Corruption Of Power In Macbeth

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This famous phrase written by Lord Acton holds true in the famous play Macbeth written by Shakespeare in the early 17th century. Throughout this play, we see the change of a man. A man that goes from being a loyal and kind soldier to a ruthless and heartless tyrant of a king. Throughout the play, we see an example of this transformation through the relationship between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth.

At the beginning of the play, three witch sisters told him that he would become Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. Right after they told him about the prophecies, Macbeth was told that he did in fact become Thane of Cawdor. Since that prophecy came true, he began to wonder if the prophecy about him becoming King would come true. When Lady Macbeth found out about the prophecies, Lady Macbeth convinced and influenced Macbeth to kill the King so that the prophecy could come true. Macbeth was reluctant to kill the king, but that reluctance was soon overcome by the sheer determination for power that grew inside of him.

To begin, Macbeth demonstrates desperate and ruthless choices as he reaches for power which doesn’t belong to him. For example, when Macbeth is talking to himself about what he should do about the second part of the prophecy. Banquo, one of Macbeth's friends, also received a prophecy that his children would be their heirs to the king. Wanting to keep the power of the throne he says “Given to the common enemy of man/To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings./Rather than so, come fate into the list,/And champion me to th’ utterance”(3.1.74-77). Macbeth is not willing to take any chances when it comes to keeping the power he has been handed.

This tells us that for his protection and continued power he would do anything no matter how evil. It is not long after this that he kills Macduff’s innocent family for he felt Macduff was a danger to his power. Therefore, desperation for power leads to the development of an askew moral compass that is demonstrated by Macbeth and Napoleon’s oppressive rule. Not only do they now live in constant vigilance for threats, they will resort to anything to rid themselves of said

A position of power is the ultimate indicator of success. Everyone seeks it, some more than others, and yet so few succeed in obtaining it. Those who do are often the most ruthless and evil of characters who are the least suitable for such a gift, but through their perseverance they obtain it nonetheless. Lady Macbeth is one such character. She may be unworthy but through her ruthless and adamant attitude she commits herself entirely to the sole purpose of possessing power.

Macbeth has fully evolved to a guilty and evil character, who only seizes harm on others. As Shakespeare evidently demonstrates courage in the play, Macbeth stands alone, ¨But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live, That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder.¨(4.1.85) As Macbeth is receiving his prophecies, he comes to the realization that if he kills Macduff he will be able to sleep at night.

1.3.52-54 As the first two prophecies become true for Macbeth, it gives him even more ambition to become king. This eventually leads him to kill King Duncan, making him his ambition dangerous. No matter how his ambitions started, they spiral Macbeth into a very dangerous and impulsive person throughout the remainder of the

In the play The Tragedy of Macbeth written by William Shakespeare a character Macbeth was told he was going to be king and he did everything in his power to make it happen. Macbeth tries to control the future by listening to lady macbeth and takes matters into his own hands to become king he did unspeakable things to make sure his prophecy came true. Macbeth allowed Lady Macbeth to convince him to not wait around to be king and take action to make certain that he will become king. Three witches told Macbeth that he would soon become king and when lady Macbeth heard she knew she would become queen so she became adamant on it happening she couldn't wait for the prophecy so she fed Macbeth terrible ideas for the prophecy to come true sooner than

Power, a societal ranking of superiority and dominance, has influenced people for eons. In Macbeth, Shakespeare emphasizes power as a force that unwillingly controls the actions of others, resulting in broken relationships and dismay. Emotions primarily caused by the eagerness for power are guilt and greed. In Act 3 Scene 4 of Macbeth, Macbeth appears to be haunted by the ghost of Banquo, but no one can see the paranormal interaction besides Macbeth himself. " Avaunt!

Macbeth’s ambition is what is causing him to intervene with his prophecy and pursue his goal (rather than leave it to chance). In a way, it is Macbeth’s own “black and deep desires” that make him kill in the first place as the witches never tell him to do so. Furthermore, apart from ambition, it is Macbeth’s own weak will and moral system that causes him to do the actions that result in his downfall. Macbeth’s weak will is undeniable and is illustrated before killing Duncan. “I have of spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself/And falls on the other” (I, VII, 25-28).

In play Macbeth, Shakespeare reveals that an individual’s great desire for power will lead him/her to perform consequential deeds that will scar his/her conscience and change the outcome of his/her life eternally. Macbeth is informed by three witches that he is going to become king and this initiates Macbeth’s thought of becoming powerful. Macbeth doesn’t act on his thoughts until he tells his wife, Lady Macbeth, that he could become king. Lady Macbeth is extremely power hungry and does all she can to convince Macbeth to be just as desirable as her. Together, they come up with a plan to murder King Duncan, so that Macbeth can become king like the witches foretold.

The three witches' prophecies tell him that he will gain the titles of Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Once Macbeth is aware of these prophecies, they consume him and he desires the power that comes with the titles. In the beginning, he already has the position of Thane of Glamis, but only wanted his power to increase. This is the start of Macbeth’s greed and his need for power. On the other hand, Macbeth also has some very positive moments which can help him go after his destiny.

At the beginning of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the protagonist Macbeth is described as ‘brave’, ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’, however Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeths desire for power consumes them. Macbeth’s ambition overrides his conscience and transformed his greatest strength into his greatest weakness. Macbeth’s inability to resist temptations that led him to be greedy for power, Macbeth’s easily manipulative nature which allowed his mind to be swayed, Macbeth having no self control and his excessive pride was what allowed him to renew his previously honourable and celebrated title into one of an evil ‘tyrant’. Macbeth is led by the prophecies of the witches after they foretell he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Not only the witches, but also his wife easily manipulate Macbeth as she attacks his manhood in order to provoke him to act on his desires.

Power can not only bring ambitious people honors, but also make them lose everything. In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, it demonstrates that the immoral power influences the life of Macbeth dramatically. Macbeth’s abuse of power destroys his relationship with his cousin, friend, and wife, which shows that Macbeth’s wild ambition causes him to be isolated. Macbeth’s abuse of power destroys his relationship with his cousin, Duncan.

At first these thoughts remain hidden, but when the witches approach him with their predictions his desires reform his character. The witches wait for Macbeth and tell him series of predictions. The specific prediction, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.51) causes Macbeth’s desire to become more intensified. Their prediction that he would become king brings a change in his character.