Fear In Macbeth

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Fear is one of man’s strongest yet complex emotion. Its effects could vastly differ, it either motives an individual, or suppresses them. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, fear becomes the mental emotion that dictates the character’s rise and fall. Macbeth rose to power and gained his new title as Thane of Cawdor, and as Duncan’s “peerless kinsman” (1.4.60) for his brave and bold nature. Upon the three witches’ intervention, and the announcement of Macbeth’s prophecies, the noble general gradually succumbs to his dark ambitions of attaining the crown. Throughout the play, he commits murders to whoever he possibly ‘thought’ would stand in his way. The aspect of fear driving the Macbeths to perform their crimes can be examined following the murder of …show more content…
It is evident by Shakespeare’s work that the characteristics that Banquo and Macbeth possess is contrasting – a foil. Fearing that Banquo's “noble nature” may realize as to how Macbeth has been crowned king, Macbeth deals with it by having Banquo and his son assassinated. "Thou played’st most foully for ’t." – Banquo (3.1.3). By having Banquo and his son Fleance killed, this removes the fears that Macbeth holds. It also dismisses the witches’ prophecy of having Banquo’s descendants becoming king which Macbeth despises because he bet on his life for his intentions by killing Duncan. A reader might argue that Banquo is the physical manifestation of Macbeth’s conscience. In essence, by killing his conscience, he also loses self-awareness for his actions, which is why Macbeth negligently raids Macduff’s family after the banquet. Macbeth’s lack of self-awareness causes his downfall because he fails to acknowledge the malicious actions he is doing, and because of this soon fails to recognize how soon the witches have manipulated him. Self-awareness is important to an individual because it helps them recognize their actions, positions, and helps them gain a better understanding of themselves (Haywood). When Macbeth loses his state of mind in front of the banquet, "Thou hast no speculation in those eyes / Which thou dost glare with" (3.4.100), this shows Macbeth’s fear for the consequences and gruesome actions he has sent to Banquo. He constantly denies the accusation, despite lacking knowledge that it is only an apparition conjured by him. Not only this, but also Lady Macbeth’s actions towards her guest. She lies about what is happening to her husband saying that it is only a brief fit. (3.3.) He degrades his title as king as shown by his madness, which could in turn display the future state of Scotland. “Free from our feasts and banquets
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