Macbeth Is Not A Villain... :: essays research papers

MACBETH judgeThe proposition that &8220Macbeth is a villain in whom there is little to admire is an pathetic judgement of Macbeth&8217s character. Macbeth is not consciously and naturally malevolent, and there are objet darty aspects of his character and his downfall which serve to support this. Macbeth was not merely a victim of his own fulfills, but also of the human take aim and the extremely powerful forces of both his wife and fate. Throughout the play the hearing undoubtedly experiences feelings of horror at Macbeth, but we are also driven, through and through an understanding of his character, to admiration and sympathy. This would not be the case if Macbeth was a completely vile and reprehensible villain, and thus the tragedy of Shakespeare&8217s Macbeth is clear.Macbeth was certainly no villain to begin with. He is introduced to us as a man of bang-up honour, nobility and strength of morals. He is held in high take in by King Duncan, who addresses him as &8220va liant cousin, valued gentleman- so highly, in fact, that Macbeth is granted a promotion over Banquo (who seems to be of an extremely worthy and loyal character). hardly there is a fatal difference amongst Macbeth and Banquo- Macbeth&8217s ambition and lust for power. He is a man with an unsurpassable desire to advance himself. He himself identifies this quality while he contemplates an action that he is wholly repulsed by &8220I have no needle To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting Ambition which o&8217erleaps itself, And waterfall on th&8217 other. This &8220Vaulting Ambition is what makes Macbeth vulnerable and leads him to commit possibly the virtually vile deed he can imagine, setting him on a path of destruction. There is a temptation to use the fact that he could comprehend the vileness of his deed as a reason as to why we should condemn Macbeth as even worse a villain. But this is a simple view that does not take into account Macbeth&8217s later paroxysm or give credit to Shakespeare&8217s bearing to create a true &8211 to-form tragedy. Macbeth is not a ruthless, callous villain devoid of all pity and humanity, and there are several issues in the play that serve to illustrate this.Firstly, Macbeth had an extremely active conscience and acknowledgement of human moral values. His conscience put up a great deal of resistance to the prospect of murder, and after the act it continued to torment him until his death.