Macbeth's Title As The Witch example essay topic

808 words
The Influence of External Forces There were many external forces that influenced Macbeth on making his major decision. The decision was whether or no to kill King Duncan. These forces were the apparitions, the old witches, and Lady Macbeth. The apparitions influenced Macbeth by making him think he was invincible. The witches influenced Macbeth by telling him that he was going to become king.

Lady Macbeth also influenced him by emasculating him. Although these factors influenced Macbeth, it was still his choice to act upon this decision. Still, no matter how hard Macbeth tried, he could not avoid the influence of what others had to say. The first external force that influenced Macbeth was the apparitions. The first apparition said, "Macbeth! Macbeth!

Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware Thane of Fife, dismiss me; enough". (act 4, scene 1, lines 71-73) This meant that Macbeth, had to watch out for Macduff, the Thane of Fife. The second apparition said, "Be bloody, bold, and resolute, Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none born of woman shall harm Macbeth". (act 4, scene 1, lines 78-81) This meant that no man that was born out of the female birth canal could harm Macbeth. This statement contradicts the one statement made by the first apparition. Macbeth thought that since Macduff was human that he had to have been born through the birth canal.

Macbeth did not know that Macduff was born by c-section, he was untimely ripped. The third apparition said, "Be lion-mettle d, proud and take no care of who chafes, who frets, or where conspires are: Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Bir nam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him". (Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 89-94) This means that Macbeth should be brave and proud. It also means that Macbeth will not be killed until the forest marches up to his castle. Macbeth thinks though that that was absurd. He never imagined the forest walking.

The forest did walk though. It walked when Macduff and his associates camouflaged themselves with it, and attacked Macbeth's castle. The apparitions made him feel like he could do anything. Then he decided to take out Duncan.

The witches also influenced Macbeth in killing King Duncan. They told Macbeth that he was going to become king. The first witch said, "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis". (Act 1, scene 3, lines 49-50) The Thane of Glamis was Macbeth's title as the witch was speaking to him. The second with then says, "All hail Macbeth!

Hail to thee, Thane of Candor". (Act 1, scene 3, lines 51-52). This was the title that Macbeth was to be bestowed upon Macbeth when he came back from battle. The third witch then said, "All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (Act 1, scene 3, lines 53-54) This meant that Macbeth would soon be king, but there was already Duncan. The witches aided Macbeth with his decision because they told him what was going to happen.

Macbeth knew that he was going to become king, so he decided to speed up the process. He did this by killing King Duncan, and since he was next in line, he would receive the title of king. The last person that influenced Macbeth was his wife, Lady Macbeth. She emasculated Macbeth.

She said, "And live a coward in thine own esteem, letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would", like the poor cat i' th " adage?" (Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 43-46) Lady Macbeth is calling Macbeth a coward. She is saying that she would do it. At first, Macbeth does not want to kill the king. One reason is because it's wrong, and the other reason is because the King is a guest in Macbeth's castle. This is what he said about Duncan being his guest. "Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself".

(Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 14-16) In the end Lady Macbeth's influence did lead to the murder of King Duncan. Her emasculating of Macbeth pushed him over the edge. In conclusion, one can not avoid the influence of what others have to say. This proves true for Macbeth. If not for these three forces, Macbeth would never have had the guts, nor the reason to kill King Duncan. Each one of these forces influenced Macbeth in their own way, but when all of them were put together, they pushed Macbeth over the edge.