To What Extent Is Macbeth A Villain

764 Words4 Pages
As William Shakespeare says “I like not fair terms and a villain's mind”. In Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, the main character can be categorized as either a villain or a victim, although only one can define Macbeth. Therefore his countless murders, moral decline, and negative ambition show that Macbeth is in fact a villain. Firstly the countless murders by Macbeth and the men he hires shows that he is clearly a villain. One important murder that was very unnecessary was the murder of Duncan. His reason for killing Duncan was to withhold the position on the throne. Although becoming king did not have to be so violent. There are many other routes that could have been chosen instead of murder. Shortly after the murder Macbeth realizes that…show more content…
Macbeth does murder sleep, that knits up the ravelled sleave of care…”(II.ii 32-35 )These other routes would not have made him look so much like a villain. Another murder thats makes Macbeth look more like a villain is the killing on Banquo, his best friend. He feels that in the long run killing Duncan will not change much. he believes Banquo's descendants rather than his own will be chosen to wear the crown. Therefore Macbeth kills Banquo and attempts to kill Fleance, in an effort to eliminate the family that may one day take his position on the throne. This is a perfect example of what a villain would do. Eliminate anything or anyone that is a threat to him/her. One last murder would be on Macduff's wife and children. At this point macbeth has lost all rational thought. he becomes suspicious of Macduff

More about To What Extent Is Macbeth A Villain

Open Document