Empowerment In Macbeth

Throughout Macbeth thoughts of empowerment is especially relevant. Empowerment plays a role in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s lives. In the beginning of the play, both believe that they will remain in their place until the end of their lives. Macbeth was loyal to King Duncan and him alone. This changes however, when he is granted the title of Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan. Macbeth begins to think of an idea that said, “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” (Shakespeare 1.3.52-55). Through these thoughts Macbeth’s hidden desire to become more power had just been awakened. Before Macbeth even meets the witches, he has formed

The idea of regicide at first seemed too far fetched, but the more Macbeth reflected on the concept, the more it seemed possible. Firkins writes that “I am prepared to admit that Macbeth’s physical courage was unquestionable, that he was ambitious and unprincipled, that he probably entertained the thoughts of murder before meeting with the witches” (Firkins 417). Even though Macbeth’s thought of regicide is selfish and evil, it is human nature to better ourselves if given the opportunity. This is important for the psychological school of criticism because it gives an early insight in Macbeth’s mind. In the beginning, he was content with his position of power, but once he rises in rank does he desire more. With this beginning thought formed within Macbeth does it spiral into his descent of unchecked

After the event of King Duncan’s death does Macbeth form an unhealthy conscious. He truly believes even though at this moment no one else, besides Lady Macbeth, knows that Macbeth had murdered King Duncan, that in time they will and come after Macbeth. Macbeth becomes afraid of the repercussions of his actions that in his mind he says, “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more” (Shakespeare 2.2.35-37). This paranoia within Macbeth is further increased with the belief that Banquo, his closest ally, will try to gain the title of King of Scotland by also killing Macbeth. Macbeth concludes to this because Banquo also knows of the witches’ prophecy. “Tis much he dares, and to that dauntless temper of his mind he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear and under him my genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony’s was by Caesar” ( Shakespeare 3.1.55-60). In an attempt to keep his unchecked power, Macbeth plans Banquo’s death. In this stage Macbeth’s paranoia is only somewhat reasonable based on his suspicion of Banquo. Critic Wilson Knight says, “He himself is hopelessly at a loss, and has little idea as to why he is going to murder. He tries to fit names to his reasons - “ambition”, he was not capable of ration conduct while doing it” (Wilson 59).