Use Of Power In Macbeth

446 Words1 Page

The Morality of Power Our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, once stated; “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”. This declaration argues that the true test of a person’s morals derives from when said person is given a position of relative power, whether it be power presiding over a nation, or simply power within a relationship. I agree with this statement wholeheartedly, when a person is in a state of submission their actions are regulated and the person may not reflect the values that they actually hold. However, when a person is given power that allows them have control over others, their true ideologies arise. Furthermore, this is supported in literary works throughout history. Specifically, …show more content…

Written by William Shakespeare in 1611, Macbeth is a tragic tale that dramatizes the acquisition of power by Macbeth, a Scottish Lord who becomes King, and documents the effects newfound power has on morality and values. A recurring theme that is demonstrated throughout the play is the idea that a change in status, a gain or loss of power, can have substantial effects on a personals moral standing. This ideology is see in the transition of Macbeth from a subservient lord to a ruthless king that abuses his limitless power. For instance, in the beginning of the play, Macbeth states: “ “We will proceed no further in this business.””(1.7.32), referring to carrying out the plot to murder King Duncan. While, at the the climax of the play, Macbeth’s exercise and power know no limits, as scene in Act 3, “ “For mine own good/ All causes shall give way. I am in blood/ Stepped in so far, that I wade no more,/ Returning were as tedious as go o'er.””(3.4.167-170). During this scene, Macbeth has proclaimed that he has come too far to fall back and will continue to abuse his power. Regarding the citations, Macbeth’s shift in morality can be lucidly seen through his transformation from a subordinate lord to a power hungry tyrant with limitless power. Previous to his coronation, Macbeth was an obedient servant to the King, by way of contrast, after Macbeth

Show More
Related

  • Power in Macbeth

    615 Words  | 2 Pages

    In William Shakespeare Macbeth the composer emphasizes the controlling force that power possesses over another being. Shakespeare utilizes many types of powers in different contexts, such as domestic power, supernatural power and the power of the natural order within Elizabethan society. The composer employs these powers within the text to not illustrate but also highlight their controlling and possessive influence on the central figures within the text. The play climax’s around the protagonist dealing with the consequences of his actions in succumbing to external pressures and an inner hunger for ambition and power. In perusing such desires he gets killed epitomising the rigidity to the natural order in which all citizens during the Elizabethan era must conform to.

    Read More

  • The Consequences of Power as Depicted in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1151 Words  | 3 Pages

    When people come into a position of power the definition of power is altered and changed according to their perspective, where they believe that every decision that they take and do which hurts others and may even result in their demise is not of their responsibility, they would believe that what they are doing is the right thing no matter what it is and even if it is to others morally repugnant. And such people would do anything to remain in that position withholding power causing them into doing horrible things such as murder, deception, lying, bribery, coning and stealing. Now as we ponder through out this play we notice a drastic change in the one of the leading characters that is Macbeth, because of the power he held and of the greed that got the best of him, and turned him to his antithesis. At the commencement of the tragedy Macbeth was a noble man of high rank in the king’s army he was man who could be trusted with a person’s life. He fought for the king, for justice, fairness and for freedom, he was never afraid of anybody, he was never greedy, where he was humble and never aspired to be king. He was valiant and noble, where he defended the king’s honor and was a true gentleman. He truly embodied the idea of a man. His manhood was never questioned by anybody. He cared for his friends, especially Banquo who was hi...

    Read More

  • Control of Power in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the key concepts achieving success is to consider the wealth of ambition; however, it can act as a "two-edged sword" problem in someone's life. William Shakespeare uses the character Macbeth demonstrates the dangerous qualities amount of uncontrolled ambitions in the tragic play of "Macbeth”. The prophecies and Lady Macbeth are using Macbeth's ambition achieving the goal of being the King of Scotland by considering to murder the current king, Duncan. In a result, Macbeth's ambition goes out of control by accomplishing a series of murderers to cover up the golden truth, which results in his ruthlessness and disrupt relationships with everyone. Shakespeare suggests ambition can motivate an individual to restrain the control of power and result a stronger identity; certain concerns toward the uncontrolled ambition being destructive of its moral values and result a failure within the relationship.

    Read More

  • Conflict Of Power In Macbeth

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the biggest themes in Macbeth is power, and within the world of the Roman Era exist a deep conflict of power between most individual. Roman emperors were close to insane when it came down to who had the most power in their kingdom. A good example of a crazy emperor was Commodus (ruled AD 180 -192). Most of us know Commodus from the film Gladiator by Ridley Scott, but in during his time he was ten times worse than interpreted in the film. Commodus does kill his father in order to take the throne, but becomes absolutely insane taking down anything in his path. He had innocent people how looked and felt like a threat to his throne. The man became insane loosing everyone he once loved. Eventually a soldier in his path, sent by his own court

    Read More

  • Loss Of Power In Macbeth Essay

    1151 Words  | 3 Pages

    ‘Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts…perhaps the fear of a loss of power’ (John Steinbeck). Throughout all Shakespearian plays the bard has flawlessly emphasised the human experience and the universal themes surrounding it. Macbeth, a timeless classic, can be interpreted in a variety of ways but the themes of ambition, pride, and dehumanisation are always fore fronted. By exaggerating the emotions and traits the characters possess Shakespeare has made the plays relatable to people from all corners of the world as he has encapsulated the human emotions with such precision. The Tragedy of Macbeth displays the many emotions that are experienced today, even a good 400 years after the play was written.

    Read More

  • How Does Shakespeare Use Power In Macbeth

    542 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Macbeth” is a shakespearean tragedy that idolizes power and shows upon its victims how much greediness, damage, and conflict it can cause. Power is a very controlling factor that influences certain main characters who use the power to benefit themselves rather than others. The power conflicts with everyone within “Macbeth” and it all goes downhill with a deadly consequence.

