"Why on earth does a revered general of the King's army, Macbeth, make decisions which destroy his life?" 600-800 words.
Set during the medieval ages of Scotland, where warfare and political rivalry was substantial, William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, explores the events that turns Macbeth, the protagonist, who's assured morals of a once revered and devoted general into a descending series of blemishing acts. He chooses treason and murder, knows them for what they are and is entirely aware he is doing evil. Evil is concentrated in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth who are greatly influenced by the prophecy of becoming king from the witches. Influenced by the good results, without the consequences, Lady Macbeth encourages her husband in his deceit ambitions, to what they are confident is an imminent future of royalty. The unheard consequences that would eventually destroy Macbeth's life, will not only affect himself, but the lives of the influenced and the innocent. .
Upon crossing roads with the witches and listening to their prophecies, Macbeth entertains the possibility he can become king. "If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in truth? I am thane of Cawdor, if good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs." Macbeth's wonders why he would be or even should want to be king, whether his rise in status from thane of Cawdor will be for the "ill" or "good". He withdraws the idea of becoming king, understanding his loyalty to a righteous king like Duncan. Trying to overcome a recognition of evil within himself, he is powerless to stand up to his wife's decent desires. "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself and falls on the other." Macbeth talks about his desire for more power, his ambitions that drives what he does.
