Greed For Power In Macbeth

Greed will be found with the people who will do whatever they can to gain power. William Shakespeare’s play MacBeth follows a nobleman and his internal struggles between his, for power and his morals. Throughout the play, MacBeth changes frequently under the influences of his wife, Lady MacBeth. The changes Lady MacBeth urges, ultimately lead to the tragic downfall of MacBeth. Her power over him is seen clearly through manipulation, intimidation and her high expectations.

Lady MacBeth’s danger is obvious when she begins to use her strong sense of manipulation to gain power. Her greed for power is not seen as selfish as the progress she not only for herself, but for her husband as well. Upon hearing the prophecy of the witches, MacBeth

Natural traits collide when one of Lady MacBeth’s biggest challenges is to break through MacBeth’s love and kindness for the people around him. MacBeth’s kindness is seen frequently when he begins to second guess his life-altering decisions. “We will proceed no further in this business/ He hath honored me of late.” (I.VII.33-34) The second guessing and the guilt-ridden feelings start to set in for MacBeth when he begins to recall all of the positive things about his relationship with Duncan. MacBeth has only recently gained the good opinions of people and will only do what a proper man is to do. While playing the devil’s advocate, Lady MacBeth becomes disgusted with his actions. She reminds him of all the good that will come from their actions and what will become of him if they fail. Through the first act of MacBeth, Lady MacBeth is overtaken by the greed and the need for power. When her husband does not follow suit, she becomes a manipulator with a single goal; to become a royal. In addition to the art of manipulation, intimidation is one of Lady MacBeth’s strongest

After hearing the plan that Lady MacBeth has carefully crafted, MacBeth shudders at the thought of being gifted a daughter. He wishes that she only bears him sons as power like hers can only be seen in a male body. “Bring forth men-children only,/ For thy undaunted mettle should compose/ Nothing but males.” (I.VII.51-53) This scene shows that MacBeth finds fear in his wife's power. MacBeth states that a power like hers should only be seen in men, openly saying that men are the only ones who can handle such power. MacBeth can not handle a daughter that portrays such qualities like her mother as she would be an equal threat to him. Through the fear of a challenge, MacBeth crumbles. Along with her potential, Lady Macbeth has a bursting confidence that leaves her husband disturbed. When MacBeth forgets to leave the daggers at the scene of the murder and refuses to return them out of fear, his wife does so herself. She compares his actions to those of a child while using her preferred way of addressing her husband, by calling him a coward. “Infirm of purpose!/ Give me the dagger. The sleeping and the dead/ Are but pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood/ That fears a painted devil” (I.VII.51-53) Lady MacBeth frequently uses fear induced intimidation in hopes that it shall make her husband cower and not want to receive the same treatment once more. The focus of intimidation is used quite often throughout