Theme Of Control In Macbeth

Control is a recurring theme in the play "Macbeth" as it warns the audience of the reprecussions of trying to control your fate. The first key event where control features in a significant way is the witches prophecies. They tell Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland which establishes the importance of fate. Shakespeare conveys the witches as agents of evil that are deceptive and dangerous, "oftentimes to win us to our harm/the instruments of darkness tell us truths," showing that they use truth itself to influence a horrible outcome (Macbeth 's tragic demise.) Their message is compelling and attractive and we can clearly see their effect on Macbeth as it greatly contrasts to that of Banquo. In fact, Macbeth becomes

Control is shown as an important factor in Lady Macbeth and Macbeth 's relationship. Although they view each other as equals,"my dearest partner of greatness," it 's Lady Macbeth who is established as the dominant partner in the dynamic, inverting typical 17th century gender and social roles. (Since husbands were supposed to rule their wives in the same way that kings ruled countries, Lady Macbeth 's plan is just another version of treason: taking power that doesn 't belong to you.) Upon reading the letter, she worries that Macbeth is too kind-natured to be able to take the crown and is determined to assist him through the,"valour of my tongue." She emasculates Macbeth and challenges his bravery, which to him is the essence of a being a man, "coward." Compelling her husband by giving him an ultimatium, be a coward or kill the king. Macbeth succumbs to evil and in doing so, betrays his King. God 's divine order is disturbed as Macbeth challenges God by killing the God appointed King and assuming the role for himself in his quest for power. Later on in the play, Macbeth asserts his right over Lady Macbeth, flipping their dynamic, and distances himself from her,"be innocent of the knowlded dearest chuck." He no longer confides in his most trusted confidant showing his descension into paranoia and obsession with control. The natural order of the universe is disrupted when they murder the king and chaos it unleashed. This is shown in the aftermath: Macbeth hallucinates, Lady Macbeth

Macbeth does regain some control. There is a moment of anagnorsis when Macbeth realizes his efforts have been in vain as he fails in his plan to secure his position as king in the long term. But the realization has come too late to save Macbeth and he will die. His conscience has taken a long time to catch up with him but it has and his subsequent deeds are those of a despeate, even delusional man, but one who is aware that the withes have taken advanage of him. He engenders more pity. His agnorsis could be said to occur earlier, when he becomes aware of Lady Macbeths death. His understated reaction oculd indicate his complete exhaustion and defeat together with involuntary awareness and his commentss that life is nothing more than a "tale,told by an idiot signifying nothing."

In the end of the play natural order and control is restored as Macbeth is killed and Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne according to succession and order, is crowned king of Scotland. Shakespeare successfully warns and scares the audience against thinking about