Power In Macbeth

Pursuit of Power George Lucas, a world-renowned screenwriter for the popular movie, Star Wars, once said, “Power corrupts, and when you’re in charge, you start doing things that you think are right, but they’re actually not.” Power is universal, and the tendency to corrupt is ever-present. Moreover, when a weak-minded individual is in power, all the elements are present for abominable effects. Macbeth, who began as a noble soldier for his country, was swiftly brought to corruption and oppressive rule. He was instantaneously promoted into a spot of power due to his enterprising acts of valor. Preceding this, Macbeth was prophesied to rise to King. Consequently, this possible power caused him to go mad. As a result of this, he began to kill

By doing this he sent his country into turmoil. In Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, different characters are utilized to help reveal how the pursuit of power can alter a person in many adverse ways. Lady Macbeth, a woman with a very corrupt agenda gets swayed to madness by the pursuit of power. The beginning of Macbeth’s spouse’s downfall begins in the very first act itself. She clouds Macbeth’s thoughts convincing him that murdering the King is the only logical and courageous thing he can do. “We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place/ And we’ll not fail/ When Duncan is asleep— Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey” (I.7, 60-63). This is when the beginning of her guilt-induced madness really commences. Attempting to gain power, she influences Macbeth’s decision, blinded by the possibility of power. She convinces Macbeth, against his will, to kill Duncan, and the guilt that is seared in her conscience drives her to obsessive paranoia. An example of this could be found when the Doctor

“ I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise? ” (II.2, 14). Macbeth began as a noble man who defended his country with great honor. However, when the possibility to quickly rise to power presents himself, he turns into a blood-thirsty machine. “Besides, this Duncan, Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ So clear in his great office, that his virtues/ Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against, The deep damnation of his taking-off” (1.7.16-20). Despite the fact that Macbeth acknowledges that Duncan was indeed a terrific ruler, he puts himself first. His selfishness and pride gets in the way of what is for the greater good of his country. The potential to be in power moves him so much so that he kills what he believes to be a very good man. Another example of this lust of blood is the killing of his good friend Banquo. “And with him— To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—Fleance, his son, that keeps him company/ Whose absence is no less material to me/ Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate” (III.1, 137-141). Again, his true evil side is shown by the ruthless killing of Banquo. Banquo’s descendants were prophesied to eventually seize the throne. Any potential challenge to his power was something he did not want, so to solve this issue, he decided his best course of action was to kill his once good friend. Macbeth is another foil in the portrayal of the