Macbeth Dbq Essay

As humans, the power to control is one of the most dominant feelings that ignores the harm it can cause others. The greed for more power brings out the selfish and merciless side of someone, leading them to their eventual downfall and the destruction of everyone around them. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the story begins with Macbeth, who is King of Glamis, and Banquo, King of Lochaber, meeting with the Three Weird Sisters to hear a prophecy they foretell. Macbeth learns he will be crowned King of Scotland and the idea of him becoming king slowly consumes him, becoming his focus throughout the play. For them to control the throne, Macbeth and his wife form plans to kill everyone and anyone in their way, starting with King Duncan

The Weird sisters use the prophecies to control the storyline by influencing the actions of Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth affecting the fate of Scotland. Alvarenga 2 The Weird Sisters exert their influence and control through the prophecies they foretell. In Document A, the Second Witch is telling Macbeth his prophecy and states, “All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!” After the second apparition reveals one of Macbeth's prophecies, we see that Macbeth instantly takes an interest in wanting to find out more about his fate. Macbeth's growing ambition is now known and he can dangerously get the best of him. Since Macbeth knows he has the possibility to achieve another level of greatness and authority, this opens a new selfish mindset that leads him to have a one-track mind and do whatever it takes in order to gain the power promised in the prophecies. In Document D, the second apparition tells Macbeth,” The power of man, for none of women born shall harm Macbeth.” Macbeth believes the witches' prophecies mean that no one can ever harm him because everyone is born from a woman's

Macbeth's first initial thought after hearing the prophecies of the three witches, he wonders if this fate will come to him naturally or if he must take action in order for the prophecies to be fulfilled. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth has no intentions of doing wrong, he is a simple minded individual with no violent thoughts. Macbeth later says “I'll go no more: I'm afraid to think what I have done” in Act 2 Scene 2, Document C. After Macbeth kills King Duncan, Macbeth is ashamed and does not want to come into terms with the horrific deed he just committed. Macbeth's greed slowly gets the best of him, but after the murder we see Macbeth's good conscience coming through as he is suffering from paranoia and fear of what it means to have done something horrific. In Act 4 Scene 1, Document D, Macbeth makes the comment, “but yet I make assurance double sure,.thou shalt not live.”. Macbeth's evolution from the witches' prophecies is more evident as he is more open about his ruthless plans. Macbeth went from being mortified about his killings to planning his next murder with