Macbeth: themes and literary analysis

Shakespeare's Macbeth represents what many refer to as the tragic hero. This can be proven by examining Macbeth's character. Through a series of bad decisions, Macbeth single-handedly ruins his own life. By allowing himself to be influenced by outside forces, Macbeth diffuses his own moral strength and good nature, which were the very things that led him to greatness. Step-by-step throughout the play, the reader can watch Macbeth's character deteriorate until he has nothing left. Macbeth might have been a tragic hero, but the tragedy was of his own making.

In the beginning of the play, Macbeth demonstrates characteristics of a hero and a leader. His loyalty to the king transforms into a desire to be king. This is evident in the first scene when Macbeth encounters the witches and falls victim to their curses and predictions. Because of his false sense of security, he believes everything they say. In a rather simple move, they have successfully tempted him with the idea of becoming king.

Macbeth reveals his weakness in character when he allows himself to be swayed by what the witches tell him. Shakespeare paints a picture of a man that is somehow mesmerized by them and lulled into a "fantastical" state of mind (1. 3. 139). Because he listens to them, he opens the door to fear and doubt; by believing what they say, he welcomes ambition.

Throughout the play the reader witnesses Macbeth's encounters with his fear and his ambition each vying for his character. For instance, Macbeth demonstrates strength and careful judgment when considering the act of murder when he says, "If fate will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir" (1. 3. 148-150). However, he proves unable to win the moral battle. By not following what he knows to be the right thing, Macbeth starts on a journey of self-destruction. His fear and ambition become stronger than his conscious. Once Macbeth's weakness of character is completely exposed, he is practically hopeless to the power of Lady Macbeth's insults. When he did express his insecurities, they were only compounded by the woman he loved:

Art thou afeard

To be the same in thine own act and valour

As thou art in desire? Wouldst though have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life.

And live a coward in thine own esteem. (1. 8. 39-43)

Macbeth clearly allowed himself to be influenced by his wife, despite his own personal feelings. He agreed to go through with the murder despite his "heat-oppressed mind" (2. 1. 39-46). This scene represents how Macbeth was struggling with morality; Shakespeare demonstrates the fragility of human nature and the powerful effect that outside forces can have on one's decisions. Macbeth struggles, and in all fairness, fights a good fight -- but not good enough, as he succumbs to influence of others.

Even just before his commits the murder, Macbeth shows signs of remorse and guilt, stating that "all Neptune's ocean will not wash this blood clean from my hand" (2. 2. 50-61); yet he follows through with the act. The murder represents the loss of the battle with morality. The loss of his moral compass only seems to intensify his fear. Throughout the play, Macbeth demonstrates poor judgment, which proves to be fatal.

Through Macbeth, Shakespeare is demonstrating how the mind, once it becomes unstable, can progress quickly to a state of irrationality. Macbeth was fighting two very powerful emotions: ambition and fear. They lead him into confusion, which causes him to doubt himself. Self doubt, fear and ambition are the tools with which Macbeth willfully uses to destroy himself.

Therefore, when Macbeth is overcome with his emotions and justifies the fact that Banquo must be killed, it only makes illogical sense:

be thus is nothing;

But to be safely thus: -- our fears in Banquo.

Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature

Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;

And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,

He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour

To act in safety. There is none but he

Whose being I do fear: and under him,

My genius is rebuk'd... (3. 1. 48-56).

Although he expresses guilt over the killing of Banquo, he is more consumed with fear of losing the crown and ambition to have it -- all because of the witches' prophecy.

Macbeth's attitude undergoes a dramatic change after killing Banquo, when he confesses that it is "too late" for him to go back, for he is "in blood steppe'd in so far that... Returning were as tedious as to go o'er" (3. 4. 136-38). Here the reader is shown that Macbeth essentially surrenders any good qualities he may have possessed. He proves yet again how by his own hand, he is his own victim.

Further evidence of the depth Macbeth's downfall is when he learns of Lady Macbeth's death. He seems devoid of any emotion and weary of life when he says: