The Struggle Between His Ambition and Sense of Right and Wrong

The Struggle Between His Ambition and Sense of Right and Wrong

It was once said that nothing is what it appears to be. This idea applies not only in everyday life but also in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Set in the early 1600s, Macbeth tells a story of a power-hungry noble and the struggle between his ambition and sense of right and wrong. Macbeth’s senses often deceive him into believing that appearances are the same as reality, a misunderstanding that brings about his downfall. This can be seen through the witches’ prophecies, the apparitions, and the final battle.
The witches come to play a very large part in this novel, having a major impression on Macbeth’s senses. Shortly after being informed of his new place in the royal cabinet, Macbeth tells Banquo, “Glamis, and thane of Cawdor!/The greatest is behind./ Thanks for your pains./ Do you not hope your children shall be kings,/ When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me/ Promised no less to them?” (1.3.124-28). After just a portion of the witches’ prophecies came true, Macbeth questions whether Banquo is as eager as he is about the future, when he asks if he “hope[s] your [his] children shall be kings”. This shows Macbeth’s willingness to put his faith and hope into three old ladies that he has just met. Because he is so interested in what is to come for him than what has actually happened, Macbeth over judges the liability and intentions of the witches, which in the end does not favor him. Later, Macbeth contemplates over the words of the witches: “This supernatural soliciting/ Cannot be ill; cannot be good: if ill,/ Why hath it given me earnest of success,/ Commencing in a truth?/ I am thane of Cawdor./ If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ Against the use of nature?” (1.3.140-47). At first, it appears to Macbeth that he will have to do some rash actions to become king, one of which is killing Malcom. “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair” perceives Macbeth’s insecurity...

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