Sc. 1, Lines 144–154: What does Macbeth’s speech reveal about his changing character? How does his speech develop a theme of the drama?

Answer 1

Macbeth is a tragic figure because while he was once a valiant, loyal subject of King Duncan, he succumbs to his ambition to assume the throne himself. His ambition or lust for power prompts him to plot to murder King Duncan and Duncan's descendants in line to the throne. Macbeth's power-lust eclipses any goodness and reason (caution) within him. He convinces himself (with the help of the witches) of the truth of a prophecy that the throne will ultimately be his. He believes that he need only act in order to realize his ascendancy to the throne. It is this presumption that he can realize his grand destiny if he will only act that seals his doom. Macbeth is actually not quite up to the task-at-hand (murder). He will require his queen, Lady Macbeth's, forceful guidance (She is cold-blooded and without conscience to speak of). Lady Macbeth's ambition and drive to see it through to fruition is the basis of her famous line ("Unsex me here"); Lady Macbeth acts with more forcefulness (a quality viewed as "manly" in Elizabethan times) in a way that Macbeth is incapable of. Macbeth seems to change during the course of the play; however, one can argue that while Macbeth has previously shown courage in battle, he is actually a complex character whose predominant trait is weakness. This weakness holds sway over the courage (as well as devotion to his king) Macbeth once displayed. He emerges as a an all-too-human figure -- a tool to be manipulated rather than one with the force of character or "spirit" capable of merging "purpose" (ambition) with action.

Answer 2

These lines serve as a marked departure from Macbeth's previous actions. From the word "time" until "sights," Macbeth speaks in an aside. A theatrical construct that dates from medieval times, an aside is a conversation between a character and an audience; thus, no other characters hear these words. After just receiving the apparitions' messages, ones which lead Macbeth to be overconfident, Macbeth learns that Macduff has left Scotland and "fled to England" (4.1.141).

The first reaction he shares with the members of the audience (and them alone) is general; "From this moment,/ The firstlings of my heart shall be/The firstlings of my hand" (4.4.144-6). Thus, he will act without thinking. His second reaction is specific. Fearful that Macduff is no longer faithful to Macbeth, Macbeth retaliates, pledging, "The castle of Macduff I will surprise,/Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword/His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line" (4.1.148-151). He is true to his word. In the next scene, Macbeth's murderers kill Macduff's whole family.

These murders mark a great contrast to previous ones. Now, he is killing innocent people who pose no direct threat to him. This backfires. Understandably enraged by their murders, Macduff vows to confront "this fiend of Scotland" within the distance of "[his] sword's length" (4.3.233-4). At the end of the play, he does just that, successfully avenging their deaths.

The overconfident outlook Macbeth adopts from here on out supports one of Shakespeare's many great themes in this tragedy. When you act without thinking, tragic consequences follow.