Describe how Macbeth's character changes throughout the play Macbeth?

In
Shakespeare's , beforekills , his thoughts are only on achieving the throne
for himself.  He gives no thought to the prediction bythat 's heirs shall be king.  Once he is
crowned, though, his own kingship is no longer enough.  His ambition has deepened and at that
point he wants to create a dynasty.  Thus, he orders the murder of , Banquo's son, for no other
reason than to eliminate Banquo's heirs.

Macbeth also begins to rely on the
witches more heavily after he kills Duncan and is crowned.  He even initiates contact and seeks
them out in Act. 4.1.  Following his visit to the witches, he becomes even more intent on
maintaining power, throwing almost what could be described as a tantrum when he can't get
, because Macduff has gone to England.  Macduff slights Macbeth by not attending his coronation
or his feast, and Macbeth pays him back by ordering the slaughter of Macduff's family.  This
overreaction demonstrates Macbeth's loss of perspective and control as the play
continues.

At the same time, the Macbeth of Act 5 is at once rash and
contemplative and philosophical.  One minute he childishly and maliciously berates a messenger,
and the next minute contemplates human existence and becomes nihilistic.  He psychologically
moves back and forth between believing the witches and knowing their predictions are too good to
be true, and between being willing to fight for his crown and die nobly, and knowing whatever he
does is meaningless anyway.