...blamed on only one. If one goes in, the other one will follow, whether it’s good or bad. In the play Macbeth, Macbeth is supported by his wife, Lady Macbeth to kill the king, Duncan and grab the royalty for themselves. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have many similar and different characteristics. This couple ate both egotistical, see things from face-value, and very power-hungry. While they are both very manipulative, Macbeth is easier to manipulate. Lady Macbeth is eventually guilt-ridden, while guilt never affects Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is also fine with only killing Duncan, whereas Macbeth murders everyone who he feels will take his royalty from him. The witches tell Macbeth the first three prophecies; Thane of Glams, Thane of Cawdor, and The future King. He is confused at first, but then called the witches to come back, and tell him more, this is his ego growing. He wanted to know, “to be King stands not within the prospect of belief, no more than to be Cawdor”. When news came that the Thane of Cawdor is now Macbeth, fuels the fire, his ego starts to build even more. “Glams and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind,” Macbeth says aside. Once he is king, to be sure he hangs on to his power, Macbeth visits the witches again for a second time, asks for prophecies. One of the four apparitions was that, “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” This apparition also contributes to Macbeth being egotistical, because it...
Words: 1266 - Pages: 6
...Introduce who you are and Banquo. Banquo is a character in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Banquo is a Thane which gives him land and makes him a chief or general of a military group. Macbeth Overview • The main character – Macbeth – is prophesied to be king from 3 witches • His wife Lady Macbeth urges the killing of King Duncan – it happens and the heir/s flee and Macbeth becomes king of Scotland. Macbeth is now filled with the want for power as dark thoughts flood his mind. He now wants to kill anyone that could be the next king, so he can stay king. In an attack on Macbeth following the realisation that he killed Duncan Macbeth is killed by Macduff. Who is Banquo? Sceptical, Loyal, friendly and trustworthy. Sympathetic loving and...
Words: 633 - Pages: 3
...In the play “Macbeth” written by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth was faced with Misplaced Ambition. Shakespeare's character Macbeth was a brave and faithful soldier. King Duncan was very fond of Macbeth who admire his bravery and consider Macbeth and outstanding general. The prediction that was preordained by witches was that one day Macbeth would be King and the mistake of confiding to Lady Macbeth about his destiny drove her to become power hungry. This mistake lead to Macbeth killing his cousin and close friend King Duncan. Macbeth’s decision to kill the king drives him mad and eventually leads to his timely demise. William Shakespeare uses Irony and Satire to show how Misplaced Ambition can lead to the rise and fall of...
Words: 958 - Pages: 4
...Power is something most people strive to get when they don’t have it. Power is what runs the world now and has for a long time. The problem with power is that it corrupts. John Emerich Acton once said, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Macbeth by William Shakespeare is the tragic story about the kind of destruction ambition and the struggle for power can cause. Even the noblest of people are corrupted by the idea of power and will do anything to achieve it. Symbolism, irony, foil, theme, and imagery are some of the literary elements and techniques Shakespeare uses to portray Macbeth, the protagonist, as a greedy tyrant willing to sacrifice all others to accomplish his goals. Shakespeare not only represents Macbeth as the protagonist, but also as an antagonist to himself and others in the play. The author characterizes Macbeth at first as an honorable man willing to fight for the freedom of his kingdom. Shakespeare foreshadows to the reader a developing change within Macbeth’s character after his encounter with the Weird Sisters. His convene with the witches arouses in Macbeth the idea of becoming king. The motivation for Macbeth to become king spurs from the prophecies told by the witches in the beginning acts of the play, which were evidently coming true as he gained the title “Thane of Cawdor” as the prophecy stated. Below the surface Macbeth is a melting pot of emotions, which engaged his character in the idea of becoming a supreme...
