Corruption In Macbeth

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most widely known tragedies that deals with ambition, violence, and power. Yet it mainly amplifies the dangerous mental and physical effects ambition has when power is sought after to reach one’s own goals. Throughout the play, Shakespeare maintains a dark and solemn theme which motions towards an idea of death. The play Tragedy of Macbeth analyzes how the natural born evil and corruption of a person affects those around them. The author does this by showing how Macbeth is never pressured to take action, however, he is influenced by his own inclinations and his wife’s cruelness. This theme of treachery, tyranny, and malice is highlighted by Macbeth’s actions, and how he became so corrupt that he even commits wicked crimes against his closest friends and companions.

The character Macbeth like the whole play itself is a paradox.

His wife believes that his “nature / . . . Is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way” (1.5.15-17 Shakespeare). Which is directly contrary to how the soldiers describe Macbeth when they tell of his fiery battle prowess(1.2.16-20 Shakespeare). To those around him, Macbeth is an excellent friend and a fierce warrior(1.2.21-23 Shakespeare). Furthermore, at the beginning of the play, Macbeth is the embodiment of a loyal subject and a brave soldier who ironically would let no one harm the crown(1.2.22 Shakespeare). These qualities show that Macbeth was not always a bad or corrupt person but he allowed himself to be persuaded by his own dark

soul.

On the other hand, when we first encounter Banquo and Macbeth we see strict distinctions that disaffirm the “great hero”(Pilkington). The first words, Macbeth says in the play “So fair and foul a day I have not seen” (1.3.36), parallel those of the three witches “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.10). This gives a clear-cut connection between these entities. As the witches approach, Macbeth is welcomed by three descriptive titles “ Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king hereafter” (1.3.46 48). But after hearing these words Macbeth is stricken with fear so deep that Banquo is drawn to ask Macbeth “Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?” (1.3.49 50). Macbeth is not afraid of the witches themselves, but with how they could know that in his deepest recesses he has always yearned for these grand titles.

The prophecy that the witches gave was neutral, never telling Macbeth to take any action. However, it is unclear whether these prophecies are preordained or self-fulfilling. Still, Macbeth gives no heed to time but instead takes immediate action with his own hands in a scheme to kill King Duncan. But the clear fact that killing his king, a kinsman, and a guest in his house are counter to all social arrangement, natural order, and humane behavior puts “Macbeth at war with himself”(Pilkington). Yet lady Macbeth knows Macbeth's weak points all too well when she taunts him with words such as cowardice, reluctance, and weakness ( 1.7.79-82). Before Macbeth hears these words he is only half determined to follow through with his treacherous actions but this was his tipping point.

Despite his deep sorrow towards Duncan's murder, Macbeth feels no remorse or regret over his actions. In fact, he fears the idea of being caught by worldly justice so much he believes he is forced to take more inhumane actions. He begins to believe that his best friend Banquo suspects him of the crime and conspires to have Banquo and Fleance killed (3.1.48-55). This truly encapsulates how far Macbeth has fallen into the darkness of human corruption because there was no evidence that Banquo had any ill feelings towards his friend Macbeth. Additionally, Macbeth never consulted anyone about killing Banquo other than himself (Jamieson)