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DESCENT INTO DESTRUCTION:
THE TRANSFORMATION OF MACBETH
Submitted By
Jared Wilson
World Studies English
Mrs. McMillan
January 12, 2005
Ambition, it is the emotion that drives individuals to act and become a force upon the world, a force for good or a force for evil. Such ambition can bend and shape the path an individual takes in life. And for every choice made there is a consequence that follows. William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth is a profound study of such ambition and of its consequences upon the title character, Macbeth. He is physically, emotionally, and psychologically changed over the course of the play by a series of events driven by his ambition which consist of a fateful meeting with three witches, his betrayal of the King and of his own heart, the murder of Banquo, a prophetic meeting with three apparitions, and finally Macduff’s astonishing revelation before his spectacular clash with Macbeth. These events change Macbeth from a valiant and noble man, as Duncan praised him, to an empty shell devoid of pity, sanity, and life. However, the events leading up to this tremendous transformation are as important as the final result.
When the three witches meet with Macbeth they set in motion a chain reaction that will lead to his inevitable fate. Upon meeting with him, they hail Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King. Macbeth is shocked to hear these latter two titles and dismisses the witches’ hails as nothing of substance. This mindset soon changes when the Ross arrives bearing the news that the King has bestowed Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawdor. He speculates that since one of the prophecies has come true, the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning his kingship is not far behind. This idea seems to strongly appeal to him as he reveals in his thoughts. “If chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me, / Without my stir” (Shakespeare 10). This new state of mind is what catalyzes more changes in the future.
After his bizarre experience with the witches, Macbeth patiently waits for Duncan to announce his heir. When he does announce his heir Macbeth is frustrated that it is Malcolm, Duncan’s son, and not him. Angry over the subject, Macbeth dismisses the witches’ prophecies as erroneous. His wife is not so easily dissuaded however. Lady Macbeth is an ambitious woman, even more so than her husband, and is willing to do anything to obtain the thing she desires. What she desires right now is more power, and Lady Macbeth sees an opportunity to get more. She persuades Macbeth to kill the King and take the throne. However, much to the dismay of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s conscience will not let him do such an evil thing to one that his been so kind to him. Here we see again that Macbeth will only let chance crown him King, however this does not last. Lady Macbeth is determined so she goads Macbeth back into the plot by challenging his supremacy and by calling him a coward. This works as it does on most men and causes Macbeth to undergo a key change. “Away and mock the time with fairest show; / False face must hide what the false heart doth know” (Shakespeare 21). Inside himself Macbeth still knows what he is doing is wrong, however he hides away his true feelings so that they will not inconvenience his ambitions, or his wife’s.
After he carries out his horrible deed, Macbeth becomes King of the Scots and soon grows to be fearful of those who suspect his part in the Kings death, primarily Banquo. Macbeth orders him killed and is hosting dinner for several nobles when he receives the news that Banquo will no longer pose a threat. Turning around to go back to the table and sit he is shocked to see the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair. This experience shatters Macbeth’s courage and sanity and causes him to grow more fearful than ever before.
Seeking to rid himself of fear Macbeth goes to consult the three witches. There they answer his questions with three cryptic apparitions, an armed head, a bloody child, and a child crowned with a tree in his hand. The first apparition tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Macbeth takes some comfort in knowing who to watch out for. The second apparition tells Macbeth that none of woman born shall harm him. Macbeth is pleased to hear this and renews his courage. The third apparition tells Macbeth that he will not be vanquished until the Great Birnam Wood comes to high Dunsinane Hill. Reasoning that trees are fixed in the ground, Macbeth gains an indomitable fearlessness.
With such fearlessness Macbeth prepares for battle against Malcolm and the English forces. Things begin to go awry when the scout tells Macbeth that the forest is marching on Dunsinane Hill, while in actuality it is the English forces hiding their numbers, it still fulfills the prophecy of the third apparition and causes doubt to begin to gnaw at Macbeth’s courage. After the battle is all but lost Macduff finds Macbeth on the battlefield and initiates a deadly struggle. When Macbeth tells him that his efforts are useless because no man of woman born can harm him, Macduff reveals a crucial piece of information. “Despair they charm! / And let the angel whom thou still hast served / Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (Shakespeare 91). This stunning revelation destroys that last threads of courage left in Macbeth and destroys any desire he once had to fight Macduff. Angered with the loss of his family, Macduff will not let him rest. He makes sure that Macbeth knows how much of a public joke he will become if he surrenders. Macbeth’s pride will not accept such insult so he resolves to fight Macduff to the bitter end, and consequently, his demise.
Tragedies are required to end on a sad note, and thusly Macbeth ends. A noble and honorable individual has all but disappeared leaving behind an empty shell of a man first blinded, then ultimately destroyed by his ambition. He is physically, emotionally, and psychologically distorted by his meeting with three witches, his betrayal of the King and of his heart, the murder of Banquo, a prophetic meeting with three apparitions, and Macduff’s stunning revelation before his fateful fight with Macbeth. He had a choice in each situation, but he let his ambition decide his fate and it has only led him to insanity, despair, and death.
Bibliography
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York: Pocket Books, 1959.
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I am so glad we get to double space stuff.
Thanks!
EDIT: Updated last sentence of last body paragraph.
