William Shakespeare was a late 15th hundred English poet and playwright who is and was highly respected; this is because everyone can appreciate his work because he created a diverse range for many people of all ages and different cultures. However, his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the 19th century.
Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. Shakespeare was greatly supported by King James I, who greatly disapproved of witchcraft and all things supernatural. It is believed that the play 'Macbeth' was based around the King and his views on paranormal and possibly mystical happenings. Macbeth is a general in the army of King Duncan; originally Thane of Glamis then later becomes Thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. In the first act he crosses three witches who give him three prophecies. The first witch hails Macbeth as "Thane of Glamis", the second as "Thane of Cawdor", and the third proclaims that he shall "be King hereafter". Macbeth appears stunned and silent, so Banquo questions them. The witches inform Banquo that he will father a line of kings, though he himself will not be one. While the two men wonder at these pronouncements, the witches then vanish. After a series of events Macbeth visits the Three Witches once more. They conjure up three further warnings and prophecies, one of which is to "beware Macduff". Following on from this, he is also informed that, "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth", and he will "never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him". Since Macduff is in exile in England, Macbeth assumes that he is safe; so he kills everyone in Macduff's castle, including Macduff's wife and their young children.
In the final few scenes Macbeth boasts that he has no reason to fear Macduff, for he cannot be killed by any man born of woman. Macduff declares that he was "Untimely ripp'd", which means he was born by Caesarean section and was not "of woman born". Macbeth realizes that he has misinterpreted the witches' words, leading to the eventual beheading of Macbeth by Macduff.
In act 1 scene 3 Macbeth is a heroic, noble and valiant Scottish army general. We can tell this by the quote from Rosse, 'The King hath happily received, Macbeth, The news of thy success'. This shows us that the King is delighted with the way Macbeth fought during the war and has great admiration for him. After the war Macbeth and Banquo are approached by three witches who present them with an insight into their futures. 'Speak, if you can: - what are you?', seems to portray Macbeth as a very commanding and courageous leader. This is because when he is faced with these somewhat ugly old hags, he is unnerved and forward with questioning them. After hearing what the witches have to say Macbeth is unsettled by their predictions. This possibly suggests that he has thought of maybe becoming King, but soon steadies himself by saying, 'If chance will have me king, Chance may crown me, without my stir.' Perhaps he previously thought about murdering King Duncan, and it was almost as if they had read his mind and were trying to tempt him into doing so. This quote means that if he is expected to become king then it will happen naturally without him tampering with fate, even though Macbeth has convinced himself not to murder King Duncan. The thought of it however still lingers in the back of his mind.
Macbeth's opinion soon changes when he informs his wife of the news. She soon persuades him to invite King Duncan over, with a view to killing him in his sleep, then blame it on the porters. This illustrates that Macbeth's personality has now changed from a trustworthy and ambitious soldier to a crooked, shifty and good for nothing scoundrel. This is also evidence that Shakespeare is continually developing the character of Macbeth, and changing the way is which he is presented. The quote, 'I am sick at heart' demonstrates that Macbeth is becoming weak perhaps ill, or even backing down slightly. 'I have lived long enough: my way of life is fall'n into the sere' illustrates Macbeth finally giving up on everything. He says this once he realises that his castle is under siege by Macduff and the English army. This is also evidence that Shakespeare has developed Macbeth's character, as in Act 1 Scene 3, Macbeth is a strong willed, determined character, reluctant to accept any form of defeat. However, by Act 5 Scene 3, Macbeth has become a weak, disillusioned, indeterminate figure, seemingly willing to accept his demise.
In conclusion, it is clear to see that Shakespeare is continually presenting and developing the character of Macbeth throughout the play. Through the changes seen in his personality and actions, we are able to establish that, by Act 5 Scene 3, Macbeth's character has become disheartened and unclear, which shows a distinct change from that of Act 1 Scene 3. In my opinion, by the end of Act 5 Scene 3, Macbeth is a shadow of his former self.
