The story of Macbeth is an example of power at the expense of everything else, he begins the play as a strong character who is greatly admired, however as the play progresses Macbeth's personality and actions become more and more deceitful which eventually leads to his destruction. Following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth realises that the murder has put him into the control of demon forces which are the enemy of mankind. Macbeth recognises that the conscious acts which torture him essentially reduce him to a human individual. This is the inescapable bond that keeps him "pale" and at Act 3 Scene 2, he states:.
"Come seeling night.
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,.
And with thy bloody and invisible hand.
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond.
Which keeps me pale".
The above quote by Macbeth demonstrates that he imagines that the execution of more murderous deeds, (instigation of the murder of Banquo), will help him pursue his interest of personal safety and also destroy any personal humanity left within himself.
Immediately after the death of Duncan, Macbeth is disgusted with himself for murdering Duncan. This is shown by Macbeth when he states:.
"I have done the deed".
He says this instead of simply saying that he has murdered Duncan and is consequently almost trying to avoid the subject. This demonstrates that Macbeth is deeply ashamed of what he has done. Macbeth also feels that the killing of Duncan has cut him off from God, because before the murder the text is full of references to things being divine, but following the murder everything in the text becomes bleak and unholy. At this point in the play Macbeth does not feel he is a good man anymore and is feeling so awful that he feels that he can never be happy again. Additionally, it is considered that at this point in the play he is possibly feeling suicidal, this observation is demonstrated by his words:.
"if I had died but an hour before this chance, I had liv'd a blessed time".
