Macbeth

[eligenzel]

After reading into the book a little bit, and after watching the movie today in class i have an idea on what Macbeth is like so far. In the beginning he is made out to be a brave soldier that fights valiantly. He seems very nice and content at he beginning but then after meeting the witches and hearing his fate he changes a little. What i mean by changes is that something overcomes him, and that is his want, he wants to be Thane of Cawdor and King. When he is named Thane of Cawdor he is astonished because just a few seconds ago the witches told him that was going to happen. So now he is Certain he will be named king. But when he is not is when his character changes and becomes darker inside, and that is when his wanting to kill for the throne comes into play. That is my though, i don't know if you would agree with that or not but that is my opinion. 

[eric linell]

Watching the movie today in class gave me a clearer visual of what Macbeth is like. He is known for his bravery and his ambition. He has changed drastically in a short amount of time. At the beginning, Macbeth is innocent but as the play progresses, Macbeth starts to turns power hungry and loses his sense of right and wrong. After the witches prophesy, he becomes obsessed with being king. My prediction is that Macbeth will turn into a killer and kill anyone in his path to being king.

[scapp...@portledge.org]

Thank you Eric and Eli for getting the conversation started.

Eli started by discussing how he has seen Macbeth change already in the play. Eric used events we have seen so far to speculate about future events.

If people want to post in this thread, they should continue this line of thought. Every post from here on out should discuss how Macbeth has changed or how he is going to change.

P.S. Including quotations will almost always make your posts stronger, and doing so will help prepare you for essays. If you can't think of anything to say, find a quote and talk about how it relates.

[asheeline]

I agree with Eric reading of Macbeth, when the witches first talk to him and tell him that he is the Thane of Cawdor cannot believe it but once other people tell him he changes completely. Macbeth says, "To be king stands not within the prospect of belief,/ No more than to be Cawdor." (1.3.71-73) This means that he doesn't believe that he possess the right to be the king or the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth goes on to say, "The Prince of Cumberland!/ That is a step/ On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,/ For in my way it lies."(1.4.50-53) This means that he must do something to Malcolm if he wishes to be King otherwise he must give up because  then he will never be king. These two quotes show how quickly someone can be changed bu power. Just like Eric said at first I pitched him as brave and ambitious but now I view him as power hungry and corrupt. 

#ppw 

[chriswang622]

I agree with you and also when the prediction by the first and second witch has been verified, the desire to power of Macbeth was deepened and he also think he has strong ability to be the king. From Duncan's words" Thou art so far before, That swiftest wing of recompense is slow.To overtake thee. "(page19 line16), I found that Duncan has dependence to Macbeth so it also let Macbeth believes that he is the king as it should be.

[rita1526106]

I quite agree with your opinion that Macbeth is a courageous soldier and an excellent warrior. However, I'm questioning the idea that whether Macbeth is completely innocent at the very beginning of play. Personally I think there is not enough evidence to prove that Macbeth only fight for his country without thinking about anything else. We could see his incredible ambitions of victory through his brave behavior "as cannons overcharged with double cracks" (page 5 line 37) so he may has some thoughts about power or authority but haven't thought about that carefully until three witches predict his fate. The appearance of three witches is definitely a significant turning point of Macbeth which provides him the chance to translate his potential ideas into action.

[rglax68]

After watching and reading Macbeth Today I have a better grasp on his character role and personality. Macbeth seemed to be humble to the witches prophesy but gave off a sense of evil or deviousness when he was not picked to become king. His monolog revealed sort of a dark side to himself. My prediction is that he mite kill the next in line for king. But that is just a thought and is not supported by much evidence. What do you think Macbeth will do next? 

[hmsheeline0524]

In the first two scene's of Act 1, Macbeth has no lines but is mentioned by the three witches and Duncan, Ross, and Captain talk about him. The witches do not talk about what they are going to do or say to Macbeth nut just mention that they are going to meet with him. The next time Macbeth is discussed is when Duncan and Captain are talking about him and Banquo and how they were frightened by a challenge. Captain says that they were "As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe(1.2.37-38)." The captain is explaining that they fought twice as hard as they did before. This is our first example in the book where it gives us any indication about Macbeth's character. Just from Captain's speech to Duncan, we see that Macbeth did not give up in his fight against the enemy. The first time we see Macbeth talk for himself is after the three witches talk to him and tell him that he is going to be King. As anyone would he wishes for the witches to "stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more(1.3.68)". He wishes to know more about his fate and how he becomes King.  As the scene continues we see Macbeth achieve the title of Thane of Coward as he was told by the witches. Now that he knows what they say must come true, there is nothing that is going to stop him from believing that he will become King very soon. My views on the characterization of Macbeth do not change yet but the perspective of different people allow me to see what type of person he is to other people, with other people, and by himself.  

[Zeyu Chen]

I agree with you that Macbeth is a brave soldier when he fought against enemies. But I think he didn't change into the darker side at all. Our impression to Macbeth changes because we find his disadvantages. He didn't know how to judge the characteristic of various people. He is really easily to accept others' persuasion and inspire his greed by blandishment. He is not in the dark side, but there are a group of people utilize his irresolution and to push him to corrupt.

[stephanie.goldstein22]

I agree with all of what Haya was saying.  When we see Macbeth in the play he gets told that he will become king.  His first reaction was a little taken back but then when he hears "Thane of Cowdor" again he knows that it must be true.  I think that when these witches said that, he knew it was going to happen so he wanted to start doing anything to make it happen.  I know that it was early in the book but I really believe that in one scene those lines really turned the direction of the book.  As the readers we know that hell become king so now its all about the journey to get there and I think thats Macbeths thought process.  When the captain spoke about how Macbeth didnt give up in his fight, that shows us right there that he fights for what he wants and or what he believes in.  I also think from that it shows directly that Macbeth will fight for the crown in any way that he can.