ISC 2025 English Literature Project: What contributes to Macbeth's tragedy? How would you describe Macbeth - a hero or a villain?

Macbeth is a tragedy written by English playwright William Shakespeare in 1606. It dramatizes the consequences of unchecked ambition. The protagonist of the play is a valiant Scottish general and the Thane of Glamis, Macbeth. Macbeth is celebrated as a war hero who had quelled the rebellion against the King. He is a brave general as well as a loyal subject of the Scottish Kingdom, but he is also ambitious by nature. On his way back to Forres, he meets three witches who prophesize to him that Macbeth will become the King of Scotland and Banquo will give birth to a line of Kings. The witches' words ignited the dormant ambition of Macbeth and under the persuasion of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth kills the King and takes the throne of Macbeth. He has become the King, but he cannot enjoy his powers as he is afraid of the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will become the next King, so Macbeth kills Banquo and all those who oppose his rule and soon becomes a tyrant. The bloodbath in the end leads to the death of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.

This play is the tragic story of Macbeth, which reveals how the flaws in character and supernatural influences transform a brave war hero into a tyrannical murderer and shows the destruction caused by ambition to own life as well as others. The plays also show that supernatural forces can influence mortals to a certain extent as seen in the play where Macbeth succumbs to his ambition. At the same time, Banquo prays for the "merciful powers" to restrain the cursed thoughts within him.

Macbeth as a War Hero

At the beginning of the play, we are informed that a battle is being fought against the rebels. Macbeth is sent to the battlefield by the King, to quell the rebellion against the King of Scotland. Before the arrival of Macbeth, the battle was at a stalemate, both sides could not overpower the opponent, but Macbeth's arrival changed the tide of war. He was described by the messengers as "brave" and "valour's minion" because he defied fate by turning the tables of battle with his sword, which smelled of fresh blood and forced the rebels to retreat. Then the Norwegian King, seeing the tired Macbeth from the previous battle, launched another assault. Ross described Macbeth as "Bellona's bridegroom" who confronted the King of Norway and defeated him. The King gets extremely pleased after hearing of Macbeth's victory and awards him the title of Thane of Cawdor. This act also introduces the three witches and how the major battle has attracted their attention, and they have set their sights on Macbeth. They make preparations to meet Macbeth on his way back to Forres. In the first act, we are introduced to the protagonist Macbeth and informed of his valiant and loyal character, remarkable generalship, and combat proficiency. We are also introduced to the three witches - the antagonist of the play and their supernatural powers.

Meeting with the Witches and its Impact

Macbeth, after defeating the rebels, is on his way to Duncan's castle and meets the three witches who greet him as the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor and the future King. Macbeth is startled, as pointed out by Banquo, by hearing the witches referring to him as a future King and it ignites the dormant ambition within him. This leads Macbeth to be absorbed in his thoughts, which is also noticed by Banquo who asks Macbeth "Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear things that do sound so fair." and mentions that Macbeth "seems rapt withal" in thoughts. Macbeth is suspicious of the witches' prediction and asks them the source of their intelligence, but the witches do not answer Macbeth and vanishes. Macbeth then expressed his desire for them to stay longer. Macbeth and Banquo then start discussing the prophecy when Ross and Angus arrive and announce that the King is happy with Macbeth's exploits in the battle and rewarded him with the title of Thane of Cawdor. Maceth expressed his joy to himself saying, "Glamis, and thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind." Banquo warns Macbeth but the desire inside Macbeth has already been ignited by the witches. Macbeth's weak moral character is further highlighted as Macbeth cannot label the witches' predictions as good or bad. "This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good." Macbeth is already imagining future events and the possible murders, "Present fears are less than horrible imaginings." After thinking for a long while, Macbeth casts aside his imagination and decides to leave the decision of making him the King or not upon fate. This shows although Macbeth is tempted, he still has some morals left as a human.

Lady Macbeth's Influence

Macbeth, in a letter, describes the strange happenings to Lady Macbeth and shares the news of acquiring the new title and hope of becoming the King. Lady Macbeth after reading the letter admits that Macbeth does not lack ambition but lacks the evil to achieve it. Lady Macbeth takes it upon herself to encourage Macbeth to achieve his ambitions with her words. Upon receiving the news that Duncan is arriving at their castle, Lady Macbeth decides to murder Duncan. She then calls the spirits to remove her womanly kindness and fill her with "direst cruelty." She also advises Macbeth to wear a disguise and not show his emotions on his face by looking like the "innocent flower but be the serpent under it."

Macbeth ponders Lady Macbeth's desire to murder Duncan and thinks about the consequences of killing the King. The morality of Macbeth is highlighted as he considers himself a kinsman and a loyal subject of Duncan. He is sceptical of Lady Macbeth's plans and tells her to not follow through with them. Lady Macbeth questions the manly hood of Macbeth and says she has already devised a plan to murder Duncan when he is asleep.

Macbeth's Guilt Conscience and fears

After killing Duncan, Macbeth becomes the King. He is not able to enjoy his powers as he is in constant fear of securing his position. Both sons of Duncan have escaped. The witches' prophecy of Banquo's descendants becoming king, and lords like Macduff who oppose his rule have left Macbeth to live constantly in fear and paranoia. To get himself rid of this feeling, he orders the murder of Banquo, and plants spies in the manor of the lords. He soon descends into tyranny. Macbeth, who had once been a morally upright person, has shed all of his humanity and now kills all who are threats to his rule.

Macbeth - a hero or a villain?

From the start of the play, it has been shown that Macbeth already had great ambitions and desires. The external and supernatural influence merely ignited those dormant traits of his characters. If Macbeth were truly a loyal subject of Duncan, he would never plot against his King, nor would he ever think of murdering him. As can be seen with Banquo. Both were promised royal hope for themselves or their children, but Banquo rejected the evil thoughts and stayed true to his principles whereas Macbeth, tempted by the witches and manipulated by Lady Macbeth gave in to his desires and ultimately met his end. His loss of human nature by the end of the play also shows his villainous nature as he kills all who are threats to his rule as well as innocents like Macduff's family.

The play shows in great detail how temptations can cause the downfall of even the greatest of the man. Shakespeare merges supernatural influences with human ambition. The play shows the corrupting allure of power and the terrifying consequences it can have. The sense of security is the greatest enemy of man as stated by Hecate. It is when we feel safe that are we at our weakest and that's how Macbeth was defeated when he believed that Birnam Woods couldn't come to Dunsinane Hills.