Words: 1642 - Pages: 7
...man’s character, give him power” Abraham Lincoln. In other words Abraham Lincoln states that one cannot truly see what character an individual has by how they overcome tribulation. Instead you must judge an individual's character on how they use their power when given. In Macbeth the desire for power is prominent in various characters. Such as Macbeth strong desire for power leads him to commit murders and betrayals in order to gain power.In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare Macbeth was a noble and loyal individual until three witches awakened the power hungry individual within Macbeth and corrupted his soul. Some people kill and manipulate others to gain power. Other times,...
Words: 623 - Pages: 3
...Power has been the aspect that has lead many leaders to become corrupt and loose their power or die trying to keep it. The power people chase is brought upon by selfishness and greed. Once one is corrupted with power they will do anything and everything they can to obtain more of what they want. How you use your power defines your character. In the play “Macbeth”, power is a corrupting force that can change a man’s character and cause him to act in evil ways. Corruption can be motivated by power and the advantages people see in it. In “Macbeth”, Macbeth gets a little power and soon begins to want it all. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth make a plan to kill Duncan, the king, “But I worry about weather or not you have what it takes to seize the crown.”...
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...Violence is something that is very prominent and affects our world today in many different ways. Violence happens all over the world on a daily basis, and acting violent is very tempting due to this. People have many different drives to their violence, for example to fight for their own survival, to gain power, and to get revenge on others. In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, and the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, violence is a major theme. In All Quiet on the Western Front, soldiers in World War I have to fight for their own survival every day. In The Odyssey a soldier returns to his kingdom after a twenty year journey from the Trojan War only to have to fight to reclaim his throne and revenge on the people who attempted to steal it. And in Macbeth, a man cheats his way into becoming the king of Scotland and then kills anyone who he believes is a threat to his throne. Humans are driven to engage in violence when they are fighting for their survival, revenge on others, and for their own power. Humans turn to violence when their survival is at stake. In the novel All Quiet on a the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, main character Paul and his friends are fighting for Germany in the First World War. While Paul is scouting out enemy...
Words: 1147 - Pages: 5
...William Shakespeare's Macbeth, is a tragic story that centers around a brave Scottish general named Macbeth; whose motives and actions were driven by the need and/or want of power. This was greatly shown when Macbeth's life changed when he was given his prophecy from the three witches, his sociopathic tendencies throughout the play, and how he takes extreme measures to protect his crown. In the beginning of the play, they describe Macbeth as a brave and worthy soldier, whom King Duncan thanks for his heroic service in the battle. As it states in Act 1, Scene 2: Duncan. "O valiant cousin! Worthy Gentleman!" Proving at one point, Macbeth was an intelligent, and dignified man who deserved everyone's respect. However, when both generals Macbeth...
Words: 811 - Pages: 4
...The quest for power could have both positive and negative effects, but in cases like these, the cons outweigh the pros. Although the outcome of a situation may depend on the person and their actions, there is always the chance that they could have a change of heart and the outcome could be positive. The majority of occasions has outcomes that are negative because of someone's quest for power. In the 1800s the United States began to imperialize other places in search of power. The Macbeths were greedy in their quest for power and resulted in more than one terrible outcome. For few reasons, stories such as The Metamorphosis could be considered an example of abuse of power as well as movies like Profoundly Normal. This is because they both show...
Words: 1239 - Pages: 5
...leaders get too “power-hungry” and do what will be best for them. Fortunately, many leaders fall into the realm of wanting to please all, this is a beneficial trait for a leader to have, a leader is meant to help the people, not do what they feel will help gain the most power. An effective leader is smart enough to know the difference from forcing their opinion on the people, like a dictator and making educated decisions when it is needed most....
