Macbeth :: essays research papers

The Influence of External Forces  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were many external forces that influenced Macbeth on making his major decision. The decision was whether or no to kill King Duncan. These forces were the apparitions, the old witches, and Lady Macbeth. The apparitions influenced Macbeth by making him think he was invincible. The witches influenced Macbeth by telling him that he was going to become king. Lady Macbeth also influenced him by emasculating him. Although these factors influenced Macbeth, it was still his choice to act upon this decision. Still, no matter how hard Macbeth tried, he could not avoid the influence of what others had to say.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first external force that influenced Macbeth was the apparitions. The apparitions influenced Macbeth by making him think he was invincible. The first apparition said, â€Å"Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware Thane of Fife, dismiss me; enough.†(act 4, scene 1, lines 71-73) This meant that Macbeth, had to watch out for Macduff, the Thane of Fife . The second apparition said, â€Å"Be bloody, bold, and resolute, Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none born of woman shall harm Macbeth.†( act 4, scene 1, lines 78-81) This meant that no man that was born out of the female birth canal could harm Macbeth. This statement contradicts the one statement made by the first apparition. Macbeth thought that since Macduff was human that he had to have been born through the birth canal. Macbeth did not know that Macduff was born by c-section, he was untimely ripped. The third apparition said, â€Å"Be lion-mettled, proud and take no care of who chafes, who frets, or where conspires are: Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.†(Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 89-94) This means that Macbeth should be brave and proud. It also means that Macbeth will not be killed until the forest marches up to his castle. Macbeth thinks though that that was absurd. He never imagined the forest walking. The forest did walk though. It walked when Macduff and his associates camouflaged themselves with it, and attacked Macbeth’s castle. The apparitions made him feel like he could do anything. Then he decided to take out Duncan.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The witches also influenced Macbeth in killing King Duncan. They told Macbeth that he was going to become king. The first witch said, â€Å"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis.