Example Of Macbeth: From Hero To Villain Essay

In Shakespeare’s, Macbeth, Macbeth is heralded as a heroic figure for having defeated his sworn enemy. In so doing, he shows is loyalty for his King, Duncan. The King, even calls him valiant and gives Macbeth his own title. Prior to this the audience, or reader, is already aware of the presence of the witches, as well as foreshadowed events that will eventually lead to Macbeth’s undoing. However, after the initial defeat of the enemy, and still basking in the glow of the King’s approval, Macbeth feels like a hero.
Eventually the witches reveal Macbeth’s future to him, telling him he shall be king. He is happy and uneasy about the news. He has already received one title, which made him feel heroic and brave, but he is uncertain if another will have the same impact. Moreover, he understands he was given the first title because he did something and remains unsure if he will become king simply because the witches said so. Essentially he begins to believe he must secure his place as king much like he secured is place as Thane of Cawdor. As such, he sets his own fate in motion.
Macbeth reveals all to Lady Macbeth, but continues to wonder about the witch’s prophecy, as well as whether he could procure the title of king. He even wonders about killing the King’s heir. We see here a definitive switch in Macbeth’s character as he begins to develop from a hero to a villain. He defeated an enemy selflessly, and because it was what needed to be done. As such, he earned the lavish adulation of the King. After the witch’s prophecy, however, he begins to contemplate murder.
In the beginning, his ideas are arguably innocent, as he is only trying to incur his proper fate. He even ruminates on these murderous thoughts and decides to take no further action on them until Lady Macbeth insinuates she thinks less of him. These are feelings he cannot tolerate, and he allows her to construct a plan to murder Duncan. Macbeth recognizes the changes within him; he understands the death of his enemy as justified versus the murder he is about to perpetrate upon Duncan. His newfound villainy begins to drive him insane, perhaps because there is enough good left inside him to understand he is becoming a villain.
Despite understanding he is becoming a villain and being wholly dissatisfied with it, he proceeds. Macbeth murders Duncan. He refuses to relinquish the daggers he used to kill Duncan. It appears as an act of insane remorse at first until we see he is now a cold, murderous, calculated villain, orchestrating the murder of Banquo shortly after Duncan’s death. The murder of Duncan transforms Macbeth from an honest mercenary to a fearless, coldblooded killer. After having visited the witches, seeing Banquo’s ghost, and coming to the understanding that the kingship is his for the taking he realizes Lady Macbeth is not necessary for future, and even her death would not impact his actions or feelings. Essentially the struggle for power and the uncertainty of what is to come planted the seed of villainy. Lady Macbeth’s encouragement created a tumultuous environment for Macbeth’s villainy to thrive. After having murdered Duncan, the transformation was complete.