In William Shakespeare's renowned play Macbeth, the theme that power corrupts is strongly depicted through several characters, each of whom follow the "power corrupting" path of lusting for power, doing nearly anything to achieve that power, and ultimately meeting his/her end because of that power. Shakespeare illustrates this theme most vividly through the character of Lady Macbeth, an ambitious woman living in medieval Scotland. She craves for power but is ironically driven crazy by it, for the power reflects the wicked schemes that she contrives to attain power. Moreover, her lust for power overwhelms the morality and good judgment of her conscious mind and causes her to believe that no matter how cruel a deed she carries out, as long as its purpose is to achieve power, she will never feel reprehensible. As a result, Lady Macbeth declares that blood can be easily washed away, but she eventually finds that the guilt that the blood symbolizes refuses to abandon her and becomes too much for her to bear, causing her ultimate deterioration.
To begin, Lady Macbeth's insistence that blood can be effortlessly distilled provokes the beginning of her downfall. Early on, Lady Macbeth acts as the mind and the will in plotting an assassination attempt, thirsting for the power that she could achieve if the attempt was successful. Furthermore, she manipulates her tentative husband, Macbeth, to murder the Scottish king, Duncan, by redundantly questioning his manhood, which he undoubtedly feels that he has to prove. By assassinating the king, Lady Macbeth would improve her position to become the authoritative Queen of Scotland. On the other hand, after killing Duncan, Macbeth is paralyzed with horror from what he has done. He is only barely clinging on to sanity when Lady Macbeth continues to influence him, declaring, "A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then!" (2.2.86-87). Again, she is challenging Macbeth's manhood by implying that if he is truly a man, then he should easily be able to handle the guilt.
Macbeth enters, attired as king. He is followed by Lady Macbeth, now his queen, and the court. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ask Banquo to attend the feast they will host that night. ... The witches also declare that Macbeth will be king one day. ... Macbeth fixates on the details of the prophecy. ...
Macbeth Macbeth's downfall was generated by a combination of factors. These include Macbeth's greed, ambition, over confidence and Lady Macbeth's suspicious behavior. ... This track of thought leads Macbeth to kill Banquo. ... Damned fact how it did greave Macbeth! ... This is proof that lady Macbeth's undisciplined tongue aroused suspicion and contributed to Macbeth's downfall. ...
Macbeth is tragic play written by William Shakespeare in early 1606. ... Afterwards as Macbeth informs his wife about the three predictions he has learnt, she expresses herself more ambitious than Macbeth. ... When Lady Macbeth has no choice then she uses her tactics to stop Macbeth wimping out of Duncan's murder. ... As the witches warn Macbeth to be aware of Macduff. ... He is also weak before Lady Macbeth. ...
Throughout the play, Macbeth becomes more impaintent, secretive, and paranoid. ... Macbeth is not living in reality because when an equivocation is placed in front of him, "All hail, Macbeth! ... However, in the end his arrogance will cost Macbeth his life. Throughout the meetings between the witches and Macbeth, no lies were told. ... All the venom and evil in the play are always located in Macbeth's mind. ...
In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare the protagonist Macbeth mindset changes throughout the play with certain events that influence his mentality. Macbeth undergoes a transformation, which changes his belief and opinions about his King. ... This perspective is altered once Macbeth interacts with the three witches. ... Macbeth after committing the murder of Duncan feels guilt from his crime. ... This is the transformed Macbeth who has nothing left to lose but his life. ...
In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Macbeth is no pawn of fate. ... The prophecy of Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor had already come true, enhancing Macbeth's aspirations of becoming king. ... But, Macbeth was never destined to kill anyone. ... The three Weird sisters played a part within Macbeth's destiny, for they were the ones who foretold Macbeth's future. ... Macbeth knew what he was doing. ...
By offering to Macbeth the idea of power, the witches push Macbeth to the next level of greed and evil that did not exist prior to the encounter. ... This apparition confuses and frightens Macbeth. ... The dagger symbolizes the point of no return for Macbeth. ... Macbeth fears Banquo due to his prophecy to father kings, so Macbeth proceeds to plot the murder of his once friend, which spurs yet another brush with the supernatural. ... The use of supernatural in Macbeth caused Macbeth to become a darker and more evil person with each paranormal encounter. ...
"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter." ... Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." ... The apparition also ceases Macbeth's ability to think things through. ... This sure did kick the last leg out from under Macbeth's not so sturdy table. Macbeth's death shows that the witches were some bad dudes. ...
