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Essay: Explore Shakespeare’s Tragic Hero Macbeth’s Self-Destruction and Responsibility for His Actions in 11th Century Scotland

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  • Published: 23 March 2023*
  • Last Modified: 22 July 2024
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  • Words: 1,618 (approx)
  • Number of pages: 7 (approx)
  • Tags: Macbeth essays

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‘Macbeth’ was written by Shakespeare in 1606. The play is set in Scotland during the 11th century. He based his characters on real people i.e. Duncan King of Scotland, Donalbain and Macduff.
Macbeth is a tragic hero who destroys himself by his own wicked and selfish ambitions. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a courageous, noble hero of Scotland who has bravely won the war. As the story continues, Macbeth soon becomes an overthrowing king who is willing to murder anyone who becomes a threat to his Kingdom. The questions to ask are who is responsible for Macbeth’s tragic actions? Is Macbeth fully responsible or can others be blamed for their input in the tragic actions that take place?
In the 11th century Scotland was a violent and troubled country. Fighting families and clans fought to control trade and territory. The castle was the power base of each rival war-lord – the Thane. Macbeth was born into this violent world in 1005, son of the great family that ruled Moray and Ross. His own father was murdered by his cousins. Duncan’s rule had been unpopular and unsuccessful. He was 38 when he was killed by Macbeth who ruled for 17 years, in which he gave Scotland a long period of peace and stability.
Shakespeare wrote this play because King James I of England was a huge supporter and funded some of his work. Shakespeare wanted to please King James, as he was also king of Scotland, so as he was writing Macbeth he included things that he would find interesting, for example, he included witches in his play because James I was fascinated by witches and magic. Also, he used the name Banquo because his monarch was believed to be a descendant of a person called Banquo and his story is depicted in the play.

The main theme of the play is political – excessive ambition will have terrible consequences. A military general, Macbeth is told by three witches that he will become King. He was a good, loyal man and served the King well but he became impatient and tells his wife of the witches’ prophecy. Together they assassinate the King. Macbeth becomes King, however knowing what he has done he becomes paranoid and anyone showing signs of abnormality around him, he kills. Due to the saying, ‘As you sow, so shall you reap’ his wife dies mysteriously and his life ends by a nemesis he never thought would get him.

One reason why Macbeth cannot be seen as responsible for his actions is because of the witches’ role. Macbeth is influenced by the three witches who say that he will be King. “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!’ Macbeth believes the prophecy and refuses to dismiss the words of the witches, like Banquo, but instead chooses to believe in those mis-interpreted predictions. However, we know that Banquo warns Macbeth about the witches as he says, ‘But ‘tis strange: The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence.’ The use of the word ‘darkness’ shows negativity and evil. The use of the word instruments is like playing with Macbeth’s mind. So, you can see that Banquo is sceptical of the witches promises. But Macbeth ignores his advice as he is the one who decides to murder Duncan to gain the throne. This could now be seen as Macbeth being responsible for his actions.

Macbeth also has second thoughts about murdering Duncan. Although one of the predictions from the witches has come true, he finds the thought of murdering Duncan a horrifying thought, ‘If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings.’ This shows that it is not just Macbeth showing signs of mental stress, but it is also a physical stress on his body. His heart is beating fast showing fear. Duncan had previously visited the castle and was full of compliments towards Macbeth and his wife. He thinks about the consequences and how the King is a good leader and that he trusts him. He should be protecting him from murderers not trying to kill him himself, ‘Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.’

However, a reason why Macbeth can be seen responsible for his actions is because of his ambition. Macbeth’s “black and deep desires” horrify him and he refuses to speak of them openly, so he sends a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, explaining the situation. Lady Macbeth, on receiving the letter, encourages murder as she sees that this is possibly the only opportunity to achieve their ambition. Macbeth allows his wife to manipulate him by accusing him of being a coward and expresses that she would kill her own baby rather than break a promise as he has done. “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash’d the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.” Yet Macbeth, being strong mentally and physically, does not put a stop to the murder plan while his conscience warns him of his potential downfall. Instead of listening to his conscience, he defeats his guilt and continues with his ambition. Even his mind, intoxicated by the thoughts of the murder, directs him to the king’s room, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” Therefore, he is responsible for his actions.

Having murdered Duncan, Macbeth starts to regret his actions. This could be seen as not being fully responsible for what he has done, ‘Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep.’ Macbeth believes he heard a voice telling him that he’ll never sleep again. Sleep that used to be healing, nourishing, relaxing will be no more. His conscience is playing with his mind. He also says as he looks at his bloodied hands, ‘This is a sorry sight.’ Macbeth believes that blood is a symbol of guilt and murder and that this killing has shown shame towards God, ‘I could not say Amen.’ The repetition of the word ‘Amen’ shows how much it upsets him – he’s committed a crime against God. Another regret is that he says, ‘Will all great Neptunes Ocean wash this blood clean from my hands.’ This implies that he will never get rid of his guilt. Macbeth is afraid of what he has done and tells Lady Macbeth ‘he is afraid to think what I have done’.

Macbeth decides that Banquo, Fleance and MacDuff’s family must die. Macbeth discovers MacDuff has fled to Duncan’s son, Malcolm, in England and is suspicious that his downfall is coming. Banquo is also a threat to Macbeth. Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed the King. ‘Thou hast it now, King Cawdor, Glamis, all, and I fear thou playd’st most foully for it.’ So quickly was Macbeth’s acceptance to the throne, Banquo thinks that he played foul and committed murder to make the witches prophecies come about. The words “barren”, “wrenched” and “unlineal” is very powerful – Macbeth portrays Banquo as an evil villain who will take his crown away. Macbeth says, ‘To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.’ It conveys how much Macbeth has given to gain the crown. “Thus” can refer to Macbeth not only being King but a murderer too. Now that he is king he focuses on the fact that he doesn’t feel safe in this position – he starts to distrust other people who may betray him and especially fears Banquo who heard what the witches said and who was also told that his sons would succeed the throne. Macbeth does not have any children. Macbeth’s fear of Banquo is “stick deep” which is a metaphor comparing fears to roots. The use of garden imagery is common throughout the play and Shakespeare uses a metaphor to compare Macbeth’s “fruitless crown” to a tree which cannot bear fruit. This emphasizes Macbeth’s ascension to the throne if his children don’t continue his linage. ‘No son of mine succeeding. For Banquo’s issue I have filed my mind; for them the gracious Duncan have I murdered.’ and the witches say that Banquo’s sons will be kings. ‘To make them Kings, the seed of Banquo Kings!’ Macbeth is saying that his killing of King Duncan appears pointless as he has no children and feels he has killed on behalf of Banquo’s promised successors – Banquo’s children. These killings are his own decisions.
Overall, I believe that Macbeth is responsible for his actions. Although the witches and Lady Macbeth play an important part in the events that take place, they do not physically bring it about. Macbeth kills Duncan, then shuts his wife out of the decision-making process, then orders a killing spree. Although he gets the idea of being king from the witches, and with Lady Macbeth encouraging him with the assassination, he’s the one who actually does the killing. He also gives out the orders for Banquo’s death. He is very much responsible for his actions and the tragic consequences of the play.

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