One of the first events of the play occurs when King Duncan's army, led by Macbeth and Banquo defeat the rebels. Macbeth fought ferociously, risking his own life to save his country. King Duncan praises "noble" Macbeth. Macbeth is seen as a strong soldier who is loyal and courageous, a truly heroic figure. To Duncan he was the "worthiest cousin"; to the wounded sergeant "Valour's minion"; to Banquo, "My noble partner". King Duncan cannot reward him enough for all he has done. "More is thy due than more than all can pay." Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor, but begins to be tempted by his own "vaulting ambition" to become king.

Another characteristic of Macbeth is

However, Macbeth begins to act alone, and Lady Macbeth loses her control over him. He follows his murder of Duncan with the quick murder of the two sleepy grooms. Macbeth becomes cruel and treacherous; the voice of conscience within him is gone; he no longer hesitates to follow courses of evil: "The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand." He does not need to be urged to the deed in planning the murder of Banquo and of Fleance. Macbeth fears Banquo because he recognises in him a moral courage, which he lacked - Banquo kept his "bosom franchised and allegiance clear". Macbeth also believed the prophecy that Banquo's descendants would become king. He had become obsessed with his own safety. Macbeth's imagination and insecurity is shown when the ghost of Banquo appeared at the banquet. His degradation carries him to the level where he vents his savage frenzy upon the innocent heads of "His [Macduff's] wife, his babes…" for no reason, but his savage determination to maintain the throne. These murders show the insecurity that was present in Macbeth.

Once the saviour of his country, a "valiant cousin!" a "worthy gentleman," Macbeth became the "dead butcher", allowing ambition to overcome the natural order of life.

Macbeth voluntarily and deliberately returns to the witches alone. This time he is more assertive towards them. He is not over awed and he demands to know if Banquo's descendants will become kings. The witches deliberately mislead Macbeth but he believes them, showing his overconfidence.

Later, Macbeth becomes distant and cold towards Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth can no longer control Macbeth, and

Some topics in this essay:
Lady Macbeth, Fleance Macbeth, Thane Cawdor, Macbeth Macbeth, , Duncan Macbeth, Macbeth Macbeth's, Macbeth Banquo, King Duncan, lady macbeth, King Duncan's, macbeth cruel, cruel treacherous, macbeth macbeth, king duncan, play macbeth, begins act, murder duncan, banquo's descendants, macbeth cruel treacherous, deed planning murder, heart firstlings, urged deed planning, planning murder banquo, hand urged deed,