Macbeth Is Not A Villain... :: essays research papers

MACBETH ESSAYThe proposition that &8220Macbeth is a baddie in whom there is little to admire is an inadequate judgement of Macbeth&8217s character. Macbeth is non consciously and naturally malevolent, and there be many aspects of his character and his downfall which serve to support this. Macbeth was not nevertheless a victim of his own actions, besides also of the valet de chambre condition and the extremely powerful forces of both his wife and fate. Throughout the play the audience undoubtedly experiences feelings of horror at Macbeth, but we are also driven, through an understanding of his character, to admiration and sympathy. This would not be the case if Macbeth was a totally vile and reprehensible villain, and thus the tragedy of Shakespeare&8217s Macbeth is clear.Macbeth was sure as shooting no villain to begin with. He is introduced to us as a man of great honour, nobility and strength of morals. He is held in high go out by King Dun finish, who addresses him as &822 0valiant cousin, worthy gentleman- so highly, in fact, that Macbeth is granted a promotion over Banquo (who seems to be of an extremely worthy and loyal character). But there is a fatal difference between Macbeth and Banquo- Macbeth&8217s ambition and lust for power. He is a man with an unsurpassable desire to cash advance himself. He himself identifies this quality while he contemplates an action that he is wholly repulsed by &8220I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting Ambition which o&8217erleaps itself, And falls on th&8217 other. This &8220Vaulting Ambition is what makes Macbeth vulnerable and leads him to commit possibly the most vile deed he can imagine, setting him on a path of destruction. There is a temptation to use the fact that he could comprehend the vileness of his deed as a reason as to why we should condemn Macbeth as even worse a villain. But this is a simple view that does not take into bankers bill Macbeth&8217s later torment or give credit to Shakespeare&8217s intention to create a true &8211 to-form tragedy. Macbeth is not a ruthless, callous villain devoid of all pity and humanity, and there are several issues in the play that serve to illustrate this.Firstly, Macbeth had an extremely active conscience and recognition of human moral values. His conscience put up a great deal of resistance to the prospect of murder, and after the act it continued to torment him until his death.