In The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare characters often could
not escape the consequences of their choices. The choices that some characters
made in the play put them in a position which they could not escape. In most of
these cases the character feels remorse for the choice they had made. The
characters that I will be concentrating on are Macbeth, Macduff, and Lady
Macbeth. These characters are the best examples of how characters could not
escape their choices in the play.
The actions of Macbeth during the play sometimes put him in a situation
which he could not escape. An example of this is when Macbeth murders Duncan.
After he does it he regrets it and is afraid to think about it. This is shown in
the quote: I am afraid to think what I've done; look on't again I dare not./(50-
51, Scene 2, Act 2) Another example is after Macbeth had Banquo killed and he
sees Banquo's ghost at the table.
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...
The sleepwalking Lady MacbethHe goes crazy and starts yelling at the ghost
and he realizes that he cannot change what he has done so he tries to ignore it.
That same scene Lady Macbeth says: Things without all remedy should be without
regard: what's done is done./(11-12, Scene 2, Act 3) These examples show how
Macbeth cannot escape the choices he made.
Macduff's allegiance to the country of Scotland leads to consequences
which he cannot change. Macduff's allegiance is shown when he left Scotland and
his family to go to England. There he met with Malcolm and started raising a
army to overthrow Macbeth.
The result of this is the slaughtering of Macduff's wife and children by
Macbeth's men.
He blames himself for their death and he knows he can do nothing to
change it. This is seen...