Macbeth – the Victim of Others
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I will be arguing that Macbeth is the victim of the three witches and his wife Lady Macbeth. The three witches were the sun and water to Macbeths seed of doubt they tempted him with their prophecies that drove him to believe that he would be king in Act 1, Scene 3. Lady Macbeth brought out the dark evil side of Macbeth which left them both with blood on their hands and a conscience that could never be repaired in Act 1, Scene 7.
Act 1, Scene 3 Macbeth and Banquo come across the Witches he greets them as imperfect speakers (Line 71). The three Witches manipulate Macbeth into believing in their tempting prophecies. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! (Line: 50-51). Filling his head with these prophecies only fuelled his ego and led him to murder after murder, betrayal after betrayal.
The three witches had the greatest influence on Macbeth as they were trying to create chaos by prophesying him, in order to get him to act, which lead to the destruction of the good man. In Act 1 Scene 3, the influence of the witches lead Macbeth to repeat and follow the witches words, this is shown through oxymoron/paradox “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (1.3.39). This oxymoron/paradox shows how Macbeth has echoed the witches words from the beginning of the play, and it also establishes the connection between the witches and Macbeth. It also suggests that Macbeth is the focus of the plays moral confusion.
Also, after Macbeth had echoed the witches words by their influence, the witches flattered Macbeth and announced his titles, this manipulation of the witches is demonstrated through the repetition “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.49-51). This repetition makes Macbeth think and observe to be worshipped. The power of the witches flattery goes to his head, and therefore he leads to murder those who are in his way.
Through out this Scene Shakespeare uses the language technique Rhyming. Each Witch has there own Rhyming pattern for example, the first Witch But in a sieve Ill thither sail, And like a rat without a tail (Line: 9-10). Compared to the other characters in the play, the rhyme of the Witches is short and a lot quicker. By doing this it separates the Witches from the other characters and adds a more sinister and chant-like quality to their wicked nature. The rhyme also draws Macbeth and the audience into their illusion of serene even though they speak immoral things.
The second character that has a profound influence over Macbeth is his wife Lady Macbeth. From the start of the play Lady Macbeth has always been hungry for power and has always put a question mark over her husbands manhood. In Act 1, Scene 7 Lady Macbeth now has the chance to satisfy her hunger. Macbeth struggles with his conscience about what is morally