Fear and Cowardice in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Macbeth Fear and Cowardice William Shakespeares great tragedy, Macbeth is a play based more on character than deed. The play is a journey along the life of Macbeth, beginning at the apex of his career and following him to his demise. The cause of this sudden deterioration has been debated for centuries. Some attribute Macbeths quick degeneration to ambition. Although Macbeth is not wanting in ambition, this is not the essential element that causes his demise. It is fear that permeates Macbeth--utter cowardice drives his will into sinful acts resulting in regression. Cowardice, not ambition, is the main and underlying factor which causes Macbeth to kill Duncan, to assassinate Banquo and to seek the aid of the witches. The murder of Duncan is roused more by fearful confusion than by Macbeths vaulting ambition (I.vii.27). After hearing the witches prophetic greeting, Macbeth is lulled into a grand state of mind (I.iii.139). He ponders regicide, which shakes his single state of wor ldly concern that function / Is smotherd in surmise (I.iii.140-41). During the events heralding Duncans murder, Macbeth undergoes five changes of mind before deciding that they shall proceed no further in that business (I.vii.31). The hesitation to kill Duncan is the first symptom of Macbeths fearful confusion. What causes Macbeth to suddenly change his mind and kill Duncan? Macbeth is a weak man whose dearest partner in greatness is his wife (I.v.10). He values her opinion above all else. After rejecting the murder plan, Macbeth is the victim of a wedge of insults from Lady Macbeth Art thou afeard/ to be the same in thine own act and valour/ as thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that/ which thou esteemst the ornament of life,/ And live a coward in thine own esteem. (I.vii.39-43) His fear of her scorn augments the confusion within his heat-oppressed brain, causing him to hesitantly agree to the conspiracy (II.i.39). (Review MLA format and citations.) Macbeth, too rapt with in his own fear to maintain discerning reasoning, becomes a pawn of his fear-born confusion, leaving his mind no other option than killing Duncan. Had the murder been caused by ambition, Macbeth would not have been so hesitant in his actions. He would have had a clear death and could have seen a crown instead of the air-drawn dagger which was the very painting of his fear (III.iv.62-63). Therefore, Macbeths regression is spurred by a fearful frenzy, not the over-ambitious plotting of a rational man.