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Why Is Greed Important In Macbeth

1111 Words5 Pages

Ellie Perry
Mrs. Ugland
British Literature
9 January 2017
The Tragedy of Macbeth
“Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21) This verse presents a fact about humankind. The world in which humans live has, if nothing else, an inkling of this idea ingrained in society. There has always been a quest for more, whether it is riches, wealth, fame, or status. If a lucky person does happen to obtain all of this, they have everything they need. The questions that remain, however, are also important. What drives this journey to achieve more wealth, status, or fame? Is it greed? Is it simply the power of recognition? The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare ventures to answer these questions. …show more content…

Mankind is always searching for acceptance, whether that is in looks, fame, or social statuses. The power of a name is something everyone desires in one way or another. Isn't the wish of leaving behind a legacy, contributing and making a lasting impression on the world a natural tendency? It certainly seems that way. The course of history seems to echo this thought as well. The wars that have been started, the conflicts that end up with terrible bloodshed and fatalities, these events all have one thing in common. A hunger for power. A hunger to be the best, the brightest, and the strongest. There seems to be a constant competition in the world today. The most powerful leaders are obviously the best leaders. Greed often results in power, though the journey to achieve it proves to be fatal.
Recognition does provide a sense of security. It makes people believe that they are invincible, and soon the other problems of living will vanish. If we are wealthy, we will never have to worry about those we cherish suffering. They will never have to worry about their needs going unnoticed, because they are already taken care of. This illustration has a striking resemblance to the religion we call

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