In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the character of Macbeth undergoes significant development over the course of the story. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a brave and respected Scottish general who has just won a major battle against the invading forces of the King of Norway. Despite his military success, however, Macbeth is not content with his current station in life and is easily swayed by the prophecies of three witches, who tell him that he will one day become Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland.
As the play progresses, Macbeth becomes increasingly ambitious and begins to plot the assassination of King Duncan, his current lord and the man who holds the throne. At this point in the play, Macbeth is torn between his loyalty to Duncan and his desire for power, and he struggles with feelings of guilt and remorse as he contemplates committing the ultimate act of treason.
Despite these misgivings, Macbeth ultimately succumbs to his ambition and murders Duncan while he is a guest in Macbeth's castle. From this point on, Macbeth becomes consumed by guilt and fear, and he becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic as he tries to cover up his crime and maintain his position as king.
As the play continues, Macbeth becomes more and more isolated and paranoid, and his relationships with those around him deteriorate. His wife, Lady Macbeth, becomes an accomplice in his crimes and helps him cover up the murder, but the strain of their deception takes a toll on her mental health and she eventually goes mad and takes her own life.
Ultimately, Macbeth's character development is one of tragic decline. He starts the play as a noble and respected warrior, but his ambition and desire for power lead him down a path of murder and deceit, causing him to become a paranoid and isolated figure. His actions have serious consequences for those around him, and he ultimately pays the price for his ambition when he is killed in battle at the end of the play.