Macbeth Paper

Submitted By mike209
Words: 1300
Pages: 6

June 5, 2015
English Paper

Importance of Decision Making in Macbeth The great poet Maya Angelou once said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” In life control is important and should not be taking away. Use control and decision making to great use because like Maya Angelou said even though you cannot control many events, you sure can reduce them. Control, decision making and influences are all important when reading
Macbeth by William
Shakespeare.Through the characterization of Macbeth, Shakespeare argues that life decisions define who people are because certain decisions open one’s eyes to what he/she truly are capable of, and others cause one to truly change to be someone different.
Through the characterization of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare argues that someone close to you can influence your decision making in a way you will regret and feel guilty about. Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth into pursuing a higher position than he has already been given therefore, changing Macbeth’s characterization. Readers know that Macbeth has done a good deed for Duncan which was rewarded with him becoming Thane of Thamis. When coming home with Duncan for a celebration, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to take Duncan’s position. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth, “ When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you are, you would Be so much more than the man…” (1.7.56­58). Lady
Macbeth is telling him that he was more of a “man” when he “durst” to commit the murder, and recognizes that Macbeth’s ambition to commit the murder and claim the throne are attractive and

manly to her. Lady Macbeth says this to Macbeth because Lady Macbeth wants him to kill
Duncan. Lady Macbeth says “man” several times and it tells readers that her definition of a man is to be strong, show no weakness or emotion and in this case to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth also recognizes that Macbeth was a man when he was willing to do what was necessary to become a bigger man, namely king, by committing the murder. Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth into doing something that he really did not want to at first. Later Lady Macbeth, uses her choice of words to deceive Macbeth that to murder Duncan will make him more of a man. After committing the supposedly “good deed” Macbeth cries out, “Still it cried ‘Sleep no more’ to all the house Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more” (2.2.54­57). When Macbeth repeats “Sleep no more”, he knows that the decision he made was not only wrong because he “cried” but because it has changed him. Macbeth “sleep no more”, when one does not sleep there are a lot of side effects to it. Some of the side effects are lack of sleep causes tiredness, serious health problems, causes depression or ages ones skin.
But in this case Macbeth will no longer “sleep” because he will be up all night reflecting because he is guilty of his actions. This quote demonstrates that Macbeth will no longer be the same man because after what he has done, he realizes his guilt. Lady Macbeth, was a huge reason in
Macbeth committing the crimes he committed. She manipulated Macbeth in many ways. Even considering all of that, Macbeth is most guilty because he and only he can control his actions. Shakespeare argues that certain decision making can cause one to truly change to be someone different. After Macbeth’s choice in killing Duncan there's a sudden change in Macbeth’s characterization. Macbeth begins to have more ambition in what he is trying to do and that is to become a tyrant. Ambition is a very valuable personality trait; and is the reason to an

individual’s success. However, immense ambition can be evident to be both dangerous and destructive, leading to the same