Exposing one’s true self is a major risk that comes with the possession of power. The story of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare demonstrates this perfectly, when three witches prophesy that the main character, Macbeth, will be king. Encouraged by his wife, he kills numerous people and initiates a war in order to attain this authority. The theme is the ambition of power leads to destruction, and is developed through the setting, conflict, and characters.
Throughout the story, the setting is described to help portray the theme. One instance is after the murder of King Duncan, when the nobleman Lennox explains, “The night has been chaotic…the earth shook as if it had a fever” (2.3.28). From the moment the king was killed, Shakespeare used the setting to illustrate the destruction that came with Macbeth’s crave for power. Considering the time period, what could be a better illustration than an earthquake and cries of death? Another example describes, “The clock says it’s daytime, but dark night is strangling the
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Undoubtedly, Macbeth’s internal conflict is included in this. The story states, “Will all the water in the ocean wash this blood from my hands? No, instead my hands will stain the seas scarlet…” (2.2.51-52). Not only does this refer to the literal mess of Duncan’s murder, but also to Macbeth’s own mind never going back to the innocence before it. All the same, Macbeth was willing to do whatever it took to be king, even if it meant the destruction of himself. Additionally, he had an external conflict with Lady Macbeth. She questions, “Will you take the crown you want so badly, or will you live as a coward…” (1.7.41-43). This ambition for power obviously affected everyone in the play, practically wrecking this marriage as time went on. Whether it was through the physical battle from Macbeth’s actions or his own internal conflict, the theme of power and destruction is