Download Macbeth is most certainly a sinister tale, and one in which

Analyse how an unexpected twist helped you better understand the writer’s
purpose.
Macbeth is most certainly a sinister tale, and one in which William Shakespeare
shows us the tragedy of a man’s failure to contain his fatal ambitious flaw, a tragedy
in which he loses everything. The unexpected twist of Macbeth’s downfall (when he
was originally such an admired man) to being one so despised is shown through
soliloquy and reactions from those around him. This unexpected downward plight
helped me to withhold a far deeper understanding of William Shakespeare’s aim- to
warn us of the dangers of ambition and for us to learn from Macbeth’s multiple
mistakes.
As early as Act 1, scene 2, we are introduced to Macbeth as “Brave Macbeth- well he
deserves that name”, emphasising how much those around him on the battlefield
admire him, and it is obvious that he has earnt this admiration through sheer grit and
determination. Even the King greets him with “O valiant Cousin!” elevating him to
the rank of family. For such a honourable King as Duncan to wholeheartedly trust him
shows just how Macbeth is held in such high regard by anyone and everyone. This is
the Macbeth who William Shakespeare suggests we admire and strive to be.
We soon see Macbeth become flustered at the thought of overtaking the throne, as it
arises from the witches’ prophecies. During Act 1, scene 3 he questions himself in
soliloquy, wondering “why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth
unfix my hair, and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?”
He is completely aware how dreadful this act of murder would be, to disrupt the
Elizabethan order of being by cutting it at the head- God’s messenger – Duncan.
Shakespeare still lets us admire a man who, although admittedly has thoughts of
genocide, is aware of his growing ambitions and is able to keep these in check.
Unfortunately this is the last time we see Macbeth in such a light, for unexpectedly we
see him cave into his ambition and slaughter the King, eventually sinking so low as to
murder his best friend and fellow nobleman’s entire family also, in cold blood.
Macbeth now comments that he is “in blood stepped so far, that returning were as
tedious as go o’er”, which shocks us to see such a change in attitude and morals. No
longer is Macbeth “brave” or “valiant”, but Malcolm describes him as “Black
Macbeth, devilish Macbeth” during act 4, scene 3. This unexpected twist of
Macbeth’s fall from grace emphasises the lesson Shakespeare aims to teach us- that
too much ambition is a dangerous thing. For how can we ever admire a man who kills
those around him in a pathetic attempt to gain false security? We can’t, and this
drastic contrast with Macbeth as the start forces us to question his now utter lack of
judgement and moral scruples.
Macbeth is depicted as a brave, honourable and trustworthy man ti start withhowever this angelic image is soon dashed as he fails to control his growing ambition
and becomes despised, hated and feared throughout his reign of terror. This
unexpected twist of character forces us to contemplate the horrors of ambition running
rampant, and allowed me to fully understand Shakespeare’s purpose and aim. For “not
in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils to top Macbeth”,
our horror at his disgrace and ultimate downfall, all a result of his own doing, remind
us to scrutinise our own “evils” and ensure that they will never ruin us as they did
Macbeth.