Macbeth Power Corrupts Essay

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In the tragedy of Macbeth, WIlliam Shakespeare shows the struggles of power, jealousy built by others, and the truth behind a guilty mind. When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth learn of the prophecies of him being king made out by the Witches, he sets out to do everything he can to make them possible. In doing so he kills King Duncan, hires murderers to kill Duncan’s sons, along with Macduff’s family, and Banquo. When Macduff learns of the killings he runs to England to inform Malcolm and to build an army to fight against the uprising traitor Macbeth. After the battle is done and Macbeth is dead Malcolm is finally crowned rightful king.The actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth lay out the overall theme of the play. Power corrupts by showing true character, …show more content…

In the play Macbeth is pronounced a noble man but as the play rolls out he ends up being a traitor to the king and everyone in the land. Macbeth stated, “The service and the loyalty I owe,/ In doing it, pays itself. Your Highness’ part/ Is to receive our duties: and our duties/ Are to your throne and state children and servants;/ Which do but what they should, by doing every thing/ Safe toward your love and honor(1.5.22-27).” Macbeth is telling King Duncan about all the loyalty and the service he owes him, but a little further in the play Macbeth ends up killing Duncan to become king himself. The true character of Macbeth is how dishonest and a traitor he will become throughout the …show more content…

Macbeth was so greedy for the power that he lost contact with himself and his wife. Overall in the whole play Macbeth has destroyed and killed many. The first Murder was of King Duncan, whom in which he was killed by Macbeth himself, next was Banquo. Macbeth had hired 3 murders to kill Banquo and Fleance but as the murders killed Banquo, Fleance got away. The last people killed were Lady Macduff and her kids. This also killed Macduff on the inside knowing his wife and kids were just murdered because of Macbeth. In one of the last scenes Macbeth and Malcolm confront Macbeth with their army in attempt to overthrow him. “Of all men else I have avoided thee./ But get thee back! My soul is too much charged/ With blood of thine already(5.8.4-6).” Macbeth confesses to the blood he spilled that is weighing on him and his soul. He never really comes out and says he has killed all the innocent people but he heavily implies what he has done when finally confronted by Macduff and Malcolm’s

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