Macbeth

2 Pages 481 Words

“Cowards die many times before their death.” Macbeth displayed many noticeable
characteristics throughout Shakespeare’s play of the same name. He was courageous
at times and cowardly at others. The most noticeable characteristic in Macbeth was his
ambition throughout the play. He also seemed to be a moral coward as he depended
on others more than himself to make decisions. His cowardly ambition soon lead to his
tragic death at the end of the play.
At the beginning of Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth was described very clearly as
a hero. In the opening scenes he was very loyal to the king, and then grows very
ambitious to be the king. This is shown in the quotation “If chance will have me king,
why / chance may crown me / Without my stir.” His ambition to be king dissolved his
good nature and morality. When Duncan arrives at Inverness, Macbeth controlled his
ambition for the time being and thought very firmly on the plotting of Duncan’s murder.
Lady Macbeth stated, “My hands are of your color; but I shame / To wear a heart so
white.” MacBeth being called a coward changed his ambition, then soon after the
murder was taking place. After the successful murder of Duncan, Macbeth entered a
life of evil. Ambition was also clearly stated when he thought of killing his friend Banquo
to protect the kingship. The witches’ predictions sent Macbeth into his own world where
he could not be stopped on his way to becoming king.
Macbeth overcame his personal matters to plot the death of the king. In the
scene where the murder of Duncan is taking place, he shows he is a coward when he
will not complete the successful murder by taking the daggers back and placing them
with the guards. This also showed a sense of insecurity, as Macbeth seemed no longer
confident in the success of the murder.
Macbeth, who no longer needed any encouragement from Lady Macbeth, started
to leave her to deploy his plans. The power of ...