MACBETH"Macbeth" is one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays. The title character is a tragic figure who is easily deceived and often misunderstood. Macbeth is a complex character who shows us countless aspects of his personality throughout the play, transforming from an ambitious and noble man to a ruthless and bloodthirsty maniac. We can still sympathize with Macbeth after all the terrible crimes he commits because we see in all the details his susceptibility to his wife's ruthless ambitions and the witches' superstitious predictions. Even before we meet Macbeth we discover that he is a valiant man. Duncan, the king of Scotland, shows immense admiration and respect towards Macbeth. He states, “For brave Macbeth, well, he deserves that name.” Shakespeare begins the play with three witches on a moor. He knew that, at that time, people were fascinated by witches and witchcraft. This storyline would have captivated its audience right from the start. Shakespeare was also trying to ingratiate himself with the royals, as he knew that James I was interested in the supernatural and had even published a book in 1597 called "Demonology". The first sign of Macbeth's susceptibility is shown when he and Banquo encounter the witches. The witches predict that Macbeth and Banquo's descendants will become kings. Macbeth believes what the witches prophesied to him, revealing his naive side. We see this when he says, “remain ye imperfect orators.” We can see that Banquo is a hindrance to Macbeth because, unusually for the time, he does not believe in old witches. Banquo's response contrasts with Macbeth's and presents Macbeth in a bad light. Macbeth shows his certainty that he will become king when he says, "Glamis and Thane of Cawdor. The greatest is behind." Macbeth shows he can scheme when he says that Malcolm, King Duncan's son, "is one step ahead that I must fall, or leap, for he lies in my way." He feels he must take matters into his own hands and kill Malcolm since he is the heir to the throne. I feel like he has become jealous of Malcolm and sees him as an obstacle to overcome. He also understands that killing Malcolm is part of his quest to become king, almost as if it is his challenge.