Question

Using these lines from Act I and Act IV, explain how the Macbeth described in the beginning of the play is different from the Macbeth who is speaking these lines in ACT IV. ACT I Soldier But all's too weak; For brave Macbeth,—well he deserves that name,— Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smok'd with bloody execution, Like valor's minion,Carv'd out his passage Till he fac'd the slave; And ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps, And fix'd his head upon our battlements. Duncan. O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! ACT IV Macbeth. Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits: The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the deed go with it: from this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. And even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; This deed I'll do before this purpose cool: But no more sights!—

Answer 1

Macbeth at the beginning of the play is described as being valiant and worthy. He executes an enemy to protect his country from a rebel. At the end of the play, Macbeth's actions are similar (his instinct to fight and kill), but his justification for those actions have changed drastically. He decides to kill Macduff's family even though they have done nothing wrong, which is very different from his earlier willingness to kill an enemy in defense.