Macbeth :: English Literature Essays

MacbethMacbeth is presented as a mature man of definitely realized character, successful in certain fields ofactivity and enjoying an enviable reputation. We must notconclude, there, that every last(predicate) his volitions and actions arepredictable Macbeths character, like any other mans at agiven moment, is what is being made come on of potentialitiesplus environment, and no one, not even Macbeth himself, canknow all his undue emptiness whose actions arediscovered to be-and no doubt have been for a long time-determined generally by an unjustified desire for some temporalor mutable sizeable. Macbeth is actuated in his conduct mainly by aninordinate desire for worldly honors his delight liesprimarily in buying roaring opinions from all sorts of people.But we must not, therefore, deny him an entirely humancomplexity of motives. For example, his fighting in Duncansservice is vivid and courageous, and his evident joy init is traceable in art to the natural frolic whichaccomp anies the explosive expenditure of prodigious physicalenergy and the euphoria which follows. He also rejoices nodoubt in the success which crowns his efforts in battle - andso on. He may even conceived of the square-toed motive whichshould energize back of his great deed The service and the obedience I owe, In doing it, pays itself.But while he destroys the kings enemies, such motives workbut dimly at best and are obscured in his consciousness bymore vigorous urges. In the main, as we have said, his natureviolently demands rewards he fights valiantly in order thathe may be reported in such terms a valours minion andBellonas bridegroom he values success because it bringsspectacular fame and new titles and royal favor heaped uponhim in public. this instant so long as these mutable goods are at allcommensurate with his inordinate desires - and such is thecase, up until he covets the kingship - Macbeth remains anhonorable gentleman. He is not a criminal he has no criminaltendencies. But once permit his self-love to demand asatisfaction which cannot be honorably attained, and he islikely to grasp any dishonorable means to that end which maybe safely employed. In other words, Macbeth has more ofnatural good in him unimpaired environment has conspiredwith his nature to make him ingenuous in all his dealings withthose about him. But moral excellence in him is undeveloped andindeed still rudimentary, for his voluntary acts are scarcelybrought into harmony with last-ditch end. As he returns from victorious battle, puffed up withself-love which demands ever-increasing recognition of hisgreatness, the goddamn forces of evil-symbolized by the WeirdSisters-suggest to his inordinate imagination the splendidprospect of attaining now the greatest mutable good he hasever desired.