Every great story will centralize on one main individual, the protagonist, who will always strike as remarkable. The protagonist is certain to face their antagonist somewhere on the plotline that they must voyage. Along the way to whatever endeavors they are aspiring to achieve, they will additionally encounter various characters relatively minor in nature. Unlike the unforgettably significant main characters, these secondary characters and their impacts to the plot are often forgotten. However, in Shakespearean literature, Shakespeare often gives discreetly powerful roles to his secondary characters, and these characters can give strong influences to the main characters of the …show more content…
He then, for the first time, thinks of killing Duncan so that he may become king, hence his “suggestion / Whose horrid image doth unfix [his] hair / And make [his] seated heart knock at [his] ribs” (1.3.144-46). He begins to trust the witches’ prophecy more and more and he begins to do everything possible in order to ambitiously attain the title of king, including turning his thought of murdering the king into a reality. Macbeth’s prophecy of becoming king helps to advance the plot since it contributes to the killing of Duncan by Macbeth. It also reveals that Macbeth would kill his king even in such a dishonourable manner if it were for the sake of power. Furthermore, the second set of prophecies is also very significant to Macbeth’s decisions after he has become king and killed both Duncan and Banquo. Due to these prophecies, Macbeth is made overconfident with his newly gained power. Even as Macduff sets out with an army to kill him, Macbeth is still trusting in the witches that he will remain safe and well protected. This overconfidence was intended by the witches who were given the order by Hecate, the queen of …show more content…
As a result of Macbeth’s overconfidence instilled by the witches, he is consequently murdered by Macduff. Moreover, this prophecy reveals how overconfidence can lead to a misjudgment of power resulting in powerful repercussions. Altogether, the final murder of Macbeth by Macduff and the earlier killing of Duncan by Macbeth are advancements of the plot caused by the witches’ prophecies and their reveal of Macbeth’s ambition as well as the use of his power. Finally, the murderers are secondary characters who help to advance the plot by translating Macbeth’s evil plans into action via killing Banquo and Macduff’s family. Macbeth feels that Banquo is in the way of keeping his title as king. Macbeth worriedly states that, “To be thus, is nothing; / But to be safely thus: Our fears in Banquo / stick deep, and in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be feared” (3.1.52-55). Macbeth then proceeds to his meeting with the murderers where he convinces them that Banquo, as well as his son Fleance, must be killed. Macbeth explains to the murderers