Macbeth Characterisation

One of your key essays will be on character development. For this we need to breakdown Macbeth’s character into main features. He begins as a courageous warrior, trusted by others, loved by the king. He descends into ruthless killer, driven by “vaulting ambition”, obsessed with maintaining power at any cost.

The key stages in his descent are: Brave warrior Violent and ambitious character Decides against better judgement to kill Duncan Becomes increasingly fearful and paranoid Degenerates further into total corruption Morally and emotionally destroyed

How are these stages portrayed? What quotes can we use to prove this? Macbeth’s Moral Decline How are these stages portrayed? What quotes can we use to prove this?

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is an alternative character to discuss in an essay For this we need to breakdown her character into main features. From the outset she is a much stronger willed character than her husband with clear determination to succeed in their devilish quest and a greater resolve. She never wavers from their chose path nor doubts their ability to achieve their goal.

The key stages in her character development are: Her ambition and resolution Her deception and cunning Her presence of mind Her energy

Her Ambition and Resolution are apparent from the opening: "Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear; And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round." I. 5. 23-26. "Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdor! Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter." I. v. 52, 53. "He that's coming Must be provided for: and you shall put This night's great business into my dispatch." I. v. 64-66. Macbeth. "If we should fail? Lady M. We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking-place And we'll not fail." I. vii. 59-61. "Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised." I. 5. 13, 14. She knows her own strength of character and her influence over her husband She welcomes Macbeth home with her ambition on display. She also communicates that she has made plans already. She shows her determination which outweighs that of her husband. He has reservations about committing murder, but her solid resolve overpowers his misgivings.

Her Deception and Cunning. Lady Macbeth is aware that, if planned and executed well, she could plan and carry out the murder of Duncan, so that no suspicion would rest upon either Macbeth or herself. "leave all the rest to me," When she realises Duncan will be welcomed in to her home, her conduct demonstrates her skill in deception. “look likethe innocent flower But be the serpent under’t.”1.5.65-66 "All our service In every point twice done and then done double " I. 6. 14-18.