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Macbeth | Character Study of Macbeth: From "Brave Macbeth" to "Dead Butcher"

In this essay, J. R. Costa discusses the character of Macbeth, tracing his downward spiral from a brave, loyal soldier, to a bloody murderer. Includes the influence of the Witches and Lady Macbeth.

There can be no play without characters to tell the story. In Shakespeare's plays, though he borrowed many of his stories, the characters are his own inventions based on various sources. Although there is no mention anywhere in the text of the play of any of Macbeth's physical characteristics, such as height or hair and eye colour, we do see a psychological progression from 'brave Macbeth' (1.1.16) to 'dead butcher' (5.9.36). The playwright, through the actor playing the role, gives us an almost diagrammatic study in the destruction of a man and his reputation, as well as the rebirth of...

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