Macbeth And Absolute Power Corrupts

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This famous phrase written by Lord Acton holds true in the famous play Macbeth written by Shakespeare in the early 17th century. Throughout this play, we see the change of a man. A man that goes from being a loyal and kind soldier to a ruthless and heartless tyrant of a king. Throughout the play, we see an example of this transformation through the relationship between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. The souring of their relationship represents how Macbeth is changed over the play. This change creates a theme that runs throughout the play of ambition and how power corrupts a man. Throughout this essay, we will look at three stages of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship

In this scene, Lady Macbeth has just learned that it has been prophesied that Macbeth will become king of Scotland. Lady Macbeth is excited but also believes that Macbeth has too much kindness to be able to become king. She believes that she is going to have to force Macbeth to go through with the murder. Lady Macbeth states, “But be the serpent under ’t. He that’s coming / Must be provided for, and you shall put / This night’s great business into my dispatch, Which shall to all our nights and days to come / Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.”(I.vi.78-82) This shows an example of their relationship because Lady Macbeth is the one in power. This is before Macbeth was willing to do anything to get what he wanted. Lady Macbeth’s power in the relationship is later confirmed after the murder of Duncan. In a conversation between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, they say, “I’ll go no more. / I am afraid to think what I have done. / Look on ’t again I dare not. / Infirm of purpose! / Give me the daggers.”(II.ii.65-69) This shows how Lady Macbeth has power in the relationship because she is the one doing the dirty work. She is the one having to plant the evidence that will end up leading to the death of the two guards. This shows Macbeth before he was corrupted with ambition and power. Let’s now look at Macbeth a little into his reign as king as he is dealing with the idea of murdering his friend,

Macbeth has realized that the only other person that knows about the prophecy is his old friend and comrade Banquo. Macbeth fears that if Banquo is not taken care of then he will eventually connect the dots and figure out about the murder, thus putting Macbeth’s power in jeopardy. Macbeth in his thoughts says, “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.”(III.i.59-62) This shows a change in Macbeth because he is now worried about losing his power similar to how Marc Antony lost his power to Caesar. This shows a change in the philosophy of Macbeth. Later on, in the act Macbeth is debating the plan with Lady Macbeth when they say, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it. / She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice / Remains in danger of her former tooth. / But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds / suffer… Come on, gentle my lord, / Sleek o’er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial.”(III.ii.15-18 and 30-31) This shows the change in the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth because now Macbeth has transitioned into being the main power in the relationship and the one making all of these immoral decisions. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth is trying to pull him back to a more sane state but Macbeth refuses. This also shows how he is becoming more