Free Essay

Character Is Defined by Behaviour

In:

Submitted By Shaquiera
Words 1172
Pages 5
Character is Defined by Behaviour "It's not your thoughts, but your attachment to your thoughts, that causes suffering" (Popular Quote). People harbour violent thoughts but never act on them, imagine committing acts of revenge, but choose not to behave in a violent way. They may have mean thoughts but choose to act with kindness. This suggests that how we choose to act defines character. Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a dramatic demonstration that proves it is not one's secret thoughts that determine character; it is one's behaviour. If a person submits to their thoughts then they can be destroyed. A person’s actions can have a negative impact ultimately leading to their demise. Macbeth is a character who validates this statement: he has a shallow persona and he is ambitious. However, he has few redeeming qualities to back him up: at the beginning he is portrayed as a heroic man which makes his decline so tragic. Macbeth is also easily manipulated. Macbeth’s character is defined by his negative behaviour which eventually results in his downfall; he acts on his insecurities and his ambition in a violent and ruthless way and chooses to abandon his morals. Many people in life do not have the ability to look beneath the surface of a situation: they have a shallow mindset which affects their ability to see the bigger picture. The character Macbeth is one of these people; he rarely considers the “bigger picture” when dealing with a complicated situation. When the witches reveal, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (I, i, 70), Macbeth is threatened by the prospect of Banquo’s bloodline gaining power: When first they [witches] put the name of king upon me And bade them speak to him. Then, prophet-like, They him father to a line of kings
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
And put a barren scepter in my grip,
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding (III, i, 63-69).
Macbeth decides he must kill Banquo and Fleance to prevent Banquo’s bloodline from ruling. He does not consider the possible impact of this action. Banquo’s death and Fleance’s escape creates a chain reaction of negative effects for Macbeth. Furthermore, Macbeth murders Macduff’s family, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise/ Seize upon Fife, give to th’edge o’ th’ sword/ His wife, his babies. And all unfortunate souls/ That trace him in his line” (IV, i, 171-174). Macbeth does not realize this operation will only anger Macduff, causing him to become vengeful. It is after these actions Macbeth begins to experience problems threatening his life and position as king. Macduff receives help from King Edward to dethrone Macbeth. King Edward sends an army in which a battle occurs concluding with the death of Macbeth. Macbeth’s superficial decisions define his character, simultaneously putting him in a vulnerable situation. In order to achieve great things in life a person needs to have the drive to succeed: they need ambition. From the very beginning of the play we notice Macbeth is an ambitious person: “For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)/ Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel/ Which smoked with bloody execution” (I, ii, 18-21). Macbeth is believed to be a heroic person worthy of ruling. On the other hand, as the play progresses the citizens of Scotland began to see he has the noble qualities to make a good leader but his fear of losing power drives his leadership, not his concern for his people. Throughout the play citizens “fled the snares of watchful tyranny” (V, viii, 80). The well-being of the entire country is affected when Macbeth is in power; people flee the country in order to find solace elsewhere. A popular quote “talent will get you in the door but character will keep you in the room” accurately describes Macbeth’s situation. His talent on the field got him noticed but as the play progresses people realize Macbeth lacks honorable attributes; he is a “dead butcher” (V, viii, 82). Macbeth never produced any ideas and plans that would further Scotland’s development; instead, his main focus is to maintain power. Macbeth has proven, through his choices, that he does not have the character needed to be a successful King. A person’s fantasies can sometimes make them susceptible to manipulation. On multiple occasions, Macbeth encounters a situation where his fantasies and insecurities make him vulnerable. Lady Macbeth uses Macbeth’s vulnerability to manipulate him, especially when he becomes doubtful about murdering King Duncan:
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both.
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you (I, vii, 56-62).
Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth about his masculinity. Macbeth is manipulated into killing King Duncan in order to prove himself to Lady Macbeth. However, Lady Macbeth is not the only character able to manipulate Macbeth; his strong beliefs in the supernatural forces are also a cause for manipulation by the witches. Macbeth believes so strongly in the apparitions that he is able to gain a false sense of security, “what need I fear of thee” (IV, i, 93). The witches apparitions tell Macbeth “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn/ The power of man, for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth” (IV, i, 90-93). With this advice in mind Macbeth willingly confronts Macduff, believing he could not be harmed. Macbeth does not realize that Macduff was not born from a woman’s womb: he was a C-section baby. Therefore, the apparition did not apply to Macduff. Macbeth’s arrogance allows Macduff to have the ability to kill him and gain control of Scotland. Macbeth’s beliefs hinder his ability to see clearly regarding a situation allowing him to be easily manipulated, which is detrimental to his character. The character of Macbeth demonstrates the notion that a person’s character is shown in their behavior. Macbeth exhibits a shallow demeanor, especially when considering life-altering actions. For example, when Macbeth is contemplating whether he should murder Banquo and Fleance, Macbeth does not consider the repercussions this action will have, thus creating a chain reaction of obstacles Macbeth will have to overcome. Macbeth is ambitious; however, he lacks the characteristics needed to effectively be king. This is a problem since he is in a position of power. Macbeth never once considers how he could improve Scotland, but rather how he could further improve his position of power. Finally the character of Macbeth is shown in how easily he is manipulated, essentially putting his life in jeopardy. Lady Macbeth and the witches have the capability to manipulate Macbeth based on his self-doubts and beliefs. Every person behaves differently, but it is the decisions of a person that truly dictates their character as a human.

Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009. Print

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

King Lear

...“Fairness is what justice really is”, a quote by former Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, Potter Stewart. Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm, whereas justice is defined as, behaviour or treatment according to what is morally right. In other words, mercy is the forgiveness and justice is the discipline, it is no question that both are important to uphold a stable society, and it is the same for the society within Shakespeare’s King Lear. Throughout the acts of the play, we see as the plot progressively gets darker and more depressing, illustrated by the cruel, chaos paired with the betrayal of the characters. There are however, a number of events that show...

Words: 707 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

How Does Arthur Miller Present Willy Loman

...portray the protagonist, Willy Loman. He juxtaposes the scenes of present with those of the characters past to provide insight into Willy’s behaviours and beliefs and thus reveal how Willy has been victimized by the American Dream. The concept of developing a protagonist’s character by depicting formative experiences is one that offers an excellent approach to analyzing Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman. By juxtaposing scenes of the protagonist’s present with scenes from Willy’s past, Miller provides insight for Willy’s behaviours and beliefs. Through lighting and sound techniques, Miller recreates significant moments in Willy’s life that shape him. Miller’s staging...

Words: 990 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Discipline and Management

...Management, and Behaviour and Misbehaviour Definitions Discipline denotes training or systematic instruction intended to produce a specific pattern of behaviour or character, especially training, which produces mental or moral character that adheres to a specific order or conduct. The term could also refer to the product of the training, which is controlled behaviour that results from self-control attained after disciplinary training. The term also denotes the act of punishing to enforce obedience or gain control (Marvin, 2014). Management is the coordination and organization of activities in a classroom in order to attain defined objectives and this involves controlling or dealing with students, processes and things in a manner that enables attainment of set goals and objectives (Marvin, 2014). Behaviour denotes observable activities or mannerisms in humans, which is an aggregate of responses to stimuli or input whether external and internal, voluntary of involuntary, covert or overt and conscious or subconscious. On the other hand, misbehaviour denotes conduct or actions that are incorrect, improper, inappropriate or unexpected of an individual based on their settings. Similarity of the Terms 1) Discipline and management are both control processes aimed at achieving specific objectives. On one hand, management deals with the process of controlling how things are done and on the other, discipline deals with the process of controlling the behaviour of individuals...

