Question 7

Throughout the play, Macbeth has a shocking and disturbing transformation from a loyal
Thane to an evil killer. In the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a loyal subject
that would do anything to defend his king. Therefore, Shakespeare plants the idea in
our head early on that Macbeth was once a humble Thane not desperate for glory. For
example, when the Captain is recapping to the king the events of the prior war the king
refers to Macbeth as a “valiant cousin and worthy gentlemen” (1.2.26). He even gave
Macbeth more power for his efforts and crowned him the Thane of Cawdor (1.2.76).
However, as soon as Macbeth and Banquo hear what the witches have to say the idea
of power cannot get out of Macbeth’s head. The witches told Macbeth that he would
become king one day(1.3.54) and the idea of all that power was overwhelming to
Macbeth. This moment right here was the beginning of the end for Macbeth as he
returned home and promptly killed the king to assure the witches would be correct.
However, Macbeth was hesitant to kill the king originally King Duncan. For example,
while Lady Macbeth is pleading to Macbeth to kill Duncan he only says “We will speak
further” (1.5.83). This conveys that Macbeth was not originally evil and did not even
want to kill Duncan but Lady Macbeth irked him enough to do it.
Clearly, as soon as Macbeth put the dagger in King Duncan he had completely
changed. His shift from a loyal Thane to an evil tyrant was complete. Soon after the
killing of King Duncan, Macbeth kills Banquo and tried to kill his son. This conveys that
even though Macbeth felt guilty after killing Duncan he has to kill Banquo since he felt
he was a threat to his throne. This proves that Macbeth is now willing to do anything for
power and is not afraid to kill anybody. Macbeth’s complete transition is evident through
his second encounter with the witches. The witches portray what the future holds for
Macbeth through apparitions. The first states that Macbeth should “Beware Macduff!
Beware the Thane of Fife.” (4.1.81-82). The second says “...none of a women born shall
harm Macbeth.”(4.1.91-92) and the third says “Macbeth shall never be vanquished be
until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.”(4.1.105-107).
Here, the witches are saying that since everybody was born of a women and that tress
can’t move Macbeth should have no reason to fear Macduff. However, Macbeth says
“The castle of Macduff I will surprise Seize upon Fife give to th’ edge o th’ sword. His
wife, his babes and all unfortunate souls.” (4.1.171-173). This quote signifies that
Macbeth is now killing entire families just in case whereas in the beginning Macbeth
was hesitant to even kill one person.
In the play,there is no true distinction between good and evil. Although Macbeth
is evil in the end, in the beginning he was a loyal soldier. In my opinion, the only true evil
characters were the witches. Had they not sought out Macbeth and sent him toward a
horrible path then perhaps many lives could have been saved. Also, it is intriguing to
see the distinction of how Macbeth’s killings are and how Malcolm and Macduff’s killings
are in the end of the play. Since Macbeth is the villain, his murders are seen as
tyrannical and hate-filled. Meanwhile, when Macduff and Malcolm storm the castle and
kill Macbeth and his army, they are seen as heroes.