Aung San Suu Kyi once said, “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” It is human nature that the more power one desires, the more corrupt actions one must do to attain it. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the ways in which characters speak and think about their morals change due to their overpowering ambition for power and wealth, and the fear of losing this power sends them into a spiral of chaos.
The first encounter of Macbeth shows his obvious obsession on the witches’ foretelling of his future power. His reaction to the witches’ insight shows his desire of prestige and supremacy. Macbeth is intrigued and captivated of the idea of him one day having the thrown and power he has dreamed of. Macbeth also
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Before the crime, it was a struggle on whether he should abandon his morals for a position of power. It could be argued that Macbeth would not of committed the crime if Lady Macbeth would not of provoked him. At this point in the play, Macbeth still has some morals and integrity compared to Lady Macbeth, shown by his remorse after the assassination. However, the murder of Banquo was fueled by his ambition for power. During this murder, there was no one making the descions except for Macbeth. He knew that Banquo was the only thing blocking his triumph, so he came to the conclusion that murdering him would be crucial. This is the point during the play when Macbeth changed from his previous morals and became someone who would do anything for power and wealth, including murder and treason. He does not take into consideration his close relationship with Banquo, and is blinded by his thirst for supremacy. The murder of Banquo juxtaposes from the murder of Duncan. During the murder of Banquo, the power and wealth caught up to him and got into his