ipl-logo

Corruption Of Power In Macbeth

544 Words3 Pages

Throughout history power has been corrupted people many times. For example, Hitler, Napoleon, and even George Bush have all been corrupted by power. Any person who gains power usually uses it to their advantage. Shakespeare realized that humans are naturally corrupted by power. Many of the kings and queens of his day were corrupt. By writing Macbeth, Shakespeare was trying to prove a point about how misusing power leads to corruption.

When Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor he realizes all the power he could have. For example, Macbeth says, “My murderous thought is still only imaginary but it shakes my entire manhood so deeply that my power to act is smothered by expectation, and nothing seems real to be except what I imagine.”(Act 1 scene 3 lines 149-151). Although at first Macbeth wants to kill King Duncan but he is scared to. He does it anyway. He kills King Duncan so he can get his place of power. …show more content…

She is the one who encourages Macbeth to kill King Duncan. The reason she does this is because she wants more power and wants to become queen. Lady Macbeth encourages him by saying things like “…look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it“(act 1 scene 5 lines 72-73). By saying this, she is encouraging him to kill people in order to become king. Macbeth has some fears about killing the king but Lady Macbeth questions his manliness by telling him that if he was a real man, he would kill him.

In the play, Macbeth says to himself, “The prince of Cumberland! That is a step I must either fall down from or else leap over, for it lies in my way.”(Act 1 scene 4 Lines 55-57) Macbeth realizes he must get more power. He’s not satisfied with just being the Thane. He kills King Duncan which scares off Malcolm, his son and Macbeth becomes king. This quote relates to the real world because when people are in positions of power they always want more and are not satisfied until they get

Show More
Related

  • Isolation In Macbeth And Lord Of The Flies

    2004 Words  | 9 Pages

    Both Macbeth and Jack seek to rise to power over their respective states, and in doing so each pushes away others in pursuit of their own goals. In Macbeth, after learning of his fate via the Weïrd Sisters, Macbeth develops an ambition to seize power in Scotland; he proceeds to remove anyone in his path to the throne, including killing his cousin, King Duncan. However, when Duncan’s eldest son, Malcolm, is proclaimed Duncan’s successor, Macbeth recognizes Malcolm as an obstruction in his pursuit of power, saying, “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,/For in my way it lies” (Shakespeare 1.4.55-57). Because Malcolm, not Macbeth, is Duncan’s successor, Macbeth describes Malcolm as a literal obstacle, saying that he will either “fall” over Malcolm or “o’erleap” the problem.

    Read More

  • Use Of Plant Motifs In The Godfather

    854 Words  | 4 Pages

    He took force, craving power, and not the responsibilities that came with it. He also felt that he was the only one who should have power. As a leader, Macbeth not only takes power from those he once shared power with, but he also takes their lives along with him. Towards the end of the play, we see a heroic man turn into a murdering tyrant, all because he of the appeal of power. “Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Power Quotes

    659 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth is a well trained soldier who seems like he’d be a great leader and lots of people look up to him which makes him powerful. “All hail Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, be king hereafter”(Act 1, Scene 1). This quote is showing what Macbeth will become in the future and why people will respect him and his power. People are too scared to stand up to King Macbeth because they are afraid of what he’ll do and the confidence he has with his power is dangerous. “The power of man for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”(Act 4, Scene 1).

    Read More

  • Effects Of Power In Macbeth

    801 Words  | 4 Pages

    Power is a dangerous thing to have, no matter who you are or what intentions you have with it. William Shakespeare's book, Macbeth shows the tragic effects power can have and who easily it can corrupt your brain. Macbeth became king not exactly knowing what he was getting himself into, but eventually he realized being king had given him a lot of power so he did unspeakable things to keep that power and his crown. In Macbeth’s case fate brought onto him what he brought onto others in a shakespearean tragedy. Macbeth was so honored he could be king, he did anything he could to keep the power, including murdering, lying, and losing respect for others.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Guilt Quotes

