Loss Of Power In Macbeth

It is part of human nature to want power. Macbeth is not an exception. It is after finding out about the prophecy that his ambition for power starts to grow. This ambition begins to fuel his actions and decisions but also corrupts his morals. He wants this power enough to commit heinous acts. Macbeth is a tragedy because Macbeth’s desire for power and fear of losing it caused him to make irrational decisions that led to his ultimate end.

In the beginning, Macbeth normally was a morally sound individual who fought selflessly for his country and King. He was known for his loyalty and honor. The King himself had great trust in Macbeth so much so that he rewarded Macbeth with the title “Thane of Cawdor”(Shakespeare I.II.66-68). At this time Macbeth

The allure of power is enough to make him want to take it for himself and act that once would have never crossed his mind. However, Macbeth knows how wrong it is and is reluctant to act on his thoughts. This is shown when Macbeth is talking to himself and says, “Present fears are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is fantastical,/ shakes so my single state of man/That function is smothered in surmise,/And nothing is but what is not” (I.3.137-142). Macbeth expresses his doubts about killing the King and usurping the crown but eventually, his ambition trumps his doubts and he kills the

His noble characteristics have been corrupted by his ambition and his fear of losing his newly acclaimed power makes it easier for him to take drastic measures; such as murder, to keep it. This can be seen when Macbeth is speaking to the hired murderers and says, “That every minute of his being thrusts/Against my near’st of life” (III.I.116-117). In these lines, he is referring to Banquo and how the mere existence of Banquo threatens Macbeth’s position. To Banquo from figuring out what he did to King Duncan, he has him killed (III.IV.16). Macbeth has no serious qualms about having Banquo killed and makes the order with surprising ease. Not only does he have Banquo killed but he also has Macduff’s entire family killed as well. This includes Macduff’s young children (IV.II.81-82). There was a time when Macbeth would have thought of murdering children as repulsive and it is clear that Macbeth’s morals have been corrupted if he is willing to kill children to keep his throne. His now once-virtuous ideals have been replaced with the need to hold his