Macbeth's Character

It is extremely easy to make the right decision in an environment that allows or guides you to that decision. If all the conditions are set so that making the right decision is what you want to do and it benefits you in every way, then it’s not very hard to go with that decision. Doing what you’re supposed to do does not make you a good man, especially if all the factors direct you to make the right decision. Making the right choice that you’re normally supposed to is nothing to be praised for, but because of the significant number of temptations that cause you to make the wrong choice, people who make the right decisions are looked on as good people.
Macbeth was a loyal man to King Duncan and was admired by many. He was thought to be a good man because of his good deeds so far. However, after the murder of the King Duncan, he was no longer a good man. I believe that Macbeth was never a good guy to start with but this couldn’t be seen because Macbeth didn’t have to overcome great temptations and obstacles at that time. Once faced with a great temptation such as receiving the throne, Macbeth faltered greatly and made wrong choices. Macbeth couldn’t overcome the temptations and obstacles laid out for him. Therefore, I believe that Macbeth wasn’t a good man but instead a man who hadn’t been tested prior to the witches’ prophesies.
Banquo was presented with a similar situation as Macbeth but Banquo reacted differently to the prophesies than Macbeth. Macbeth kept his thoughts to himself and acted as if nothing had changed after he heard the prophesies whereas Banquo revealed to Macbeth that he was tempted by the prophesies. Banquo’s truthfulness reveals his nature. Banquo doesn’t commit heinous acts like Macbeth but instead does nothing. Macbeth hiding his thoughts because they’re bad shows the transition Macbeth goes through. First Macbeth’s thoughts go evil, then his mouth, and finally his actions. Banquo, as a contrasting character to Macbeth, shows that Macbeth didn’t have to make the choices he did.
The witches played a significant role in influencing Macbeth’s actions, but they are not to blame. Macbeth could have ignored their prophesies and let the events unfold without any inference. Macbeth wouldn’t have lost anything because of the great respect King Duncan and the rest of the nobleman had for Macbeth. Macbeth already had so much, but his greed for power and more led him to kill King Duncan. Macbeth’s actions are his own and none others. External factors largely influence his actions but in the end he is the one making the choices in his life. Going against the external factors that was leading him to kill Duncan may have been hard to go against, but it wasn’t impossible.
Macbeth chose to go down the road of evil. He knew what it meant to kill King Duncan, a guest at Macbeth’s house. He knew the deed he was doing was evil, but he did it anyway. Macbeth was presented with a situation. The choice he made in that situation revealed his character. Macbeth wasn’t a good guy in the beginning because from the time his evil thoughts started up to his death he never got back on the right path. Macbeth continued to walk down the dark path, going deeper and deeper into blood. He could have stepped back on the right path, but he never did.