Corruption Of Power In Macbeth

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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