Macbeth Final

Thoughts pass through the mind on the perceptions of life, but when provoked by
another, a single thought that is dwelled on can lead to the consumption of the mind. When one
seeks to break the hierarchy of the outside world, not only is ones surroundings demolished, but
also the rule of ones self. Havoc ensues in William Shakespeares tragedy, Macbeth, as the
protagonist, Macbeth, begins to bide on the idea of being King of Scotland. Macbeths soliloquy
and asides, Lady Macbeths dramatic irony, equivocation and dichotomy, symbolism, character
foils, and reversals accentuate the perversion of unnatural rule that leads to complete obliteration
of the outside world and the intellectual hierarchy of the body.
Devoured by the thought of usurping King Duncan, Macbeth heads down the path
promised to him by three harbingers; knowing that the decisions he makes are not ones that
could be undone. As he continues to consider the prophecy spoken unto him, his thought process
is revealed through his soliloquies and asides in Act 1 scene 4 and 7, which depict the overthrow
of his psychological echelons. Macbeths aside after the King names Malcolm heir to the throne
sheds light on his inability to stop a single thought from engrossing his mind. While trying not to
water the seed the bodements planted in his mind, Macbeth, though believed to be a strong and
noble character, shows his incompetence to be true to King Duncan and to be not of royal
character. Denying temptation only lasts so long when it ebbs at Macbeths mind, constantly
consuming what humanity he has left in order to fill his darkest desire. Macbeths mind, having
already ensued in chaos, begins to question whether to choose to be loyal to the King, or commit
regicide. Through his soliloquy, Macbeth seems to hold what little reason he has left over his
mind as he weighs the consequences in his palm like a heavy dagger. Just by Macbeth

considering to kill a valiant king such as Duncan, he is not able to be of royal stature when he is
not of royal nature. Having no control over his thoughts, Macbeth cannot thus control a kingdom
when his own domain is shattered under a weightless thought that couldve passed through his
mind like any other. Thinking of doing something alone and thinking of doing something with
encouragement from another are two stark differences that empower one to make a decision that
they wouldnt have made on their own.
When on the idea of committing a vile act, what is a conspirer without an accomplice?
Lady Macbeth plays this role as her psychological hierarchy crumbles to ruins under the image
of becoming Queen of Scotland. Cunningly creating a plan with Macbeth to steal the throne,
dramatic irony lies in Lady Macbeths throat as she chooses her words carefully as the host of the
feast to King Duncans visit to Inverness. Gracious is the King as he suspects no harm to be done
to him, thus adding to the suspense of the Kings untimely death. The facade Lady Macbeth
wears in front of King Duncan shows the depth of her perversion into her desire to become
Queen of Scotland. Women are often casted to be weak characters used for mere distraction but,
Lady Macbeth, wicked as she becomes, is the catalyst to the idea that has too consumed her
mind. The Kings praise to his hosts upon his arrival become muddled to their ears as Macbeth
and Lady Macbeth can only hear coronation bells and see themselves in the Kings place. In their
anticipation to become royalty, it is forgotten that crowns only put weight on a kings head and
targets on their backs.
Equivocation exquisitely places a drop of uncertainty in Macbeths mindleaving his
already havoc-wreaking thoughts to run mad between his decision to follow through with his
plan to kill the King. The witches saying: Fair is foul and foul is fair. creates an ambiguous
foundation that Macbeth uses as the platform for his Kingdom. The prophecy told by the Three

