Hidden Evil The story of Macbeth begins when Macbeth becomes a great war hero by killing the enemy leader. He secured the victory for Scotland over Norway and earned the respect of his king, Duncan. Macbeth was named the Thane of Cawdor, taking the title from a traitor during the war. Macbeth was called “noble Macbeth” by King Duncan, showing the respect he had earned (I.II.78). Later, honorable Macbeth was told a very implausible yet fruitful prophecy by three witches depicting him as the King of Scotland. Over time, temptation rules dominant over Macbeth’s previous honor, he decides to fulfill his prophecy through any means necessary. Macbeth becomes the ultimate soldier and hero by securing the victory for Scotland. He earns the respect
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Prior to killing Duncan, Macbeth hallucinates and sees a dagger in front of him. This dagger leads Macbeth to the murder of Duncan. The fact that he was hallucinating may have helped him kill Duncan as it eased the actual deed in that very moment. It seemed that Macbeth was being guided to the murder by himself without knowing, and that the pressures from his wife gave his subconscious little choice. Later the next morning Macbeth is named king with the monstrous toll of a man’s life. When Duncan is found dead and Macbeth kills his guards to cover his tracks, Macbeth is already questioned. Banquo does not believe Macbeth had good reason to kill the guards. Macbeth said he was overwhelmed in the moment and wanted revenge. Banquo and Macbeth are good friends, but Banquo was very quick to have distrust in Macbeth. Banquo had known Macbeth for such a long time and was with him when the witches told him he would be crowned king. This explains why Banquo was so quick to have distrust in an old friend. The witches’ prophecy was so powerful that it easily teared apart an old and strong friendship. Macduff, Thane of Fife, leaves before Macbeth is crowned king as he does not support him. Macbeth, still driven by the prophecy of the three witches, calls his new title as King of Scotland fruitless. Macbeth was very angry when saying “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so, For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind” (III.I.64-68). Macbeth felt as if he had put himself through the pain of killing such a respected king for Banquo’s sons, not himself. Macbeth being fully taken over by evil, calls for the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. At this point there is no trace of the honorable Macbeth from the beginning of the play, only the
Prior to killing Duncan, Macbeth hallucinates and sees a dagger in front of him. This dagger leads Macbeth to the murder of Duncan. The fact that he was hallucinating may have helped him kill Duncan as it eased the actual deed in that very moment. It seemed that Macbeth was being guided to the murder by himself without knowing, and that the pressures from his wife gave his subconscious little choice. Later the next morning Macbeth is named king with the monstrous toll of a man’s life. When Duncan is found dead and Macbeth kills his guards to cover his tracks, Macbeth is already questioned. Banquo does not believe Macbeth had good reason to kill the guards. Macbeth said he was overwhelmed in the moment and wanted revenge. Banquo and Macbeth are good friends, but Banquo was very quick to have distrust in Macbeth. Banquo had known Macbeth for such a long time and was with him when the witches told him he would be crowned king. This explains why Banquo was so quick to have distrust in an old friend. The witches’ prophecy was so powerful that it easily teared apart an old and strong friendship. Macduff, Thane of Fife, leaves before Macbeth is crowned king as he does not support him. Macbeth, still driven by the prophecy of the three witches, calls his new title as King of Scotland fruitless. Macbeth was very angry when saying “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so, For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind” (III.I.64-68). Macbeth felt as if he had put himself through the pain of killing such a respected king for Banquo’s sons, not himself. Macbeth being fully taken over by evil, calls for the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. At this point there is no trace of the honorable Macbeth from the beginning of the play, only the