In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth himself is a very complex character. Starting from the very beginning of the play, he is introduced and we see him in different lights in terms of the qualities he holds all the time. Macbeth first comes up in the play in Act One, Scene Two. In this scene, a war is being displayed that is on the edge, Scotland or Ireland, either one can win. Macbeth’s valiant portion of the story starts here. The captain is describing the war to King Duncan of Scotland and mentions the bravery and courageousness of Macbeth. The captain explains “for brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valor’s minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave; which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements” (1.2.16-23).  Not only does this show that Macbeth is a great warrior, but also that he is patriotic and loyal to his land. That he will do anything to protect it, as seen by his ruthless and “cruel” nature (since he has not killed Macdonald in great and just light). In addition, we also get an idea that Macbeth is someone who is the perfect and classic example of a nobleman who carries himself with self-pride. When questioned by the King further on the war that continued afterward with the Norwegian soldiers on whether the captains, Banquo and Macbeth were afraid, the captain simply replies “Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. If I say sooth, I must report they were as cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha, I cannot tell— ” (1.2.35-41). This further reiterates the main characteristics of Macbeth, his bravery, and drive to do better each time, to beat himself again and again.  In fact, as we all may have heard, eventually, it is this same blind ambition that leads this man of glory to his fatal end.

As we read on to the next scenes, we soon come to the realization that there is much more in-depth to be discovered about Macbeth as his character and his emotions that urge him to make choices and act out actions are all very entangled.