Macbeth: How Money Killed Essay

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Macbeth: How Money Killed           Many of our friends at Wall Street have serious heart problems; some of them even die years before they should because of the stress that is brought on by the money and greed of Wall Street.  Money is also evident as a health risk in Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice, both written by William Shakespeare.  On Wall Street people are driven by the greed of the people they represent, their own greed, and a general atmosphere of greed.  In Macbeth, Macbeth is driven by personal ambition and his wife to become king at any expense, including slaying some of his personal friends and their families.  Also, in The Merchant of Venice, Shylock …show more content…

          Macbeth's greed starts to become a problem when people start figuring out the truth behind Duncan's death.  Macbeth realizes that he is well beyond to point of no return and that the only thing left to do is to keep eliminating people whom may potentially stand in his way, or hurt his political figure such as when Macbeth sends orders to have Macduff's family assassinated because Macduff hurt Macbeth politically by not showing up at the party.  "The castle of Macduff I will surprise/Seize upon Fife; give to th' edge o' th' sword/His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line" (4.2.150-153). Macbeth plots to kill Macduff's wife and child just because he didn't show up at his party where he was being blundersome any way.  Shylock's greed goes from being a problem for Antonio to being a problem for himself.  As Antonio's ships failed to arrive on time, Shylock wants his part of the agreement fulfilled -- one pound of flesh from Antonio's body is the agreement.  Although Antonio pleads for his life, Shylock's greed is persistent and eventually they go to court to settle.  The tide turns when Portia shows up disguised as a …show more content…

You stand within his danger, do you/not?"  (4.1.180-184).  Through some manipulation of interpretation of the bond, Shylock is forced to give up all that he had worked for in order to not be put on trial for plotting to murder Antonio.  It is now evident that greed will eventually triumph any man's heart.           Macbeth's greed kills him in the end.  "Hail, King! For so thou art: behold, where/stands/Th' usurper's cursed head.  The time is free"

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