their choices and their fates way more
significant. Additionally, the use of biblical references makes for a lead into themes such as guilt,
ambition, and the corrupting influence of power. Macbeth explains his fear of killing King Duncan,
feeling like his ‘seated heart is knock[ing] at [his] ribs’ (Act 1: Sc: 3). This use of personification
portrays that he had a seated heart but now he has alarming fear. This quote essentially depicts his
growing fear of murder and evil things. Using personification in this context can help enhance the
meaning and therefore making his fear more dramatic or relatable. Shakespeare also uses emotive
language in this to help create a personal message to the reader.

The nature of the prophecy is accepted as fate by Macbeth which makes his ambition grow greater to
murderous heights. The opening of the play starts with the three witches chanting “Foul is fair and fair
is foul”. Rather than using the usual iambic pentameter, trochaic tetrameter is used; this creates a
sense of being not natural or even beyond human. Using the phrase “Hover through the fog and filthy
air” brings in lack of moral clarity through pathetic fallacy. The witches repeat the phrase “All hail,
Macbeth!...” (Act 1, Scene 3) Using this repetition helps persuade Macbeth that it is true.
Furthermore, in a letter to Lady Macbeth, revealed through her monologue, Macbeth suggests that he
has taken on this supernatural prophecy, signifying that the witches hold “more in them than natural
knowledge” when they reveal to him their “perfectest report” of his future success. This makes
Macbeth’s ambition grow stronger and helps the play interesting and gives it rising action.

CONCLUSION BELOW
This information conveys the idea that: Macbeth is not inherently evil. Although, his actions
throughout the play, can suggest that he has bad morals, its important to highlight the ambition,
manipulation from the three witches and Lady Macbeth. All these are external factors which means
Macbeth cannot be inherently evil to a full extent. After committing these treacherous crimes Macbeth
struggles with guilt which presents the view that Macbeth is driven to commit evil things due to
external factors.