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Mark Rayo
Ms. Feek
H Adv Comp
4 December 2018

Was Macbeth a villain or a victim?

In William Shakespeare’s play ​Macbeth​, the protagonist Macbeth is dealt with a lot of

hard decisions. He is responsible for many events and killings as the play goes on. And is

constantly influenced by many different factors. It was a matter of luck and timing, Macbeth

could have had different outcomes. Lady Macbeth and the witches played an enormous roll on

Macbeth becoming evil and a victim of his fate.

No one can control supernatural things especially witches. Macbeth was just a man who

fought battles, little did he know he’d ever become a king. Early on in the play, the witches curse

Macbeth and that was when it became out of his control. “ All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee.thane

of candor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”( Act 1 Scene 3). After the prophecies

were read Macbeth’s fate was in the hands on the witches and their magic. Becoming king came

with the killings of those people that stood in the way. “It was done quickly: if th' assassination.

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success”(Act 1 scene 7). The

supernatural powers were going to do anything it took for Macbeth to become king. It was not

his choice to become king, it chose him.

Having someone in your ear constantly trying to manipulate your thoughts is what

Macbeth had to deal with. Lady Macbeth was stronger, ruthless and more heartless than
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Macbeth. She was someone who had full control over him even to the point where she was able

to influence him to kill Duncan.

“ Wouldst thou have that

Which thou esteem'sornament of life,

And live a coward in thine own esteem,

Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,

'Like the poor cat i' the adage?” (Act 1 scene 7).

She managed to get under his skin, which caused him to make an impulsive decision that he soon

regretted. “I am in blood Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as

tedious as go o'er” ( Act 3 Scene 4). He understood what he had done. He was filled with guilt

because he knew wasn't that type of person.

It easy to say that Macbeth had free will or that he could have easily overruled his wife.

No one expects the ones you love to hurt you, especially when you're most vulnerable. Macbeth

was a man that had been through many battles and tragic events. He loved his wife , she was

someone he trusted dearly. “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, And chastise with the valor

of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round Which fate and metaphysical aid doth

seeml"(Act 1 Scene 5). She was able to take advantage of him brainwashing him into making

decisions that would benefit her in the future. He thought he was doing the right thing all along.

Macbeth was an honorable man who put everything on the line risking his life for his

king. Then unfortunately made bad judgments that misrepresented his figure. The witches and
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their magic was out of his control. Lady Macbeth misled and betrayed him. Macbeth was a

victim of his fate and was influenced in becoming evil.

Work Cited

​ orrell, Ernest,
Shakespeare, William. ​Macbeth. My Perspectives British and World Literature, M

Elfrieda Hiebert, Kelly Gallagher and Jim Cummins, Pearson, 2017, 260-347.