The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe topful
Of direst cruelty!


Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1606. It is a play about a general, Macbeth, who receives a prophecy from three witches that he would become the next King of Scotland. At the end of the play, Macbeth is presented to begin regretting his act of regicide.

First of all, when he hears about the army lead by Malcolm and Macduff has invaded his kingdom, Macbeth begins to lose hope in himself. He knows that he has lost control over his people. When he demands his servant to “bring me no more reports,” this suggests to the readers that he does not want to hear anymore news as he knows the news that he will receive will be not favourable to his current situation. He sarcastically says, “Let them fly all till Birnam Wood removes to Dunsainane” as he still hangs on the prophecy by the witches although it seems impossible. When he hears, “There is ten thousand” and “Geese, villain,” he knows that he has lost the battle. By clinging to the false hope, he lives in denial, a sign that he has given up the battle even though it has not begun. Perhaps, at this moment, Shakespeare shows that Macbeth finally regrets his action. He knows he is wrong but there is nothing else to do but to deny and ignore all the retributions that follow.

Secondly, by reminding the audience of what Macbeth has feared will happen if he were to commit the regicide at the beginning of the play, foretells to the readers that at the end, Macbeth will indeed lose everything. “This push will cheer me ever, or disseat me now,” shows to the readers that he is willing to risk it all-he will fight against Macduff and Malcolm, still clinging to the witches’ prophecy that he will not be harmed but at the same time, behaving fatalistic and knows that he will lose the throne. Macbeth reflects on his act and the price he has to pay. “My way of life is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf,” shows him like the withered leaves fall onto the ground. He laments that “which should accompany old age, as honor, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have,” shows that he will and has lost all. His friendship with Banquo, his love for Lady Macbeth, his admiration by King Duncan and the loyalty by Macduff and the rest of the troop- are all gone. Shakespeare shows the danger of going against the natural order, an act of royalty to King James 1 who was facing rebellion at that time.


Finally, when he hears that his beloved wife, Lady Macbeth, has fallen sick, he doesn’t show any worry but simply responds to the doctor, “Cure her of that,” this indicates his changed personality as he is prioritising his own sanity and war over his wife’s wellbeing. His character has changed due to the trauma and guilt stuck in him by his many wrongdoings. He was too overwhelmed by the worry and fear that he w0uld be attacked and overthroned just like he had killed King Duncan. He was not interested in the women that he loved so much anymore. ‘Raze out the written troubles of the brain ‘And with some sweet oblivious antidote and ‘Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff’ shows that Macbeth only cares about himself and not his kingdom that is under attack. He asked the doctor to ‘Minister a mind diseased’ and ‘purge it to a sound and pristine health’ both are requests impossible for the doctor to fill. Macbeth asked the wrong people to help him regain control of his kingdom.



In conclusion, Macbeth is presented to regret his actions. He has lost everything he has feared and the only ending he deserved was death. Shakespeare shows the danger of going against natural order by committing regicide. This is to warn the Jacobean audience the dire consequence of committing act.