In a comparison of the two characters, Thomas Whately says that unlike Richard III, Macbeth’s instincts are naturally ‘social, humane and family orientated’. Unlike another of Shakespeare’s villains, Richard III, who seeks power for power itself, Macbeth initially desires power only to gain regard and respect from his colleagues. In the second half of the play he is driven by violent matter-of-factness, as soon as a bloody thought comes into his head he acts on it, “Be it thought and done” (Act 4, Scene 1). Macbeth spends the first half of the play in moral contemplation, recoiling at the very thought of wrongdoing. William Richardson stated in 1743 that Macbeth begins the play as ‘valiant, dutiful to his sovereign, mild, gentle and ambitious without guilt’, and ends his journey as ‘false, disloyal, barbarous and vindictive’. Even as early as the 1700’s, critics were writing about Macbeth’s extraordinary change in character. By Act 5 the audience are left in bewilderment, questioning whether they are observing the same man that was described in Act 1 as “brave”, “honourable” and “too full of the milk of human kindness” (Act 1, Scene 5). Macbeth is a character that undergoes a dramatic transformation as the result of ambition and the pursuit of power. It is important to note that Macbeth’s drive to usurp the crown is shared with the audience after we hear the witches’ prophecies and therefore it is not clear whether he would have taken the same path if he hadn’t encountered the witches on the blasted heath. ![]() ![]() When Macbeth receives the witches prophecies he does “start and seem to fear” (Act 1, Scene 3) them but his instinct is to dismiss things that are dark and threatening. Macbeth first appears in Act 1, Scene 3 accompanied by his friend and comrade, Banquo, who clearly holds him in high regard. Before we meet Macbeth, we hear a report of him from a wounded captain, “For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name.” (Act 1, Scene 2), who details his prowess in battle. Macbeth is a general in the Scottish army and commences the play as the Thane of Glamis, a lord of the Scottish Court. Let not light see my black and deep desires.
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