    651 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play entitled Macbeth by William Shakespeare portrays Macbeth, a loyal and brave thane to the king. When a prophecy reveals he will become king, Macbeth is overcome with ambition and greed. Convinced of this prophecy and the encouragement from his wife, he is able to kill the king and take the throne. Although Macbeth was able to obtain the throne, he was was overwhelmed by power and guilt leading to internal conflict, which suggests that success is not desirable through cheating and corruption and ultimately cost more than its actually worth, Macbeth`s reckless pursuit of killing and becoming the king is representative of the power he has and what he is able to do with the power he's gained; therefore. His relentless ambition for king reveals the guilt behind power.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Dbq Essay

    1294 Words  | 6 Pages

    Thus, he's the one making the final decision of his course of action. As stated in Document A, Macbeth aside expresses, “The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step/ On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,/ For in my way it lies.” This reveals Macbeth's true intention, showing that he sees Malcolm as an obstacle and has the choice of eliminating his obstacles to achieve the position of King.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Greed In Macbeth

    1516 Words  | 7 Pages

    However, his ambition also did play its role in the whole act. His ambition to be the King of Scotland was born when he became Thane of Cawdor and thereafter started dreaming of being the King of Scotland. “They met me in the day of success; and I have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further”. This statement echoed the intensity of Macbeth’s greed and ambition beyond the peak of a mountain.

    Read More

  • Hunger For Power In Macbeth

    760 Words  | 4 Pages

    Power is always coveted in any society and the world of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is no different. In the play, Macbeth, a noble lord, shows his hunger for power with thoughts to remove an heir to the throne from power. Macbeth’s impatience to be king leads him to stain his honor by using murder. Macbeth travels further down the path of evil by arranging the assassination of a friend.

    Read More

  • Macbeth's Greed Analysis

    1113 Words  | 5 Pages

    Greed for power leads corrupt leaders to pursue power through ruthless and violent ways, putting their countries in an unstable state. Macbeth commits murders and violent acts to earn his absolute power, but his corrupt mindset of yearning power leads to instability in the Scotland. After hearing from the witches, Macbeth admits that, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical/ Shakes so my single state of man/ That function is smother'd in surmise /and nothing is but what is not.”

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth's Strong Character In Act I Scene V

    780 Words  | 4 Pages

    Lady Macbeth is power hungry for the throne and she will do anything to achieve her goal. Her pleasure of having the thought of killing Duncan is revealed. These murderous thoughts that run through her mind shows how desperate she is to acquire power. Although it is the beginning of the play, her dark ambitions sets a dark tone for her character in the play. This coincidentally adds to the assurance of Macbeth’s prophecy which is that Macbeth will become king, but King Duncan is still alive.

    Read More

  • Essay On Macbeth Is Responsible For Duncan's Murder

    673 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth shows that he is willing to kill King Duncan because he is interested in the witches prophecy, after they tell him that he will become ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and then the King.

    Read More

  • Power And Corruption In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    496 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the beginning of the play Macbeth, the main character Macbeth learns that he will become King. When he realised he could be the leader, the power he desperately craves motivates him to alter his character. “Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done.” (2.4.6-14)

    Read More

  • Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

    789 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Ambition In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1015 Words  | 5 Pages

    Macbeth is also a power hungry man who would do just about anything to achieve his goal of becoming King. When Macbeth first hears the prophecies from the three witches he instantly became invested with the journey to become king. Similar to Lady Macbeth, nothing was going to come between him and his potential power, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man. That function is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is but what is not” (1.3.52-55). This quote exemplifies how Macbeth’s initial solution to becoming king was murder.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Ambition Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

    823 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the story “Macbeth”, Macbeth was considered a very well-respected warrior. He was known for being chivalrous as well as ambitious. Although ambition is typically a good thing, Macbeth turns it into the complete opposite. He lets his ambition get the best of him and it ruins Macbeth entirely. He was given the title Thane of Cawdor and, due to greed, he continued to push for more.

    Read More

More about Corruption Of Power In Macbeth

Open Document