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Macbeth Characters - Coggle Diagram
Macbeth Characters
Macbeth
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Before we meet Macbeth we are told that he is brave and fights passionately, even when the odds are against him
The king reinforces the idea calling him 'noble Macbeth' whic shows that he is held in high esteem by his offices and his king, a fact which makes his betrayal and downfall even more tragic.
He is the first character in a Shakespeare play to do something he knows is completely wrong, and to be deeply conflicted by it.
'...this even-handed justice commends th'ingredience of our poisoned chalice to our own lips' this directly acknowledges that the prize he seeks will have deadly consequences.
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Macbeth is driven by the desire to be perceived as manly by his wife. She knows this and manipulates him frequently: 'When though durst do it, then you were a man'
Initially, there seems to be a level of equality in their relationship. He begins his relationship by calling her his 'dearest partner in greatness'. However, over their relationship sours. When she dies, his only response is, 'She should have died hereafter'. He seems to begrudge her timing more than her death itself. It's possible he sees her as directly responsible for the events that have unfolded, and he begins to resent her for it.
Macbeth is initially scpetical of the witches supernatural prophecies. He presses them for further explanation, stating that, 'to be king stands not within the prospect of belief'
However, once the first of the prophecies comes true, he begins to fixate on the idea of becoming king. He realises the only way to do so would be to murder the king and claim the throne.
Mac beth feels guilt entertaining this thought. He shamefully ecourages the starts to 'hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires'
Throughout the story we're left uncertain as to whether Macbeth is hallucinating due to stress and guilt or is being plagued by supernatural ghosts.
Almost immediately after killing the king, he hears voices tell him he will 'sleep no more'.
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Macbeth sees his ghost. He becomes increasingly fixated upon the supernatural, and more reliant upon the witches, going to them again for further information.
His paranoia increases throughout, before eventually reaching the point when he arranges the murder of Banquo, his one-time friend.
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