He cannot accept that Banquo's descendants will become kings after him and sets out to alter the prediction by having Banquo and Fleance murdered. Even his courage, clearly reported at the start of the play, has deserted him as he terrorises and murders those around him.Īs part of Macbeth's ambition he becomes greedy and selfish. It is clear is that Macbeth does not have any of these virtues if anything he displays the absolute opposites. As part of the test Malcolm pretends that he has none of these qualities either. Malcolm lists the qualities of a good king or leader when he is testing Macduff's loyalty. Malcolm seems to strike a healthy balance and combines the good qualities of both men.Īs justice, verity, temp'rance, stableness, /īounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, /ĭevotion, patience, courage, fortitude - / Macbeth is strong but becomes a bullying dictator. Duncan is not a good king as although he is kind and generous, he is weak. In Macbeth, Shakespeare shows us three very different leaders. Had she not appeared at this point, the outcome might have been different. However, before Macbeth can complete the thought and turn away from the crime, he is interrupted by Lady Macbeth entering. As for the horse and rider, what is on the other side of the obstacle is unknown - it could, of course, be disaster. He reaches the conclusion that the only thing that is motivating him (his 'spur') is ambition which he compares to a horse leaping over an obstacle ('vaulting ambition'). Macbeth has been thinking about whether or not he should murder Duncan. Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself To prick the sides of my intent, but only / His wife shares this fatal flaw with him. He is driven by a need for power which eventually sets him on a path to his own destruction. Macbeth is basically a good man who goes wrong. In a tragic play, the fatal flaw refers to the basic mistake in the central character's personality which drives their actions.
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