Examples Of Sympathy For Macbeth

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William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” is a play which shows a flawed character worthy of the audience’s sympathy. The play follows the titular character Macbeth’s path of treachery after being informed by three witches that he would be the King in the future. Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, turn to means of murder and violence in order to achieve the titles of King and Queen of Scotland, by slaughtering anyone who stands in their path to the throne, including friends and innocent women and children, with such monstrous acts leading to both of their deaths. Despite this, Shakespeare successfully ensures that the audience feels sympathy toward the character of Macbeth in a number of ways.

The first time that the audience has feelings of sympathy for Macbeth is after he is first confronted by the witches that prophesise that he would be King. This is when Macbeth’s tragic flaw/hamarta, his ambition, is initially showcased. The audience recognise that Macbeth, being Shakespeare’s tragic hero, has a flaw that would ultimately lead to his demise and understand that the …show more content…
The two contradictory statements show Macbeth’s two different mind-sets. His tragic flaw is made clear through the way that he says that the witches’ words “cannot be ill,” cannot be bad, as becoming King of Scotland is what he always desired and is excited by the prospect of becoming King. However, Macbeth is also confused as he fully understands that there already is a King, King Duncan, who also has heirs to his throne. Thinking that it is the only way to become King, Macbeth’s mind immediately turns to murdering Duncan, a man that he has fought for and who trusts him as a soldier and ally, setting Macbeth on a long, murderous path leading to his
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