The following is an analysis of Macbeth's Character:

 Brave - We learn of his physical prowess and bravery on the battlefield - "brave Macbeth," "valour's minion," "valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!," he is an eagle, a lion, "Bellona's bridegroom." These are the outward signs as seen by the Captain, Duncan and Ross, Act I, Scene II.

 Prone to Temptation - Yet in the following scene we observe his interest in the Witches' predictions. He is tempted - "Your children shall be Kings;" but temptation is not guilt. When Ross tell

s him he has been made Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth asks, "why do you dress me in borrowed robes?" Does this suggest that, at this stage, he wants no honors that are not rightfully his?

 Compassionate - Lady Macbeth, who knows him best of all people, says in soliloquy that he is "too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way." Does this suggest that he is compassionate? She says he is ambitious but "without the illness (the badness)" that should accompany ambition. Although this is a contrast to the picture of the bloody and ferocious warrior of whom we have been told in Act I, Scene II, yet it may still be true. When she says "what thou wouldst highly That wouldst thou holy" does she mean that he would not commit evil to achieve his ambition? Does this suggest nobility? Yet when she adds, "wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win," is there an indication of moral weakness in him? Is her determination to persuade him to the murder another circumstance that helps towards his downfall?

 Public Opinion - Is he concerned only with what the world thinks of him when he tells Lady Macbeth the they will "proceed no further in this business" because he is well thought of by others and does not wish to lose their good opinion? Is this vanity or fear? What do you think persuades him to agree to the deed? Is he afraid that Lady Macbeth will consider that he lacks manliness? Does he value her opinion of him so highly that he dare not lose it? Is this a moral weakness - an understandable one? Or is he afraid of the consequence of failure? Does his own addition to the murder plan - that the chamberlains be marked with blood and so be blamed for the murder - show that he is actively involved in the murder? His final words "I am settled, and bent up each corporal agent to this terrible feat" imply a total commitment to the murder. Is the dagger in Act II, Scene I, and figment of his imagination? If so, is it the result of a guilty conscience? Does this give the not!

 As a Husband - What is his relationship with Lady Macbeth at this time? Does his letter to her show a deep affection - an anxiety to share his good news - "my dearest partner of greatness?" Or might he be trying to impress her with his bravery and achievement - to prove her that he is a man? At he end of this scene (Act I, Scene v) he is not committal to her proposal - he says, "We shall speak further." In his soliloquy in Act I, Scene VII we see his dilemma. He is well aware of the reasons why he should not kill Duncan. Does he show himself to be a materialist as he foresees the consequences, in this life, of the murder? Is this the deter

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Approximate Word count = 1793
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)