Act 1 - Character Profile

Macbeth is a powerful, loyal and brave man in Scotland. He has won a major battle for Scotland, which earns him the title of Thane of Cawdor as an honorable reward by King Duncan. This title gives him a high status in society. His ambition surfaces after the three witches tell him their prophecy that he will be king. He starts to believe in the prophecy when he becomes the Thane of Cawdor. Others easily lead his character, which is revealed when he is easily convinced by Lady Macbeth to kill King Duncan. Although he is a loyal and brave man, he is not a virtuous man. He kills Duncan, who trusted him and treated him well. Macbeth’s ambition makes him do whatever necessary to fulfill it.

I think Macbeth will play very important role in the play. He is the leading point of the play. His decisions can change Scotland easily since he will stop at nothing to fulfill his ambition. Because of his ambition, many people who used to support him will no longer support him. As a result, he can lose the throne to others easily. I think Macbeth had some honour, but ambition makes him blind to it. He will do just anything for his ambition. He lacks the ability to decide on a more virtuous path. He does not think through the consequence before he acts for the sake of his own glory. Because of his actions, it makes him a tyrant. I do not like him because of his actions. He could have had more of his own thought instead of listening to others, like the witches or Lady Macbeth, and just following what others tell him to do. If he had chosen another, more honest, path to the throne, he may have been a really powerful and great king. Macbeth’s characteristics teach us that the consequence of eagerness in fulfilling one’s own ambition can be powerful. It can lead us into the wrong path that can affect many innocent people. Therefore, we should think before we do.


Reference:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shakespearebt/5780949092/