Impulsivity Despite Desire for Rationality in Macbeth Anonymous College

Throughout much of Macbeth, its titular protagonist is concerned with his future. He kills Duncan so that he can become king, he kills Banquo to protect his throne, and he goes to the witches to help him learn how to protect his life. Most of these actions, though, which he takes to preserve himself and his future, are reactionary and decided upon in remarkably short periods of time. The play presents Macbeth as a thoughtful, rational person; he can easily see both sides of the argument as to whether or not to kill Duncan and he seems to act in a rational manner. Yet, at the same time, the play presents him as impulsive. He decides to commit murder in an afternoon, and he kills one of his closest friends because he thinks that he might have some idea that Macbeth was the murderer of Duncan. Even when he consults the witches, which is a wise idea and shows a desire for forethought and premonition, the act of consultation is a reaction to seeing the ghost of Banquo. This presents a central problem in the play: should we view Macbeth as impulsive or careful? This is an extremely important question because it has implications on the causes of Macbeth’s eventual fall. If he was truly careful and thoughtful, then his fall from power...