Words: 788 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Representation of Illegal Drugs on Television

...representation of illegal drugs assists in legitimating themes of drug use and how these representations have shifted throughout history. This analysis will explore the representation of illegal drug in Workaholics, 90210 and Arrow. The mass media are commonly seen to reflect and shape social attitudes and behaviours; therefore it is likely that representations of teen characters in film and television will assist in defining what normative behaviours and actions are for teen viewers (Stern 331). This contributes to the argument that television can influence and young viewers are using these representations to authenticate their behaviours according to the dominant values represented on television. The repetitive portrayal of drug use on television can be seen to glamorise drug use and provide an overabundance, and inaccurate representation of drugs (Long et al. 96). As it is more commonly discussed and glamorised, it becomes more likely that young people will associate substance use and alcohol with being cool or popular. They begin to believe that people who use illegal drugs are “more interesting and more independent people (Stern 332). Audiences become involved with characters and their storylines due to dominant ideological values and realism represented. The term realism does not mean that it reproduces reality, but that it assumes the audiences reality and then...

Words: 1174 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Rebellion In Just Lather And Nothing Else

...A rebel can be defined as an individual reluctant to listen or follow authority as well as, someone who supersedes normal morals of behaviour in society. They tend to make bold decisions without contemplating the future. There are three characters that established themselves as rebels, from the short story unit. Nick from ‘Let It Ride” by James K Hickel, the group of children from “Green Gulch” by Loren Eiseley, and Captain Torres from “Just Lather and Nothing Else” by Hernando Tellez. These characters refused to follow vital human morals, ethics and contradict political powers. Gambling carries a massive amount of thrill to humans that, it often results in rebellious behaviour in major areas of their lives. Many of these individuals, including...

Words: 793 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Existentialist Analysis of the Ice Storm

...Existentialist Analysis of The Ice Storm Jose Luis Coronado PHL366 Professor Schwebel November 3, 2015 Existentialist Analysis of The Ice Storm In Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm, structures of authority are broken down through the portrayal of the film’s main characters. In the absence of traditional authoritative sources, the characters are unable to make sense of their lives. Examples of how authoritative structures are broken down are presented through how the Hood’s and Carver’s deal with being a family, and how the social relationships of the characters in the film define how they interact with one another. The absence of structure within families is evident through the affair that Ben and Janey are having. In addition, their families contribute to the lack of family structure – Jim has been away from for work, Paul is away for school, and Wendy remains distant from her family because of her opposing views and sexual behaviour. While the children’s contribution to the breakdown of family structure can be justified as trying to make sense of the lack of parental structure in their life, the contribution made by their parents are justified by the unhappiness in their current situations. Thus, they can choose to do things that breakdown a family, such as: have an affair like Ben and Janey, or bury themselves in work like Jim. Kierkegaard’s social implication of ambiguity is parallel to the breakdown of structures of authority in the film. Where ‘ambiguity’ is seen as...

Words: 687 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Computer Games

...censored? Refer to one or more countries as examples. In recent years, computing games increasingly influence modern society especially teenagers and children. There are increasingly more game makers trying to design the best games that could gain rapid popularity and are favourable among gamers. Currently, computing games that show violence seem to be increasingly prevalent. For the purpose of this essay, ‘computing games’ can be defined as electronic entertainment that is designed for the society. This essay will argue that computing games showing violence should be censored. The reasons for the argument followed by these points; firstly, sensitivity to culture, secondly, the promoting brutality in behaviour and thoughts and lastly, Inculcation of prejudices on certain groups of people. The country in reference are China, Japan, South Korea, and United States of America (USA). Firstly, computing games showing violence should be censored for concerns on sensitivity of certain cultures. This is because some games are based on real-life characters. For example, Battlefield 4 which adopt the storyline of dethronement of Chinese Government has been censored in China and been regarded as “culture invasion” (Jiayi, 2013). Another example, Fallout 3 which is a game relating to nuclear issues has been tweaked to be released in Japan. In addition, there is a nuke launcher named as Fat Man which mimics the nuclear device that was using by USA to detonate over Nagasaki and Hiroshima...

