Macbeth (Shakespeare, 1606) – Appendix B in Journey into Literature

What Makes Macbeth Tick? : An Analysis of Shakespeare’s character Macbeth
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What Makes Macbeth Tick? : An Analysis of Shakespeare’s character Macbeth
Casting a second glance at the things people do gives an interesting fact about them. The investigation of the facts that motivate individuals towards a particular trend helps us not only to understand the specific person in question but the entire humanity. Observing and analyzing a fictitious character pattern then, can help us determine how to navigate relationships and redeem otherwise unredeemable characteristics within ourselves and our friends. This is the reason why prompt ‘1’ is fascinating to me. My research will review the real essence of the character of Macbeth in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth.’ It is easy to condemn Macbeth as a naturally cruel man who does things that most people would not dream about. However, in-depth insight into the text reveals that he is intrinsically not a violent individual. Macbeth is purely a man who succumbs to the greed for power, ambition, and love for his wife that he forgets his moral obligation towards hid friends and his countrymen and therefore commits despicable atrocities as a king.
The key idea to explore in this research is the contrasting characterization of Macbeth before the message by the witches, his wife’s motivation and his attitude as a king. In the opening pages of the text, Macbeth is a noble gentleman. He has won a battle for his country against Ireland and Norway.

(Shakespeare & Crowther, 2003) Despite the enormous success, he is neither proud nor anxious and comes home quietly with Banquo. Ironically, Macbeth rises to the position that predisposes him to be a king through the execution of a traitor. The words of the witches and the consequent declaration of Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor ignite greater ambition in Macbeth than previously experienced. Whereas before it may have seemed out of reach, suddenly he realizes he could e the king. Slowly, his focus starts to shift from a determination to serve his nation to rising in rank. This is accelerated by the persuasion of the wife, who suggests the assassination of Duncan. (Shakespeare & Crowther, 2003) Macbeth no longer acts just out of his greed but also as an attempt to fulfill his wife’s expectation. This two factors propel him to the eventual deplorable character of a king he is and ultimately to his death.

References
Shakespeare, W. & Crowther, J. (2003). Macbeth. New York, NY: Spark Pub.