Macbeth
The main character, Macbeth, after which the play is named, is deemed Thane of Cawdor in the beginning by the King of Scotland for his honorable acts in war. Soon after, however, he meets the three witches who reveal the prophecy that he is to be king. His ambitious and determined personality influence him to fulfill this destiny, but he follows a dark path to achieve it, first introduced by Macbeth saying to himself, "The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires; The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see" (1.5.48-53). His aspiration drives him to insanity and murder, and he drags his wife down with him. Eventually, his desperation to become king leads him to paranoia about the witches' prophecies, shown by a monologue of his: "...I pull in resolution, and begin To doubt the' equivocation of the fiend That lies like truth: 'Fear not, till Burnam Wood Do come to Dunsinane.' Arm, arm, and out! If this which he avouches does appear, There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. I 'gin to be aweary of the sun, And wish th' estate o' th' world were now undone. Ring the alarum bell! Blow wind, come wrack! At least we'll die with harness on our back" (5.5.42-52). They begin to give him reason to doubt, and his belief, stemming from his ambition, allows Macduff to defeat him.
Quotes
"The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires; The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see."
Macbeth's ambition shows through this quote within the second sentence, but more prominent is his willingness to indulge in his "black and deep desires." He is not afraid to "overleap" the obstacle that is the Prince of Cumberland, which comes as a result to his desperate ambition and determination.
Macbeth's ambition shows through this quote within the second sentence, but more prominent is his willingness to indulge in his "black and deep desires." He is not afraid to "overleap" the obstacle that is the Prince of Cumberland, which comes as a result to his desperate ambition and determination.
William Shakespeare
The English poet and playwright lived from 1564 to 1616, and is widely regarded as greatest writer in the English language. He is credited to about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several other poems. Macbeth is often considered his bloodiest work.