Words: 1061 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Ob Mid Term

... I. Self-Evaluation benefits as it relates to leaders today. Self-leadership in this context should be defined as “a strategic and intuitive approach in influencing yourself in reaching your goal/vision via internal and external resources like Behaviour and mental Techniques. A better understand of oneself, is key for clear leadership style which will bring forth great improvement in relationship established and that in continuous basis Please imagine yourself as amateur Soccer player working hard to be an International successful Professional soccer player. This implies Backbone story knowledge In order to emulate a desired character to life, Questions need to be answered genuinely to uncover motivations and values beneath the surface of the Practice such as: Where do I come from, Who am I , what do I want and why, what happens if I don’t get it, how will I get it, what must I overcome,? As leaders, how often do we stop to ask these questions of ourselves? And what happens if we do? The result is gaining a better understanding and awareness of what drives us, like our values, what we tend to believe easily to and the reflection on others. Improvising Often players improvise variant of the technical plan given as a way to explore which options brings the desired character to life. It will show what works, and doesn’t work for them. They learn what feels right. Others improvise is to entertain the ground. And...

Words: 1571 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

What Signs of Mod Culture Illustrate a Dominance of Masculine and European Influence Seen Through the Creative Mediums of Photography, Music and Fashion?

...Illustrations Introduction Methodology Literature Review Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Historical and Cultural Contexts – Defining the 'Mod' and Youth Cultures in Post WWII Britain Americanisation – Music, Motives and Movement The Signs of Style iv v vi ix xi xi xvii xxi xxii xxiv xxvi xxviii xxix xxxii Interpretative Analysis Photography: Music: Fashion Conclusion Bibliography Appendix iii Abstract The purpose of this research study is to identify the signs of masculinity and European influence that dominated aspects of 'Modernist', or Mod, culture and lifestyle. The Mod is a British subculture which developed in the 1960's. The first stage of this study involves introducing the subcultural theories attributed to the Mod character and the basic roles of masculinity. The second stage introduces a proposed framework used as a methodology in interpreting these signs. A particular reference is the use of Roland Barthes 'Camera Lucida' (Barthes 1982). Following from this, a Literature review will discuss the role of key influences from European and American ideologies that impacted on the style and culture of the...

Words: 8441 - Pages: 34

Premium Essay

Explain Why Athletes Are Not Good Role Models Essay

...Before I criticize this passage, I would like to define a few terms. The first term I want to define is “character” and by definition it is defined to be “The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual”(Oxford University). The next term is “role model”, also by definition it is defined to be “A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated”(Oxford University). This passage “Sports Build Character” presents three arguments with two proving a larger conclusion and the larger argument helps the conclusion that professional athletes are not good role models because it isn't what we want our kids or society to learn. The first sub-argument is that athletes personal lives should be judged with their professional lives. The arguments defence was “this is an artificial distinction”, which is saying in simpler terms that this is ”a fake difference”. This...

Words: 931 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Ehtics

...09/09/2013 WHO ARE THEY? WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEIR ETHICAL POSITION? IN VITRO FERTILISATION ABORTION Four month after a single women got pregnant, having three IVF-treatments with donor sperm, she asks for an abortion. According to the women, she doesn’t need the foetus any longer. She made her point: she is fertile and is able to become pregnant. WHAT IS ETHICS? • Ethics may be defined as a set of moral principles  that govern one’s course of action. • Ethics and law are a system of conflict resolution. • The law is the minimum behavior standard.  Ethics Trends, Issues & WHAT IS ETHICS? • Ethics is philosophy of morality. • This is why it is sometimes referred to as ‘moral  philosophy.’ • The term ‘ethics’ comes from the Greek term ethos meaning character,  and we mean by the moral character of a person  whether he or she is a good or bad person. MORALITY Everyone has some morality of his or her own  ‐ what he  or she thinks is right and wrong ‐ and it sometimes  happens that people who others see as bad do not see  themselves as bad. Each nation has a conception of morality too,  a  conception which reflects the collective thinking of the  majority of the people of the nation.   Much of a nation’s morality is stated in laws which  prohibit immoral actions such as rape, robbery, or  murder. It is questionable whether everything which is illegal is  also immoral. GOOD EVIL We’re doing this for years It’s in my interest Hey! This is what...

