Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

Throughout the tragedy of "Macbeth", Shakespeare establishes power primarily through individual characters such as the tragic hero, Macbeth. Shakespeare, the English playwright, introduces Macbeth to the Jacobean audience as an individual whose desires lead him to commit regicide. This play tackles issues that were prominent during the reign of King James I, such as Treason and Loyalty (several plots against King James, including the gunpowder plot), the supernatural (witchcraft, at the time, was looked down upon and punished if accused on someone) and the royal lineage (the populace during that era believed in the sanctity of the royal families' bloodline, and this ensured that only individuals related to the present monarch could inherit

Following the witches' prophecies, Macbeth begins to display his feeling "(Aside)'' so "light not see my(his) black and deep desires". Therefore, his metaphorical "deep desires'' indicate that Macbeth has become corrupted deeply into his mind. These deep desires could hint at his greed for power, status, violence or blood. The characters commend Macbeth's violence at the start of the play, and it is that violence that leads him to his downfall. However, this contrasts with Lady Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 5 when she says that Macbeth is "too full o'th'milk of human kindness". "Milk" denotes innocence and childhood as children drink the pure milk of their mother. However, Macbeth hesitates in committing to his "deep desires'' as he isn't inherently evil or his desires are still young and not fully developed. Shakespeare presents Macbeth's lines as "(aside)", utilising stage directions to allow the audience a window into Macbeth's weak and impressionable mind, granting the character of Macbeth to show his feelings to himself and the audience. Showing how Macbeth is weary of others knowing about his intentions, and here is where the audience can start to feel a sense of his disloyalty to the

The thought of betraying the king still "shakes my(Macebth's) single state of man" since he is "in double trust" as both his servant and his "worthiest cousin". In this dialogue, Macbeth is referred to as "worthiest" because Ducan erroneously believes Macbeth is trustworthy, and Macbeth is referred to by King Ducan as his cousin, indicating that he is like family to him. Showing how foolish King Ducan was in trusting Macbeth, we can later see how his son Malcolm will rectify his mistakes and become a better king than his father. Shakespeare builds up suspense in the audience of the death of the king till the plot of his death in Act 1, Scene 7. Consequently, Shakespeare establishes the tone of trust and betrayal and its power over other characters throughout the rest of the