Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland who is told by three witches that he will become the King of Scotland. Macbeth is conflicted with this information because he knows that he would have to commit many crimes in order to take the throne. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, also encourages him to kill Duncan, the current king, in order to take the throne for themselves.
Macbeth struggles with his conscience and eventually kills Duncan out of fear that he will be caught. Macbeth is then crowned the king and his reign is full of violence and bloodshed as he tries to retain his power. Macbeth’s internal conflict is a result of his ambition and his conscience. Macbeth wants to be king, but he also knows that it will come at a high price. His conscience constantly reminds him of the crimes he has committed and the innocent people who have died because of him.
Macbeth’s internal conflict leads to his downfall and eventual death. Conflict is an important theme in Macbeth because it drives the plot and causes characters to make difficult decisions. Shakespeare uses conflict to create tension and suspense in the play. Macbeth is a fascinating character because he is both admirable and despicable. He is a tragic hero who is destroyed by his own ambition.
Examine how conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is depicted over the course of the play, focusing on how Shakespeare depicts the growth of their characters and the changing nature of their relationship. Throughout the play, Shakespeare addresses the topic of conflict in a number of ways. From internal conflicts among individuals and their deepest desires to debates involving characters and different viewpoints, as well as good vs evil struggle.
The Macbeths are one of the main sources of conflict in the play. This essay will explore the way Shakespeare presents their conflict and how it develops throughout the play.
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare, probably between 1603 and 1606. Macbeth is set in Scotland and follows the story of Macbeth, who is told by three witches that he will become King of Scotland. Macbeth then murders Duncan, the current King, to take his place. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, encourages him to commit these crimes and later starts to feel guilty about what they have done.
Macduff, a Scottish nobleman, learns about Macbeth’s crimes and leads a rebellion against Macbeth, who is eventually killed. The play ends with Macduff being crowned the new King of Scotland.
The main conflict in Macbeth is between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is a brave warrior and Lady Macbeth is a strong woman, but they both have secrets that they are hiding from each other. Macbeth is afraid that he is not capable of becoming King and Lady Macbeth is afraid that Macbeth will be killed in battle. They both want to become King and Queen, but they also want to protect each other. This creates tension between them and leads to a number of arguments.
One of the first conflicts between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth occurs in Act 1, Scene 5. Macbeth has just been told by the witches that he will become King and Lady Macbeth is trying to find out more about the prophecy. Macbeth is reluctant to tell her anything, but she eventually convinces him to tell her what the witches said.
Macbeth starts to doubt himself and asks Lady Macbeth if she thinks he is capable of becoming King. She tells him that he is “not without ambition, but heaven doth with us as we with torches do” (1.5.17-18). This means that she believes that he has the ambition to be King, but that it is up to God whether or not he will become King. Macbeth is reassured by her words and decides to kill Duncan.
In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth argue about whether or not Macbeth should kill Duncan. Macbeth is worried that Duncan might be protected by the gods, but Lady Macbeth tells him not to worry about that and to just do what needs to be done. This argument shows the increasing power that Lady Macbeth has over Macbeth and how she is starting to control him.
The conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reaches its peak in Act 3, Scene 4. Lady Macbeth has been sleepwalking and has been talking in her sleep about the murder of Duncan. Macbeth overhears her and is horrified. He starts to doubt himself and wonders if he is going mad. Lady Macbeth tries to convince him that she was just dreaming, but Macbeth is not convinced. This scene shows the breaking point in their relationship and how Macbeth no longer trusts Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth never fully recover from the argument in Act 3, Scene 4. In Act 5, Scene 1, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he is going to kill Banquo. Lady Macbeth is worried about what will happen if Macduff finds out, but Macbeth does not listen to her. This scene shows how their relationship has changed and how Macbeth is now making decisions without consulting Lady Macbeth.
The conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ends with Macbeth’s death. In Act 5, Scene 8, Macduff confronts Macbeth and eventually kills him. This scene shows the final confrontation between Macbeth and his enemies and how Lady Macbeth is not able to protect him.
When Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth claims that she can read what he wants to do in his face. This is her informing him that he was the one who originally came up with the idea so as to influence him into believing it was his idea.
Macbeth is hesitant but Lady Macbeth says that if he isn’t going to do it then she will and Macbeth backs down. When King Duncan arrives, Macduff is not present because he was “called away on urgent business. Macbeth greets King Duncan and Lady Macbeth does the same. Banquo asks Macbeth why Macduff was not there and Macbeth makes up an excuse. Banquo then asks about Macduff’s family and Macbeth lies again and says that they are all safe. This shows early signs of Macbeth’s guilt and his fear of getting caught.
Later, Macbeth has a vision of a bloody dagger and he is unsure whether to act on it or not. Lady Macbeth tells him that he is a coward and Macbeth decides to act on the vision. He kills King Duncan and his guards. Macduff returns to find out what happened and Macbeth murders him as well. This shows how Lady Macbeth’s words can push Macbeth to do terrible things.
Later, Macbeth is fighting against Macduff and Malcolm. He is losing and he knows it. Macduff tells him that he has killed innocent people and Macbeth replies “thou liest”. This shows that Macbeth still believes that he is in the right. He is willing to fight and die rather than admit that he has done wrong.