Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutly in Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutly in Shakespeare's Macbeth

It is common knowledge that it is human nature to crave power. Also,

that the more power that is acquired the more power hungry someone

would become, and with this power they become more and more corrupt.

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth showed this throughout the entire

play. There was strict relationship between the amount of power

Macbeth obtained and the corrupt acts he committed. When Macbeth had

no title, or only the title of his father, Thane of Glamis, he did not

exhibit corruption. But as he gained more power, such as gaining the

title of Thane of Cawdor, his corruption became more and more evident.

Macbeth was most destructive with the most amount of power and least

destructive with the least amount of power.

When Macbeth was Thane of Glamis he showed no sign of corrupt

behavior. Macbeth was loyal to King Duncan. He faught battles for his

country with courage, loyalty, and honor. He was known as "brave

Macbeth" (Shakespeare 1. 2. 18) and compared to eagles and lions both

strong, and brave creatures. When the witches told Macbeth that he

would be, "Thane of Cawdor"(1. 3. 52) and "king"(1. 3. 53), Macbeth

dismissed the possibility and maintained his loyalty to King Duncan.

He didn't take their predictions seriously. He refered to the entire

situation as if he had eaten an "insane root" (1. 3. 87). He believed

that the witches were a figment of his imagination and that to believe

predictions of the future was absurd.

Macbeth's views changed drastically when he became Thane of Cawdor.

With this promotion Macbeth became closer to obtaining the throne and

mor...

... middle of paper ...

... As Macbeth gained power he became more and more vile, and as he lost

that power he became the courageous and virtuous man he was before

being corrupted. The relationship between corruption and power is a

constant and is directly proportional throughout the play. It is

obvious that Shakespeare was showing us through Macbeth the worst

points of human nature.

Works Cited

Kins, Katy. "The Theme of Power in Macbeth."

http://www.planetpapers.com/Assets/4332.php

============================================

(Retrieved December 13th, 2003).

================================

Reynolds, Gregory. "Hitler, Stalin and Macbeth."

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/totalitarianism/essay1.html (Retrieved

December 14th, 2003)

Shakespeare,William. MacBeth. Ed. Margaret Kortes. Toronto: Harcourt,

1988.

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