Macbeth Degree - Book Report/Review Example

Even though his conscience troubles him when he plans the murder of his King, he turns into the "fiend of Scotland.", violent and merciless. The change takes place not only in the way he thinks but also in his actions from killing the king, to having Lady Macduff and her children murdered. The reasons for this can be attributed to the fact that Macbeth even though physically very strong was very weak mentally and it is this that causes the change and his downfall. Another reason for the change is his wife's ambition and also his own ambition.

Toward the end of the play, after his wife's death and when he realizes that he has been tricked by the prophecies of the witches he wishes for a normal life but realizes it is too late and fights on only to be slain. The prophecies of the witches have a major influence on Macbeth and also on the outcome of the play. Macbeth and Banquo (a General and Macbeth's friend), come across these three witches as they travel through the forest to the King's court in Forres after a battle. The First witch hails Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis.

This prophecy does not turn out to be very important to the outcome of the play nor does it bother Macbeth as he was already the Thane of Glamis then. The second witch hails Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor. . Thus the second prophecy turns out to be true and when the third witch tells Macbeth that he will one day become king, Macbeth is stunned and intrigued. He begins to think that if the second prophecy has come true then the prophecy of him becoming king will also come true. The witches have some prophecies for Banquo too.

They talk to him in riddles. They tell him that he will be "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater" and "Not so happy, yet much happier". They also tell him that even though he will not become a King he will be a father to the future King of Scotland. This prophecy is again important as Macbeth begins to fear Banquo as he thinks he will be in the way of his becoming a King. The witches are used by Shakespeare to create an atmosphere of confusion, chaos and conflict. The witches and their prophecies act like catalysts that set free the ambitions and evil desires of Macbeth.

They drive Macbeth to plot against King Duncan. As the play progresses one can see that the witches play a pivotal role in the play and are responsible for the turn of events. However even though the prophecy of the witches is powerful and makes Macbeth act the way he did, we cannot discount Macbeth's willingness to act and make the prophecy come true. Here it is interesting to compare the reactions of Macbeth and Banquo to the prophecies of the witches. At first Macbeth is credulous but says nothing.

After regaining composure he asks for an explanation from the witches but they do not respond and disappear. He wants to know how he is to be Thane of Cawdor when "The Thane of Cawdor lives/ A prosperous gentleman" Macbeth is impressed by the witches words and begins to believe in them when he learns that he has indeed become the Thane of Cawdor. Here he asks