Correspondence between Macbeth and the Teachings on the Nature of Virtue

Macbeth’s virtue is problematic because he initially seems courageous when on the attack in battle. Although in reality, he shows the excessive vice of boldness. He fails to manifest courageous endurance and patience in obtaining to the good. Macbeth finds himself often drifting into relentless and impatience.

Thomas Aquinas defines evil as “a privation of the good.” Macbeth constantly chooses apparent good rather than authentic good, as he is tempted by numerous of witches and also Lady Macbeth. Macbeth violates the natural law and suffers extrinsic and intrinsic punishment. It is commonplace among critics of Macbeth to point out that the eponymous hero’s first words echo a similarly antithetical line chanted by the witches in the opening scene of the play. Macbeth’s ‘‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’’ is noteworthy not only because it reiterates a paradoxical statement, but because it refers back to the very beginning of the play rather than to the sorceries which have just preceded Macbeth’s arrival.

I agree with Kranz statement “he fails to manifest courageous endurance and patience in obtaining to the good.” Macbeth finds himself constantly wanting to be in power. Macbeth is shown as a vigorous war hero. Then he assassinates a great King by the name of Duncan. He displays an image of weakness by blaming the murder on King Duncan’s two guards and even his own son. Lady Macbeth constantly informs Macbeth that he does not show the characteristics of a real man. She basically forces him into doing evil actions.

After Macbeth becomes King, he then becomes afraid of Banquo. So he orders three murderers to wait for him and murder both him and his son. Macbeth does not show the characteristics of a great King. He uses his authority for his weakness. Macbeth desires to be powerful by betraying others. He gains knowledge that he will be defeated by a man that is not born to a woman. Being arrogant, he believes that no one ever will defeat him. He soon send men out to murder Macduff and his family.

Not knowing King Duncan’s son and Macduff are creating an army that will defeat his. When the soldiers arrive to battle Macbeth and his army, he constantly says he will not be defeated by a man born to a woman. He sadly kills Siward’s youngest son in a battle. Afterward, Macduff steps up and murders Macbeth. Finally, Malcolm becomes the Great King. In conclusion, Macbeth does not exactly defeat others to gain power. He is basically afraid of his conscience and to be defeated by man. Macbeth shows the characteristics of a coward that lets others have an influence on him. For instance, the three witches informed him that he will become King soon.

Also, his wife, Lady Macbeth, influences him to kill King Duncan while he is visiting their palace for a celebration. Therefore, Macbeth fail to manifest courageous endurance and patience in obtaining to the good. He transforms from a war hero, thane of Glamis, to a murdering King of Scotland. The higher he rose on his road of power the more corrupt and evil he became. Which ignites the entire them of the play.

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