ipl-logo

Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

628 Words3 Pages

Power, the thing we all desire, it can lead us to success or our downfall. In the play Macbeth,The witches have told Macbeth what will happen to him and who and what to look out for. All the information that he has received ultimately makes him go insane and Macbeth goes on killing sprees, going against anyone who questions his role as king. Killing all those people and going insane leads him to his downfall. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and The Witches all hold power throughout Macbeth. Macbeth has some power in the play. Macbeth is first seen as a humble soldier but in hearing his fate, he now has power over what will become of him. Wanting to do anything as long as he gets to his goal, “Stars,hide your fires let not the light see my black and deep desires…”(1.4). Macbeth now wanting the throne and yearning for the power already. He takes matters into his own hands with help from his wife and gets rid of his problems, “I have done the deed…”(2.2) and he gains power by getting getting rid of an obstacle on his way to the throne. He now has the power to rule over a kingdom and even though he has gone completely mad he still realizes how life truly is, “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”(5.5). His mind still powerful enough to realize how cruel life really is. In …show more content…

The Witches influence Macbeth’s actions and ultimately have power over him as if he were their meat puppet. “All hail, Macbeth hail to thee, thane of Glamis, Cawdor...thou shalt be king hereafter…”(1.3), the information they give him makes him go insane and he demands more answers to his questions. He basically is kneeling to them and they have power over Macbeth. “...here’s another more potent than the first…”(4.1), They give warnings to him and know what is coming to him having power over his fate. Not even telling Macbeth the catch that comes with the information. For these reasons The Witches have power over Macbeth’s fate and

Show More
Related
1153 Words | 5 Pages

They find it onerous to “give away” the power that they hold on so endearingly to. To retain control, situations arise in which individuals will resort to committing unspeakable acts. Throughout the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth, this theme has been reiterated several times. Shakespeare has used the characters to portray different ideologies. The most prominent example of “power corrupts”

Read More
152 Words | 1 Pages

The witches hold a significant amount of power through their prophecies and manipulation of events. Their ability to foresee the future and influence the decisions of the main characters, especially Macbeth, adds an element of supernatural force to the storyline. By planting seeds of ambition and greed in Macbeth's mind, they effectively set the tragic events of the play in motion. Without their involvement, the course of the story might have been vastly different. Macbeth's murderous actions and downfall might not have occurred if he had not been swayed by the witches' prophecies.

Read More
1184 Words | 5 Pages

Shakespeare's Macbeth includes the power that affects over a person who has rose to a post authority. Influenced by unchecked power, Macbeth takes events that have serious and devastating results for himself and for different characters in the play. When Macbeth has presented an act in which he utilizes control for negative ends, he discovers it is progressively harder to limit himself from perverted use of force. Eventually, it’s his failure to recognize the adaptive and maladaptive elements of force from each other that keeps him from understanding his potential significance.

Read More
166 Words | 1 Pages

The corruption of power in Macbeth In Shakespeare's Macbeth, he shows the theme of power and its corrupting influence on individuals and society. With this theme being such a large influence throughout the play, it leads to the characters having a strong desire for power and them going through great lengths to gain it. Two main characters throughout it demonstrate this: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show how much they desire power and how it affects them and their kingdom because of their actions. To begin with, Shakespeare shows the corrupting influence of power on individuals and society. Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare shows how much power corrupted Macbeth.

Read More
473 Words | 2 Pages

In the “Tragedy of Macbeth”, the main character Macbeth has a constant power struggle throughout the entire play. He is constantly seeking to gain more power over others and then once he has it, he only kills more people to keep the power in his possession. The first instance of this power grab comes from Macbeth when he says “That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’ other-” (I, vii, 25-28). When Macbeth says this he is debating whether or not to kill King Duncan, and then claims his ambition will drive him.

Read More
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
755 Words | 4 Pages

Power is an intrinsic force with a paradoxically strong influence of supremacy over society, intricately woven with the tapestry of human emotions and aspirations. This perspective is exemplified through William Shakespeare's 1606 tragedy ‘Macbeth’, wherein he competently utilises a dramatic masterpiece to uncover the temperamental nature of power. Shakespeare’s exploration of the deceptive nature of power and hamartia is evident in the tragedy as he characterises Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to illustrate the inability to exert control once relinquished. Moreover, Shakespeare positions the play as a cautionary device to warn the Jacobean audience against futile pursuit of omnipotence which ultimately leads to a whirlpool of self- destruction.

Read More
992 Words | 4 Pages

The idea of power can encourage people to behave in ways that they would not normally. Power and progression can influence how we respond to situations if personal gain is at stake. In Shakespeare's ‘Macbeth’ when an opportunity for Macbeth to seize power arises, it is Lady Macbeth’s

Read More
404 Words | 2 Pages

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!

Read More
1059 Words | 5 Pages

In his play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare explores the various forms of power and their effects on the characters, as well as both physical and psychological causes throughout each act and scene. When it comes to power, many would imagine an emperor imposing rule over their country, or even a CEO imposing power on the rest of the employees. The usage of power, however, depends on the nature of a person, and if that person decides to overexploit and take advantage of that power, it tends to lead to corruption. To reach a goal, those who have power may enforce it and do whatever it takes to reach that goal, ultimately leading to a corrupt mindset that also affects surrounding people. Macbeth’s ambition for power leads to moral corruption and

Read More
622 Words | 3 Pages

Since the Macbeth’s wanted power so badly, they use excessive amount of force to get what they want causing them to lose themselves in their inner evil. In the play, Macbeth, the corrupting influence of power can cause people like the Macbeth’s to do acts they wouldn’t normally do. After hearing that the Macbeth’s could become king and queen, they plan on doing something treacherous. First, Macbeth was very loyal to Duncan, he would fight till the death for him.

Read More
904 Words | 4 Pages

He realised that all he wanted was for him to be accepted and have free will. This made him use his power to get rid of the person on top, driving him to use his power for

Read More
685 Words | 3 Pages

The presence of the witches is the first supernatural element that Macbeth meets. One would assume that the witches could be blamed for influencing Macbeth with their prophecies. The witches are able to make Macbeth acknowledge his own dark desires. In Act I, Scene III, the three witches call out one after the other claiming “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, Thane of Glamis! /

Read More
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
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

More about Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

Open Document