Macbeth Character Analysis Essay

Macbeth Character Analysis William Shakespeare's Macbeth is arguably one of the greatest and most iconic plays ever written. It has been well known for several centuries and has inspired movies, books, songs, and even a superstition. The main character, for which the play was named, is a complex and fascinating character; this is part of what makes the play itself so seemingly immortal. Macbeth had many weaknesses, which eventually he let leave destruction in his wake. Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is a strong, fearless, heroic warrior. At least, he appears so at the beginning of the play. He is even described as “valiant” by the king himself (Act I, Scene IV) On the surface, everything about him seems to make him the quintessential leader. On the contrary, as the play goes on, it becomes apparent he is anything but quintessential.
One defining trait that is the foundation of all of his other flaws is that he is forcefully led by emotion. To illustrate, Macbeth says fairly early on in the play, “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erlops itself and falls on th' other.” (Act I, Scene VII) By this, Macbeth is stating outright that he is led purely by blind ambition and emotions, rather than logic or critical thinking. It is through this emotional thinking he becomes impatient, inconsistent, suspicious, prideful, and susceptible to manipulation. His wife, Lady Macbeth, knows of his lack of objectivity and uses it to slowly and deliberately weave her way into his mind. She convinces him that the root of his discontent lies in him not having what rightfully is his. She plays on his overestimation of self and impatience and shows him shortcuts to what he wants and what he believes he should