Macbeth Act 1~~ Character Profile

MACBETH

I have chosen to write about Macbeth because I feel that he is the most developed and complicated character in the play so far. His personality changes throughout Act 1 and I find his thoughts to be very intriguing. From the play, it is understood that Macbeth is a respected Scottish general of the King's army. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth has just won a bloody battle against a traitorous Macdonwald and a rebel army from Norway led by the Thane of Cawdor. This displays his courageous and valiant character and his loyalty to King Duncan. When he initially learns of the witches' prophecies, he is baffled and doubtful. For him, the thought of being the Thane of Cawdor and to be crowned King "Stands not within the prospect of belief" (I.iii.74). This shows that he has never had any thoughts of being King  or any thoughts alike, which proves he is originally a naive and righteous character. However, the witches plant an evil seed in his mind, which changes his perspective of his potential. When he is informed that he has indeed been made Thane of Cawdor, he is convinced that what the witches claim is true. Thus, what had seemed impossible before suddenly becomes a possibility. Nonetheless, Macbeth hesitates when he realizes he might have to murder Duncan to gain the crown and so he thinks "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir." (I.iii.143-144). This reveals that he would rather be elected peacefully as king than have to shed blood to earn the title. His desire for the crown is doused when he decides to temporarily forget about the matter as he heads over to Duncan's castle to accept his title. There, his determination is rekindled when he learns that Duncan's son, Malcolm is to be the future King. This goes against what the witches have told him and he thinks "The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'er leap, For in my way it lies." (I.iv.47-50). This shows that he becomes defensive of his right and immediately views Malcolm as a threat. 

After reading through the first act and carefully analyzing his character, I believe Macbeth to be a very decent and honourable man. He is loyal to his King, humble and indifferent to the use of violence. However, his weakness is that others easily influence him. In the play, the three witches influence him and cause him to see things in a new light and to think in a new way. So far, I have witnessed a few changes in Macbeth's character and I begin to see a new attribute creeping into his personality: greed. As I progress further into the play, it will be interesting to see how this trait will develop and affect his  future actions. 

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