Macbeth Character Analysis Essay

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In The Tragedy of Macbeth, we see Macbeth as a man with conflicting morals through the crimes he commits. For example, in Macbeth's soliloquy before he kills Duncan we see him listing all the reasons why he should and should not kill him. In literature, as in life, our morals start to conflict with what we want. Shakespeare demonstrates this through his character, Macbeth, in The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth was the Thane of Cawdor but after he discovers that he is the heir to the throne, he will do whatever it takes to eliminate everything and everyone in this way. The decisions Macbeth makes along the way could lead to the end of his reign and possibly the end of Macbeth. Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a man with a moral conscience despite his…show more content…
After getting a prediction from the Weird Sisters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth devise a plan to kill King Duncan. As the time to kill Duncan approaches, Macbeth is seen wrestling with himself. “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/ Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,/ Who should against his murderer shut the door,/ Not bear the knife myself.” (1.7.13-16) Macbeth reveals one of his tragic flaws, fear, through this quote by showing his concerns for murdering Duncan. While struggling between his morals and what he wants, Macbeth starts listing reasons for why it would be wrong for him murder Duncan. Macbeth says that since he is one of Duncan’s subjects and cousin, he should always try and protect him. Macbeth also says that since he is his host he should not letting murders in nor should he be trying to murder him himself. After taking the throne, Macbeth goes on a killing rampage. Seeing that Banquo and his son, Fleance, are a threat to his reign, Macbeth quickly decides that he is going to after them as well. He hires three murderers and motivates them to kill
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