    Read More

  • Power in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    2587 Words  | 6 Pages

    Power is something that is sought after by many people. Not everyone desires power, but the people who do will often go to great lengths to attain it. Some people desire power because they have a lust for superiority. Other people simply want to satisfy an overinflated ego. Whatever the reason is, the ambition for power can at times consume an individual. Some people can become so obsessed and desperate that they will even go against their moral principles to achieve power. They will commit acts that they never thought they would commit and they will turn into corrupt and evil human beings. In the end, they learn that their lust to achieve power only resulted in disaster. They try as hard as they can and at the end of the day all they get is a distorted and destroyed reflection of who they once were. The ambition for power will ruin a soul. This idea is expressed in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Julius Caesar. These plays feature characters that are driven to evil by the desire to achieve power. Shakespeare shows the reader that the ambition for power can turn an individual into a ruthless and unsympathetic savage through the characters of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Brutus and Cassius.

    Read More

  • The Behavior Of Primary Character In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the primary character, Macbeth, commits several immoral acts to consolidate his power and maintain his authority. Although others may view his actions as explanatory for his evil and condescending personality, it is more accurate that Macbeth has been influenced greatly by those around him and should not receive all the blame for his actions. Through Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness and connections to Macbeth, the original prophecy’s fate, and the apparitions obscure auguries, Macbeth’s actions and mentality were negatively impacted.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Conventional Morality

    1240 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shakespeare carefully examines the principles of conventional morality through figures such as Banquo and Macbeth, drawing powerful parallels between Macbeths descent into madness and the distortion of his beliefs. More so than in any other Shakespearean tragedy, Macbeth acts as an analysis of the evolution of self. This can be seen in the lines “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the' other.” In this soliloquy, Macbeth proves himself capable of both compassion and sensibility, freely admitting that it is ambition alone, that drives him to kill Duncan. This suggests that even at this early stage, Macbeths irrational thoughts and desires compromised his noble ideals.

    Read More

  • Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Macbeth is a tale set in the middle ages that demonstrates the corruption of political conquest and conspiracy. Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, commence on a destructive path in pursuit of power and influence. Power within itself hinders a threshold of such an empowering embrace through a mentality manifested by a prideful and egomaniacal person such as Macbeth, considering he was never before in a position of power. While the play unfolds, there are many devices the author demonstrates to describe the applicability Macbeth feels to get a sense of what it’s like to be king. Shakespeare uses literary elements such as rhythm, tone, and imagery to present an image of unveiling bloodlust and abuse of power shown by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

    Read More

  • Macbeth's Tragic Flaw

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Macbeth it is evident that Macbeth’s moral goes from honorable to wicked. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is regarded as “brave…--well he deserves that name—“, people looked up to Macbeth for his valiant character (1.1.16). However, not even he could overcome his tragic flaw: ambition. Thus, when Macbeth encounters the three witches that prophesize “Macbeth- thou shalt be king hereafter!” Macbeth is blinded by his ambition for power (1.3.52). Therefore, Macbeth goes on a killing spree, murdering anyone who threatens his power. Although Macbeth’s motive for killing remains the same, his mental state changes gradually changes.

    Read More

  • The Symbolism Of Power In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    289 Words  | 1 Pages

    One of the most profound theme in Act lll of Shakespeare's Macbeth is, Power. Poster three shows Power with a suit and tie .The symbol of the tie is a dagger with blood dripping down, representing the blood of the King and Banquo. The suit represents that everything that Macbeth is doing is just for business and all of it has to with him to becoming king. Macbeth has not only killed King Duncan, but has now hired hitmen to kill his best friend Banquo and his two sons,who was next in line for the throne. Duncan is in fear that there is still threats of the throne being taken away from him from Banquo's sons after they fled for safety from the hitmen. He talks to Lady Macbeth about how he feels and how he wants to deliver his plan, and to

    Read More

  • Power In Macbeth Essay

    971 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare’s Macbeth was as a Thane who took over after his father’s death, but would never rise above his post. Macbeth was never born into the role of King as the witches say “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”Act 1, Scene 3), but fought to attain the title. But considering the prevailing belief system of the time, the great chain of being, it is seen as an undeniable character flaw. Since Macbeth strived to ascend past his divinely defined place in the cultural hegemony, in doing so he upended the stability of his country.

    Read More

  • Power And Ambition In Macbeth

    567 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth clearly showed the most power and ambition in the play through his eagerness to eliminate not just real threats, but also theoretical. This is shown when Macbeth first distances Banquo before looking at new heights. This is also shown when Macbeth is crowned as the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is given a place of power and is still unhappy with this outcome and seeks higher power in his pursuit to be king, so much so that he commits to murdering the king for his own selfish ambition to have all the power he could muster and although he was pushed to murder by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he still had the ambition to take control of the power in Scotland

    Read More

  • Power And Evil In Macbeth

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    For centuries both royalty and peasants have believed in the idea of witches. Witches were thought of being evil, mischievous and cold blooded. This idea of witches is not different from the witches in the play made by Shakespeare, Macbeth. The witches in Macbeth are the stereotypical witches that cause misfortune and problems and is also based on the greek myth of the fate sisters. The witches are significant to the play as they help highlight the theme of power and evil. The witches have predicted events such as Macbeth becoming king and Banquo’s seeds becoming kings. Not only that, the witches told and showed Macbeth things he should not have seen or heard like showing Macbeth the line of descendants of Banquo as kings and telling Macbeth

    Read More

More about Use Of Power In Macbeth

Open Document