Macbeth :: English Literature Essays

MacbethMacbeth is presented as a mature man of definitely established character, successful in certain fields ofactivity and en contentmenting an enviable reputation. We essential notconclude, there, that both his volitions and actions arepredictable Macbeths character, like any other mans at agiven moment, is what is being made out of potentialitiesplus environment, and no one, not even Macbeth himself, canknow all his inordinate self-love whose actions arediscovered to be-and no doubt have been for a long time-determined mainly by an inordinate desire for some temporalor mutable good. Macbeth is actuated in his conduct mainly by aninordinate desire for worldly honors his delight liesprimarily in buying golden opinions from all sorts of people.But we must not, therefore, deny him an entirely humancomplexity of motives. For example, his fighting in Duncansservice is magnificent and courageous, and his evident joy init is traceable in art to the natural pleasure whichaccompanies the explosive expenditure of prodigious physicalenergy and the euphoria which follows. He also rejoices nodoubt in the success which crowns his efforts in struggle - andso on. He may even conceived of the proper motive whichshould energize back of his great deed The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself.But while he destroys the kings enemies, such motives workbut dimly at best and are obscured in his consciousness bymore vigorous urges. In the main, as we have said, his natureviolently demands rewards he fights valiantly in parade thathe may be reported in such terms a valours minion andBellonas bridegroom he values success because it bringsspectacular fame and new titles and royal favor heaped uponhim in public. Now so long as these mutable goods are at allcommensurate with his inordinate desires - and such is thecase, up until he covets the kingship - Macbeth remains anhonorable gentleman. He is not a criminal he has no criminaltendencies. But once permit his sel f-love to demand asatisfaction which cannot be honorably attained, and he islikely to grasp any dishonorable heart and soul to that end which maybe safely employed. In other words, Macbeth has much ofnatural good in him unimpaired environment has conspiredwith his nature to make him upright in all his dealings withthose about him. But moral goodness in him is undeveloped andindeed still rudimentary, for his voluntary acts are scarcelybrought into harmony with ultimate end. As he returns from winning battle, puffed up withself-love which demands ever-increasing recognition of hisgreatness, the demonic forces of evil-symbolized by the WeirdSisters-suggest to his inordinate imagination the splendidprospect of attaining now the greatest mutable good he hasever desired.