In The Play There Are Many Evil

Deeds That Macbeth Committed Essay, Research Paper

In the play there are many evil deeds that

Macbeth committed. These include the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Lady Macduff

and her son. Macbeth is also responsible for Scotland’s disorder. Macbeth plays

the main role in each incident, with the other characters being only minor and

undeveloped; acting as vehicles for Macbeth’s actions. It is possible that it

is not entirely Macbeth’s fault for the evil deeds in the play.

In Act II, Scene II Macbeth is patented as a hero, when he defeated Norway in

war for his country.

‘O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman’

Initially, the Elizabethan audience consider Macbeth as a respectable and well

like character. We do however learn that appearances can be deceptive which

corresponds with the main theme; ‘Fair is foul, Foul is fair’ which is referred

to a lot throughout the play. This theme is first introduced in Act I, Scene I

where the witches foretell the struggle between the forces of evil and good in

which Macbeth is to be involved. It is also an indication that all will not be

as it seems. This portrays a character as being much worse if the audience’s

first impressions of that character were positive.

Macbeth’s meeting with the witches brings a prediction which symbolises the

beginning of Macbeth’s downfall.

FIRST WITCH: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Glamis

SECOND WITCH: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor.

THIRD WITCH: All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter.

Macbeth is startled when he hears this prophecy. He believes that his title is

still Thane of Glamis; yet here he has just been told that he shall be King. He

does not know Macdonwald who has been sentenced to death for betraying his

country. The witches plant the idea of being King into Macbeth’s mind, which

has encourages Macbeth to consider his future.

In his soliloquy, the audience learn about Macbeth’s initial plan to murder

Duncan so that he shall have power and position earlier, thus destroying the

natural order.

‘My thought, whose murther is yet but fantastical.’

Macbeth sent a letter to Lady Macbeth outlining the witches’ prophecy. He also

consults her concerning his plans. This is how Macbeth reduces some of the

responsibility of the incident of the murder by accepting her guidance and

advice.

It becomes apparent that Macbeth is somewhat of a moral coward. This could be

seen as a positive attribute as it shows the weaknesses of Macbeth, and asks

could Macbeth be fully responsible if he is not totally independent. He changes

his mind about the murder a number of times. He deceives Banquo by telling him

he is going to let the natural order prevail but then changes his mind again

when Duncan announces that his son Malcom is to be his successor. Macbeth

intends to destroy this. Macbeth has a change of heart before he reaches home

until his wife persuades him that it can be done safely. Macbeth leaves the

banquet that is to be Duncan’s last, deciding not to do it. Finally Lady

Macbeth questions Macbeth’s manhood and persuades him to go through with the

murder.

To be a man in Shakespearean times meant to have strong personality and being

able to fight and kill with no remorse. This is a recurrent theme in the play

as Macbeth’s masculinity is undermined on several occasions by Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth is brave when it comes to thought but when he is faced with the action,

he hesitates and has to be persuaded into action by his wife. He does, however

use the knowledge of the prophecy of the witches, as security.

‘All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter.’

During this intense time, Macbeth is hesitant and his weakness is shown in the

way he seeks to put off the murder. He had doubts. Macbeth came under constant

pressure from Lady Macbeth.

‘Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain.’

This shows that Macbeth is not purely evil and that he has a conscience. This

could make it easier for Macbeth by reducing some of the blame that could be

placed on him for the evil deeds, when we have seen that Macbeth did not commit

this crime acting under his own intentions; but rather Lady Macbeth’s.

What follows illustrates Macbeth feeling guilty. He cannot sleep, he feels that

he has murdered sleep. In Shakespearean times sleep represented innocence. Lady

Macbeth tells Macbeth that if he washes his hands there will be no reminder of

the murder.

‘A little water clears us of this deed:’

This is an ironic comment on what Macbeth continues to say.

‘Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood.’

Macbeth responds by saying that water will not get rid of his guilt. Blood

symbolises evil and for Macbeth it is suspicion as he has become paranoid.

Macbeth is not a cold blooded killer otherwise he would not be feeling these

emotions. <

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