Witches plague Macbeth with the uncertainty to believe their words or consider them untrue.
Dancing between the idea of fulfilling the prophecy or not, Macbeth knows that the decision
between heaven or hell is real. This dichotomy is clear as Macbeth chooses to have heaven on
Earth, even if for a little while, as he continues with his and his wifes plan to kill the King. The
cryptic equivocation and the definite dichotomy work together to confuse Macbeth between
making a real decision or finding that the prophecy itself is just ploy.
Chimes call ones attention back from the depths of their minds and a weight in ones
hand can be forgotten after being held for so long. Symbolism takes shape as a dagger and bell in
Act 2 scene 1 causing Macbeth to become lost in his thoughts and to provoke him back to
finish the immoral deed. The dagger that appears before Macbeths eyes symbolizes the extent of
the deed he is about to commit. Sucked into his thoughts that are flooded with guilt, Macbeth
sees the fault in his actions and wishes to leave them unfinished. Mind racing with reasons as to
not kill the king, the moment of his final decision is determined with the chime of the bell rung
by Lady Macbeth. Killing an enemy is a righteous act, however, killing a valiant king with the
same dagger he would use to kill a foe portrays that no one, good or bad, is going to get in the
way from fulfilling his desire. The bells chime is strong enough to call Macbeth from his
introspection and summon him to commit regicide. As the bell chimes for Macbeth to finish his
work, the bell also chimes for the death of the King Duncan, and the coronation of King
Macbeth.
Adrenaline rushes through veins creating a tingling feeling that excites the body. The
crowns that is within Macbeths and Lady Macbeths grasp taunts them as they make their
attempt to snatch it. The reversal of Lady Macbeths and Macbeths character traits before Act 5
depict Lady Macbeth to be the man in their relationship, even though Macbeth is the loyal and

strong warrior. Taking hold of the situation, clever Lady Macbeth knows that if one thing does
not fall into place, everything will all fall apart. Seemingly taking on male traits, she does not
flinch, does not quiver, nor does she change her final decision, whereas Macbeth dances between
the life and death of King Duncan. Standing her ground, Lady Macbeths leadership on the
ordeal separates herself from her husband. Playing a more submissive role, Macbeth is at the will
of his wifes demands as he shows his nervousness in Act 1 scene 7 when he leaves the feast to
question his fleeing humanity. As the denouement nears, the guilt and remorse that Lady
Macbeth didnt feel at first, slowly begins to terrorize her mind. Stained with the blood of an
innocent King, only then does she acquire submissive character traits. When Lady Macbeth
becomes delusional and is eaten by remorse, Macbeth become more assertive and actually fulfills
his name as a warrior. The reversal shows the extent of the drive for power and length one is
willing to go through to obtain it. It is also used to create balancewhen Macbeth shifts, Lady
Macbeth shifts. Though their traits switch, they are both still running from carrying the
responsibility of killing King Duncan, even if it weighs heavy on their conscience.
The role of being king is not meant for all though it is wanted by most. The character foil
between Macbeth and Malcolm give the reasons as to why Macbeth would not make a good
king, whereas Malcolm would. Malcolm knows his faults, and by knowing where the cracks in
his own kingdom lie, he is able to rule over his own domain. He carries his head upon his
shoulders with full recognition and knowledge of his psychological hierarchy. Having no wars
with himself, Malcolm is able to carry peace through himself and into the role of being King of
Scotland. Macbeths travesty of a psychological hierarchy knows not what it is to be at peace.
Constantly fighting with himself, he is unable to fulfill the role of a king when he has no grasp of
control over himself. Malcolm and Macbeth are the two examples of when a hierarchy is

destroyed and replenished. Under Macbeths rule, the kingdom resembles Macbeths broken self.
Chaos is rampant throughout the lands just as it is inside Macbeths headto become ruler of a
domain is create a mirror image of ones self. Royalty has no place in Macbeth and cannot thus
flow from his rule. Being conscious of ones self, Malcolm carries royal nature within his heart
and mind, and because of this, he is able to bring peace over the kingdom. Showcasing that only
some can be of royal stature, the foil establishes the royal nature between Macbeth and Malcolm.
To control the perversions within ones self is to rule with the balance between sin and
virtue. Seeds are constantly planted within our heads, though we are the ones who choose which
seeds to water. Thoughts can grow if given the attention and one must be careful with which seed
grows enough to bloom, for even the smallest bud can entrap ones mind. Weeds covering
themselves to be fruitful plants, the beds of our minds are consumed as we continue to water the
wrong seeds. Though we believe this plant to give us delicious fruit, the only thing give from our
efforts are unsavory crop. With time wasted, we have nothing to cling tofor in the end, even
the weed wilts.