TP+Nicholas

Question: Is Macbeth corrupted at heart or was a victim of several unfortunate circumstances?

Thesis: Macbeth fell victim to several circumstances ultimately leading to his corruption.

1. The first of the three major circumstances Macbeth falls victim to is the witches' prediction. The third prediction that the witches make is that he will be king "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!"

2. The second of the circumstances is Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth, at first, skillfully pushes Macbeth to murder Duncan by mocking him "Was the hope drunk; Wherein you dressed yourself?", doubting his love for her "Such I account thy love," accusing him of cowardice "And live a coward". She finally convinced him by pointing out how easy it would be “When Duncan is asleep.” Macbeth loved his wife very much and valued her opinion, perhaps too much.

3. The last of the major circumstances is simply himself and what he is deep down. Macbeth has no control over the way he is. It is his vaulting ambition that makes him the way he is. This is why I consider it a circumstance where others may not. Macbeth is weak. He gave in to his evil side by even considering murdering Duncan. We can see him questioning himself in his aside in Act I scene 3 "Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image. Are less than horrible imaginings". He cannot seem to be able to control his thoughts. He lets his ambition to become king run a wild. The murder of Duncan is the first and biggest step in Macbeth's moral degradation. From here evil deeds become easier because he feels he has gone too far to turn around.