Literary Analysis on Macbeth
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William Shakespeares Macbeth is a tragic play. Gradually throughout the plays sequence, Macbeths actions become increasingly more wicked and evil. The real focus is how and why Macbeth changed so drastically. The three witches predictions or prophesies had a traumatic effect on him that slowly began his steep downfall.
In the beginning of the play, Macbeth was the trust-worthy Thane of Glamis. He was respected from high ranking people for his military achievements. “For brave Macbeth – Well deserves that name!” (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 16) What is so puzzling is how he could have flipped from this loyal man to the wicked king in the end. It all began with the prophesies from the three weird sisters.
“All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth!
Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail to Macbeth! Thou shalt be
king hereafter!”
(Act I Scene 3 Line 49-51)
Macbeth was completely shocked at this. Macbeth was confused at how he could be Thane of Cawdor when there was already one. He didnt believe them at first. It only took one truth in all of these falsehoods. Little did Macbeth know that he was already Thane of Cawdor even before the witches predictions.
“No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest:
go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet
Macbeth.”
(Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 63-65)
Soon after that the kings servant Ross and Lennox brought the news to Macbeth and Banquo just after the predictions from the weird sisters. He even was wary of what the messengers had to say to him.
“The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed
robes?” (Act I Scene 3 Line 109)
Finally after messengers had convinced Macbeth they were not telling him falsehoods, he took faith in what they had told him. This brought him to realize that the three witches told the truth. He believed what these strange women told him, taking it as truth instead of shrugging off his shoulders like Banquo did. Because of this realization, he started to think about how he could achieve the final predictions order. He wrote to his wife (Lady Macbeth) telling of all that had occurred. Slowly, but surely his ambition crept up. He began to want things that seemed out of his reach at the time. When he heard of Malcolm becoming the Prince of Cumberland he didnt know what