The Mastermind Behind Shakespeare's Macbeth
The Mastermind behind Macbeth
The need for control has been around for centuries, including the absolute monarchs in Europe. In Shakespeare’s drama, Macbeth, it provides us information about a man who strives to become king and does anything to do so. Macbeth, the man, eventually becomes king, but meets his demise soon after. The three witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, in the drama have a huge influence on Macbeth’s decisions because of their prophecies. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife, also has a hefty influence on Macbeth. The witches and Lady Macbeth have a huge influence on Macbeth’s actions; however, Macbeth has the most control over his actions and his fate.
The Weird Sisters have some influence onto Macbeth’s actions because
of their amazing prediction skills. They tell Macbeth that he will become “thane of Glamis”, “thane of Cawdor”, and “shalt be king hereafter!” (Document A). All of the following prophecies the Weird Sisters told came true one way or another, disregarding the prophecy about Banquo’s descendants becoming kings. During his rule in the new kingdom, Macbeth grew insane of the thought of Banquo’s children and travels back to the Weird Sisters. He demands, in a rudely manner, to know what would happen to him. After mixing up a potion in a cauldron and Macbeth drinking it, four apparitions appear. Nothing will happen till “Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill” and “none of woman born” nor “Macduff” shall harm him (Document D). Malcolm disguises his army in Birnam wood, Macduff was taken from his mother’s womb, not born, and beheads Macbeth. Everything the Weird Sisters said actually became true.
Lady Macbeth also has some influence onto Macbeth’s actions. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth about the prophecies and she begins to help him with his goal. When the party at their house ended and everyone was asleep, Macbeth was to go murder king Duncan. Macbeth is Duncan’s “kinsman”, “his subject”, and “his host”, so he doesn't want to do it (Document B). Lady Macbeth, however, tells him if he does it “then [he] [is] a man” (Document B). Lady Macbeth is calling Macbeth a coward and not a man because of Macbeth chickening out. After killing Duncan, Macbeth still has the murder weapons in his hands. Macbeth was supposed to put the daggers on the guards, but doesn’t, so Lady Macbeth wants “the daggers” to do it herself (Document C). Because of Lady Macbeth framing the guards, it made Macbeth less of a suspect. Lady Macbeth helps Macbeth make his decisions and is an influence to Macbeth’s actions.
Macbeth, however, has the most control over his actions. He didn’t have to go the Weird Sisters in the beginning of the drama, but still does so. Also, Macbeth kills Duncan, not his wife whose “hands are of [macbeth’s] colour” which is a reminder to Macbeth, that his hands are covered in Duncan’s blood (Document C). Lastly, the reason why Macduff kills Macbeth was for revenge. Macbeth had killed Macduff’s family. Macbeth wouldn’t have to “beware Macduff” if he hadn’t made Macduff so angry (Document D). Macbeth might have not killed Duncan if it wasn't for his wife or not murdering Macduff’s family after specifically being told to “beware Macduff” (Document D). These actions led to the demise of Macbeth’s own life.
Lady Macbeth and the Weird Sisters influence some of Macbeth’s actions, but Macbeth ultimately has all of the control.
The need for control has been around for centuries, including the absolute monarchs in Europe. In Shakespeare’s drama, Macbeth, it provides us information about a man who strives to become king and does anything to do so. Macbeth, the man, eventually becomes king, but meets his demise soon after. The three witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, in the drama have a huge influence on Macbeth’s decisions because of their prophecies. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife, also has a hefty influence on Macbeth. The witches and Lady Macbeth have a huge influence on Macbeth’s actions; however, Macbeth has the most control over his actions and his fate.
The Weird Sisters have some influence onto Macbeth’s actions because
of their amazing prediction skills. They tell Macbeth that he will become “thane of Glamis”, “thane of Cawdor”, and “shalt be king hereafter!” (Document A). All of the following prophecies the Weird Sisters told came true one way or another, disregarding the prophecy about Banquo’s descendants becoming kings. During his rule in the new kingdom, Macbeth grew insane of the thought of Banquo’s children and travels back to the Weird Sisters. He demands, in a rudely manner, to know what would happen to him. After mixing up a potion in a cauldron and Macbeth drinking it, four apparitions appear. Nothing will happen till “Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill” and “none of woman born” nor “Macduff” shall harm him (Document D). Malcolm disguises his army in Birnam wood, Macduff was taken from his mother’s womb, not born, and beheads Macbeth. Everything the Weird Sisters said actually became true.
Lady Macbeth also has some influence onto Macbeth’s actions. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth about the prophecies and she begins to help him with his goal. When the party at their house ended and everyone was asleep, Macbeth was to go murder king Duncan. Macbeth is Duncan’s “kinsman”, “his subject”, and “his host”, so he doesn't want to do it (Document B). Lady Macbeth, however, tells him if he does it “then [he] [is] a man” (Document B). Lady Macbeth is calling Macbeth a coward and not a man because of Macbeth chickening out. After killing Duncan, Macbeth still has the murder weapons in his hands. Macbeth was supposed to put the daggers on the guards, but doesn’t, so Lady Macbeth wants “the daggers” to do it herself (Document C). Because of Lady Macbeth framing the guards, it made Macbeth less of a suspect. Lady Macbeth helps Macbeth make his decisions and is an influence to Macbeth’s actions.
Macbeth, however, has the most control over his actions. He didn’t have to go the Weird Sisters in the beginning of the drama, but still does so. Also, Macbeth kills Duncan, not his wife whose “hands are of [macbeth’s] colour” which is a reminder to Macbeth, that his hands are covered in Duncan’s blood (Document C). Lastly, the reason why Macduff kills Macbeth was for revenge. Macbeth had killed Macduff’s family. Macbeth wouldn’t have to “beware Macduff” if he hadn’t made Macduff so angry (Document D). Macbeth might have not killed Duncan if it wasn't for his wife or not murdering Macduff’s family after specifically being told to “beware Macduff” (Document D). These actions led to the demise of Macbeth’s own life.
Lady Macbeth and the Weird Sisters influence some of Macbeth’s actions, but Macbeth ultimately has all of the control.