How Does Shakespeare Present Macbeth Brave

Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a strong and brave character throughout the entire play, however, he takes great care to give the audience that information when he introduces Macbeth for the first time. This is to solidify in the audience’s minds that Macbeth is a valiant and loyal subject before he is exposed to the prophecy. This is also done to show that anyone can be corrupted and it is a choice that we have to make whether we are driven by it or if we can be patient enough to let the universe reward us on its own. Shakespeare uses Macbeth’s fate at the end of the play to show that even the most loyal and seemingly good men can turn to evil and commit the most sinful crimes if the outcome is enough in their favour.

The Captain describes Macbeth to ‘disdain fortune’ which informs the audience that Macbeth does not care for riches or glory, he is a good soldier because
He describes his sword as ‘brandished steel’ and that it ‘smoked’. This suggests that Macbeth did not hesitate to kill many of his enemies in battle, his steel was ‘brandished’ this means that Macbeth had it out and ready, he was not afraid or cowering, he was equipped and unafraid. By using the adjective ‘smoked’ it shows that the numerous times Macbeth struck his victim's flesh caused vapour and heat to rise from his sword. This foreshadows his willingness to kill later on in the play, the fact that his sword smoked with ‘bloody execution’ shows that Macbeth thought that somehow his killing was justified and that he was doing the right thing. This also foreshadows his arrogance later on as he rationalises his murders. He had a sense of purpose that made him drive his sword towards his goals; in the battle, it was towards defeating his enemies, later on, it is to prevent enemies from being made. But this consequently creates enemies for himself. Macbeth’s fear of his enemies led to him creating