The Only Character Responsible for the Tyranny of Macbeth

‘The only character responsible for the tyranny of Macbeth is the man himself. Discuss’ Macbeth is not the only person responsible for all the poorly made decisions and unjust ruling. This character based theme is shown extensively throughout the play ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare. During the play we are shown Macbeth as a tyrant ruler who is always killing people. Just at the start of the play we see Macbeth fighting against Norway and Ireland and at the end of the play Macbeth if fighting against Macduff and his army.

Everyone around him influenced on his behaviour and caused him to kill many innocent people. the witches caused him to search for power because of their prophecies. Lady Macbeth used Macbeth to become queen and to do everything to stay like that. Banquo did not speak even though he knew the truth. Malcolm had got defeated to his fears which caused him to flee. All the major characters contributed into Macbeth’s tyranny. The witches prophecies caused Macbeth to become a oppressor. Macbeth was a brave and courageous general before he met the witches which caused his life to change. For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name. ‘ After Macbeth learned that the first prophecy which was that he would become the ‘Thane of Cawdor,’ he believed in the witches more strongly. The other prophecy was that he shall ‘be king hereafter. ‘ Macbeth immediately begins to harbour ambitions to become king. After hearing what the witches said, he didn’t want to leave it as a chance but rather take the matters into his own hands, and he kills king Duncan and becomes the new king. But if he had never learned those prophecies from the witches than he wouldn’t have killed King Duncan.

He goes to the witches second time and learns three new prophecies. One of those prophecies it to be ‘beware of Macduff,’ which then causes Macbeth to attack Macduff’s castle and kill his wife and his ‘babes. ‘ Therefore the witches had a huge influence on Macbeth and the actions in which he took. Lady Macbeth provoked Macbeth to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth also had huge impact on Macbeth’s life and on his journey towards kingship. Macbeth was not thinking about killing his king, but Lady Macbeth defeated his thought by challenging his manlihood. Was the hope drunk where in you dress’d yourself? Hath it slept since? ‘ She easily persuades Macbeth into killing King Duncan. Also Lady Macbeth is the one that’s doing all the planning while Macbeth is the one implementing it. Lady Macbeth successfully convinces Macbeth into killing Banquo and his son Fleance because of Witches prophecy, ‘Thou shalt get kings. ‘ So it leaves Macbeth no choice but to kill his best friend. After Macbeth reaches the point of nihilist where he doesn’t care how many people he kills.

But Lady Macbeth feels the sense of guilt and goes crazy and sees imaginary bloodstains on her hands. ‘Out, damned spot! Out I say! ‘ She has great influence on decisions which Macbeth takes and easily convinces him. Banquo is also responsible for all the devastation caused by Macbeth. After Duncan is killed by Macbeth, Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth but does not confess this because he also believed in the witches prophecies regarding him which were, ‘Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. He chose to stay silent and watch Macbeth kill all those innocent people because he was selfish. He saw that Macbeth’s prophecies came true so he believed that his ones will become true. Macbeth became aware of this and added Banquo to his death list. But if Banquo had told the truth then he might’ve had been alive and would’ve saved the lives of innocent people. But he, just like Macbeth had fallen trap to his own self and payed it off with his life. But Banquo’s son Fleance managed to escap, ‘Fly, good Fleance. Banquo stayed quiet which caused Macbeth to rule as a murderer. King Duncan’s son’s Malcolm and Donalbain flee leaving the throne to Macbeth. After Malcolm and Donalbain learn about their fathers murder, they fear that their lives may be in danger,’There’s daggers in men’s smiles, the near in blood, the nearer in bloody. ‘ So they decide to flee, which Malcolm goes to England,’I’ll to England,’ and Donalbain goes to Ireland,’To Ireland. ‘ But because they run away, people believe that they were responsible for Duncan’s murder and rightfully give the throne to Macbeth.

If they had stayed then Malcolm would have been the king because he had been chosen as the heir by King Duncan. They cared more about their life than their own family and values. By saving their own lives they caused many other innocent people to die. In conclusion the play,’Macbeth,’ written by William Shakespeare is a tragedy which explores around Macbeth and his family and friends. Macbeth causes many tyranny events to occur but what causes to become a tyrant ruler is not only himself but also people around him.

People make decisions for him and controll his life to become a ruler who kills. The witches give him prophecies that he shall be king and he makes that come true by killing Duncan. In order to become King Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan and his best friend Banquo. In order for his son’s to become king, Banquo becomes quiet even though he knows that Macbeth killed Duncan. Lastly Malcolm and Donalbain flee to different countries leaving the kingship to Macbeth. People around Macbeth cause him to become unjust and tyrant ruler. MUSTAFA TELLI