Power In Macbeth

Page

1

of 2

ZOOM

In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, there is a constant struggle between several of the characters. Some of these people have a burning desire for power, wealth, and status in the world. The main character of the play, Macbeth, is the absolute best example of this. Other than his already present need for power, he has outside influences that further push him to gain this authority. These persuasive beings guide Macbeth to commit acts that he otherwise would not have done to just gain the throne. Macbeth’s strong need for power in this play originated from his encounter with the three sister-witches, his insecurities, and his feeble mind, which all lead to his eventual downfall. During the third scene of Act 1, Macbeth has his first

He and Banquo are together as the sisters begin to speak. They allude to the men that Macbeth will later become rise from being Thane of Glamis to being the Thane of Cawdor, then finally he will become king. The audience can interpret that these three witches are attempting to brainwash Macbeth into believing that he will, undoubtedly, become king. The audience can also begin to question why Macbeth is so quick to believe these women. One can assume that they are aware of everything that he has ever wanted, including to gain his position as king, and are using this to control his mind and actions. The more strong-minded Banquo begins to question the witches intent. Another major source of Macbeth’s drive for power is his insecurities. This is shown all throughout the play by Shakespeare, by many different means. His wife, Lady Macbeth’s constant nagging is one issue affecting his own perception of himself. She is seen many times slyly degrading Macbeth and his masculinity. For instance, in Scene 4 of Act 1, Lady Macbeth is viewed telling Macbeth, “When you durst do it, then you were a man;- And, to be more than what you were, you would- Be so much more the man.” She