Macbeth Act I EQ Response

EQ: How do we deal with conflicting elements within our personalities?

               Every day people face decisions where different elements of their personalities are fighting against one another. In Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, the main character Macbeth has conflicting ideas in his mind about the murder of King Duncan. He is very unsure of himself and can't seem to make a decision, with lots of thoughts in his head from both sides of the argument. Every person handles making these tough decisions differently, but a popular factor that often pushes the decision-maker to make their choice is someone else's persuasion. Lady Macbeth persuasivley speaks to Macbeth, convincing him to carry out the murder of The King. She shames him, asking him "Art thou afeard/ to be the same in thine own act and valour/ As though are in desire?", and Macbeth certainly starts believing her reasoning, for he does not want to be called a coward (I, i, 42-44). Like Macbeth, many people deal with conflicting elements in their personalities by listening to someone they trust; even though it is not necessarily always the right thing to do.