Words: 1162 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Analysis of Mean Girls

...Reflective Analysis Caddy soon discovers that surviving in the African jungle is very similar to surviving the jungle that is her high school. On Caddy’s first day of school at a regular high school after being homeschooled her entire life she realizes how closely people’s behaviours resemble that of animals in the jungle. Many people can relate to the way she felt entering this new world as everyone has been in such a situation. Perhaps not to this extreme but I was once the new girl desperately trying to find my place in a new atmosphere. Caddy’s journey can also be related to recent recruits adapting to a new work environment, unknown to how things regularly go about. One of my jobs provided me with an outline of normal office habits; casual Fridays, on birthdays there are potlucks, the outline even provided me with some of the regular office language, short forms for certain documents, etc. This was a map to help me familiarize myself and integrate with greater ease. Unfortunately Caddy did not have this luxury, as many people don’t. She is forced to figure it out for herself. This hardship of adapting can easily lead us to not portraying our true selves to potentially avoid being shunned as an outsider. There are many stereotypes integrated into the movie. When Caddy is introduced as a new student from Africa the teacher welcomes an American black student instead of her. People easily believe her when she tells them that in Africa everyone can read Swedish, which portrays...

Words: 2010 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Alfred Hithcock Auteur

...shaking scenes as well as other themes like sexuality, roles of women and voyeurism. His work is highly stamped by thematic and stylistic devices and their consistency, personal aesthetic vision, inveterate themes and a defined view of the real world which attracts his audience. In his structure and content of the screenplay he is able to create moods which are sustained and shifted manipulate audience desires and fears; apply economy and wit and many other characteristics that make him a special auteur to be dealt on. Amazingly he is able to transcend the artistic challenges of studios and make highly personalized films that bear the stamp of his art personality rather than just sitting as a director. Hitchcock can be defined as an auteur through his films which is marked by his mastery of cinema techniques which is very unique and an exception from other film makers which is displayed in his use of camera viewpoints, elaborate editing and soundtrack to build some thematic instances such as suspense. Example of...

Words: 1368 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Identity in Wasp Factory and History Boys

...identity, such as the formation of identity and the importance of education during this stage, how gender plays into someone’s identity, and even aspects of religion. Neither Banks nor Bennett makes a conclusive statement on a definitive cause of the formation of identity, although it can be argued that each work infers a definitive influencer on identity, with both authors choosing a somewhat nurture over nature stance on personal growth although the balance of the formation of identity is differing between the character that is being discussed. For almost all characters within the works education is the most aspect of their identity in some way. For the boys in “The History Boys” education defines them in that they are all school boys, they are defined by what they do, this is similar for the teachers in the play also, this is contrasting to Frank in “The Wasp Factory”, who is ultimately defined not by his education, but specifically his lack thereof. The characters of both works are in some way changed by their identity, and specifically a focus can be placed on Frank and Dakin. Frank is educated in some ways by his father, and this ultimately influence much of his mannerisms, and Dakin although being taught by both Hector and Irwin, seems to primarily favour Irwin’s education to influence his own. For Frank, this influence is...

Words: 1362 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

My Personality Theory

...Personality I would approach personality from a behavioural point of view. Behaviour is influenced to a great deal by the environment that a person grows in. Many a times we are a product of what we interact with and it is this what shapes our character to attain that complete being with a particular trait that people are able to identify. The behaviours that one may pick in his/her process of growth may be influenced by various factors including such as culture, and family values among many others. The world provides a platform for people to exercise self-realization. We are all born into this world without any prior knowledge of how our encounter with the world will turn out to be. A person continues to gain age-wise, and the unconscious uniqueness hidden inside starts to sprout (Vernon par2). One comes to the realization that there is a need to be unique and pursue self interests. Each of us has goals to achieve and aspirations to live for and this forms the basis for one’s desire to pursue his/her uniqueness. Sometimes it comes out of necessity when one realizes that working as a group shields the ability to be outstanding. As people grow up, different factors come into play. We are exposed to different cultures, different neighbourhoods, different peers as well as different people to look up to (Vernon par7). This kind of set up where we grow up contributes a lot in the making of the content of our character. We therefore grow up to be the product of all that we encounter during...

Words: 1418 - Pages: 6