Macbeth Essay RD

    It is in our nature as human beings to make mistakes. At times we allow the evil in the world to control us causing us to act foolishly, depriving us of our minds. However, this does not excuse us from the consequences of our actions, because in the end only we can suffer from the regret and guilt that comes with giving in to our temptations. As the play Macbeth progressed, the valiant soldier held in high regards by many became a paranoid, undeserving coward who gave into peer pressure and eventually paid the price for his actions. Macbeth by William Shakespeare expresses that we are the creators of our own destiny and like Macbeth we are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of our own doings.

    When first introduced to the main character, Macbeth, he is described as a brave and valiant soldier.

"For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name-
Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,"
(Act One, Scene 2, Lines 16-18)

After winning the war and defending King Duncan's country, Macbeth rightfully gained the respect of many. Through his hard work and loyalty to the king he was granted Thane of Cawdor. However, his wife was not satisfied with their current status and convinced Macbeth to kill Duncan.

"He's here on double trust:
First, I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed: then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself."
(Act One, Scene 7, Lines 12-16)

At first Macbeth was reluctant to follow through with the deed, but when Lady Macbeth reminded him of his temptations to become King he committed the evil crime. Nevertheless, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth made poor decisions and in turn were punished for their actions.

    Making decisions isn't always easy, but we are always accountable for every choice we make. When Macbeth decides to kill Duncan he can only blame himself for the guilt brought upon him, because although Lady Macbeth was pressuring him he could have easily said no whether his wife approved of it or not.

"Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dresses yourself? hath it slept since?
And wakes it no, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared"
(Act One, Scene 7, Lines 36-39)

Sadly, Macbeth decided to go down the wrong path, putting his destiny in jeopardy. Killing Duncan was just one part of the plan, but poor Macbeth was no where near prepared for what fate had in store for him.

"Whence is that knocking?
How is't with me, when every noise appals me?
What hands are here? ha! they pluck out mines eyes!
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red."
(Act Two, Scene 2, Lines 58-63)

Restless nights and hallucinations caused a worrisome Macbeth to lose his mind growing madder and madder as the days passed, but he had to have seen this coming, because there comes a price with every mistake we make and going insane was what being King costed him.

    However, some may say that Macbeth was not the only person responsible for the tragedy brought upon the royals of Scotland. Lady Macbeth also played a key role in convincing Macbeth to kill Duncan causing Macbeth to go insane.

"Alack! I am afraid they have awaked,
And 'tis not done: th'attempt and not the deed
Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready,
He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled
My father as he slept, I had done't."
(Act Two, Scene 2, Lines 9-13)

In the end, the blame all falls back on Macbeth because he had the choice to stand up for himself and not give in, but unfortunately he did not because he was too much of a coward to prove to Lady Macbeth how worthy he was.

"I have almost forgot the taste of fears:
The time has been, my senses would have cooled
To hear a night shriek, and my fell of hair
Would at a dismissal treatise rouse and stir
As life were in't: I have supped full with horrors;
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts,
Cannot once start me."
(Act Five, Scene 5, Lines 9-15)

    If you wanted something so badly would you do anything to get it, even if it meant losing the respect of others and possibly losing yourself. Shakespeare, uses Macbeth as a prime example of one who was so hard working and determined to become King, but chooses greed and foolishness; ultimately costing him his life. The play, Macbeth, teaches us that we are the creators of our own destinies and what we decide is always on our hands. In life we have to acknowledge that we are responsible for our actions, because the choices we make impact every moment of our lives from the moment we make them.