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Examples Of Greed In Macbeth

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In the play Macbeth, written by Shakespeare, the protagonist, Macbeth, possesses many qualities that shape the mindset that he carries. However, the one that influences his actions and need for power the most is greed. Greed has the power to greatly influence and corrupt one's actions, mindset and way of life. Macbeth strongly possesses the feeling of greed, as he has his mind set on being king after hearing the prophecy set by the witches. In Macbeth's mind being king equals having infinite power and that was all Macbeth wanted. As Macbeth starts his journey into becoming king, greed takes over his mind and pushes him to do corrupt and unthinkable things. As Macbeth tells his wife “ Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (A3S2) he's
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Greed and jealousy live inside everyone, but one must refrain from these thoughts to prevent self destruction. In William Shakespeare's Elizabethan era Tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare uses betrayal as a vehicle for obtaining power for selfish means, and illustrates the grave costs of betrayal to the individual. Greed often fuels an uncontrolled lust for power. Shakespeare reveals the extent of Macbeth’s greed when Macbeth's first thought regarding the witches prophecy stir thoughts of murder: “ My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical”(I.iii.152). Most individuals do not think one should murder someone to obtain what you desire.

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Macbeth’s greed takes over him as he chases a fool’s dream. Macbeth's ambition leads him to secure his power; he overlooks his guilt and focuses on doing whatever it takes to hold onto his authority. Shakespeare demonstrates, in a variety of techniques, how just ambition alone can bring down the even the greatest of men. “There is something wrong with a individual’s character if opportunity controls their loyalty.” Sean Simmon’s the writer of this quote explains how blinded someone can be when given certain opportunities which can be directly related to the character Macbeth.

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William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a testimony to the difference between greed and ambition, good and evil, and right and wrong. The story shows that when one becomes obsessed with power, they will often resort to methods of manipulation and retaliation to achieve their desired outcome. In the case of Macbeth, he is approached by the Three Witches who inform him that he will one day become Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. Additionally, they inform Macbeth’s comrade Banquo that his sons will one day be kings.

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“There is a sufficiency in the world for man 's need but not for man 's greed.” This quote was spoken from a wise Indian activist, what he says is a correlation towards the rising greed aspect of the character Macbeth. This play Macbeth was about a soldier who became greedy with power. It is about Macbeth’s Tyrant display when he kills Duncan and orders Banquo to be killed and other violent acts.

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Both greed and power, if not controlled, can lead to destruction. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses both characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to demonstrate how ambition can change one’s personal relationships. As in the beginning of Act 1, Scene 7 Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do not share the same ambition, and it is because of this that their relationship lacks love and affection however through the use of persuasion and other means, Lady Macbeth is able to get Macbeth to pursue her ambition. This not only changes their relationship drastically but it also changes Macbeth’s attitude towards ambition. Throughout the play, Shakespeare shows us through Macbeth, the possibility for ambition to eventually turn into greed and how the lust for power may corrupt us.

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So, Lady Macbeth summons evil upon them and the house to assist them in carrying out the deed. “Come you spirits, that tend on moral thoughts, unsex me here and fill me to the crown to the toe-top full of direst cruelty.” (Act 1) This relates to the theme of the disturbed mind in the case that greed brings people to do things they never would think to do in the past, an article written by Michael W. Austin Ph.D., explains how greed affects the mind. “The anxiety and restlessness we feel when we long for some possession, and the false assurance that upon gaining it we’ll be put at ease and satisfied places us in a literally vicious circle” (Michael W. Austin Ph.D.)

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Shakespeare characterizes Macbeth as greedy through his intentions to kill Banquo and Fleance. During act III scene I of Macbeth, the new king, Macbeth realizes that if the witches prophecies continue to play out, Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne. This upsets Macbeth who feels like murdering Duncan was pointless if his children aren’t his heirs. During his soliloquy, Macbeth says, “To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! / Rather than so, come, fate, into the list,” (Shakespeare 3.1.74-75).

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Shakespeare demonstrates how greed can take over one’s life through Macbeth’s actions, and shows that facing the consequences of greed is near impossible. The message of Macbeth is to illustrate the consequences of unrestrained ambition and

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The speech Macbeth gives about the death of his wife, shows the lack of humanity that gets shown throughout the play. Macbeth has become insensitive towards the tragic news that he has just received, all because of his thirst for power. He has separated the person he once was into the treacherous traitor that he is now. “Life is nothing more than an illusion,” is what Macbeth says, it shows that his ideology has been warped due to taking the future for granted. He has been told by the three witches, what going to happen, but not how, so he has become jaded about certain events that will transpire.

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