Battle Between Good And Evil In Macbeth

Author T.F Hodge once said, “Manipulation, fueled with good intent, can be a blessing. But when used wickedly, it is the beginning of a magician’s karmic calamity” (goodreads.com). Through this quote, Hodge claims that controlling a situation, with the purest intentions (for another), leads to positive outcomes overall however; when conducted for personal gain, the results are disastrous. In other words, the purpose of a person’s manipulation depends on the self-confliction between good and evil, affecting everyone in the end. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, is the epitome of this phenomenon because there is an imperative battle between selfishness and selflessness, creating a pivotal point for characters. Two characters in particular that portray

Throughout the battle, Macbeth alongside Banquo (another commander) express no fear, rising to the occasion and outwitting the aliens trying to overthrow his cousin from the title: King of Sweden. In the end, Macbeth led the Swedish army to victory despite the conniving Norwegian lord’s war tactics and the traitorous thane of Cawdor’s fraternization with the enemy. This bravery and resilience throughout the battle impressed Duncan, enticing him to give Macbeth the title of thane of Cawdor once the former thane is executed. Before Macbeth is able to hear this news from one of Duncan’s messengers however, he and Banquo run into three witches that deliver the news first, along with a prophecy of Macbeth and Banquo’s sons to be king. The two question whether or not what the witches say is plausible until Ross and Angus arrive to inform Macbeth of his new title. Macbeth is overwhelmed with these encounters and tells his wife of the news in a letter, which is where the manipulation formally begins. Upon reading Macbeth’s letter, Lady Macbeth begins to plot as to how she can make this prophecy come true for Macbeth. She does this because she feels he does not have the proper mentality to seize the crown for himself. She expresses her doubt towards her husband’s abilities/character by