Words: 916 - Pages: 4
...serpent under’t (1.v.63-66) Speaker: Lady Macbeth Just as Lady Macbeth was introduced in the play, he receives a letter from Macbeth stating the witches’ prophecy and how they came true. Once Macbeth arrives and informs her that the king is to arrive soon, Lady Macbeth says that he won’t be able to see tomorrow and explains how it is a good idea to kill Duncan so that Macbeth could become king. She explains that they will act as they normally would for any feast, and pass time until it is appropriate to carry out their plan. Macbeth should watch what he does and says; to look like a harmless and innocent flower. On the other hand, she wants him to be devious and act like a serpent hiding underneath the flower. By saying this, Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to hide the fact that they planned to have the king murdered, so that Macbeth won’t be suspected as the murderer. This quotation is an excellent example of animal imagery because Lady Macbeth emphasizes the fact that Macbeth is to act like a serpent. Serpents are one of the most common animals used for imagery. In this case, the serpent is used to symbolize the evil within Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. The theme which is best presented in this quotation is appearance and reality. Macbeth was known to be a loyal and true man who served the king. However, Lady Macbeth was able to persuade him into killing Duncan in order for Macbeth to gain the title as king. Killing the king was an example of an evil plan, but because they were to...
Words: 1352 - Pages: 6
...the world lives under a corrupt government. Corruption is inevitable and in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, he shows how even an honorable, loyal man can become a power-hungry tyrant. The corruption begins with the manipulation of others, who make Macbeth, a trustworthy general, doubt his loyalty and morals. By influencing him into thinking he should be king, they cause him to make irreparable actions. Macbeth’s example shows how manipulation can corrupt one’s mindset. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is approached by the witches proclaiming him as future king: “All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! (1.3.17)....
Words: 876 - Pages: 4
...force behind any successful man. However, a woman can also use her strong influence in a negative way. This can be seen in Macbeth, where Lady Macbeth is the evil force behind Macbeth's cruelty and evil doings. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is the main reason that Macbeth is transformed from a noble, respected Thane into a ruthless, murderous character. Lady Macbeth fuels his inner desire for power and brings forth his greed and ambition, which both eventually lead to his downfall. The tactics that Lady Macbeth use to drive her husband to this downfall are manipulation, dominance, and her evil nature. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into believing that he is a coward and a bad husband, which persuades him to agree to the murder of King Duncan. She dwells on the fact that he is a coward, when she says "My hands are of your colour, but I shame/ to wear a heart so white" (2.2.64-65). This instills feelings of embarrassment into his mind, and manipulates him into believing that if he does not murder King Duncan, he will be a weak, cowardly man. Not only is she challenging his manhood, by appearing to be the stronger and braver of the two, but also, by calling his heart "white", she is criticizing his cowardice. The fact that his wife is undermining his masculinity causes Macbeth to want to be stronger, and not to appear weak and timid. When Lady Macbeth yells "Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead/ are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood/...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...In 1606, The Scottish Play, also know as Macbeth, was casted in the theatres of England. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth (the main character) is told his fate by three witches. The information that is told to him was misleading.The play presents a series of experiences in which the main character makes decisions that ultimately lead to his death. Continually, throughout the play one will see Macbeth make decisions he regrets, however he turns around and repeats the same actions. Even though Macbeth was told his fate , it does not mean he could not be the author of his own book. Fate is when an event is unavoidable. The three witches tell Macbeth his fate when he is with Banquo, a friend, near Forres. One witch greets Macbeth with the title “Thane of Glamis”. The second witch greets Macbeth with “Thane of Cawdor”. The third witch makes a statement which hints to Macbeth becoming king (1.3.48-50). Banquo and Macbeth knew the witches made precarious remarks but Macbeth was intrigued. For instance, the second witch announced “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater” (1.3.65). The witches vanish, leaving no clarity for Macbeth, who asked many questions. He called them “ imperfect speakers” (1.3.70). Macbeth could not avoid becoming Thane of Cawdor and eventually the...
Words: 798 - Pages: 4
...The Role of Magic in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Hamlet, and Macbeth Like many other themes, magic and supernatural elements play a large role in many of Shakespeare’s works. The use of magic interests the audience, plays to the imagination, and adds dramatic intrigue to the story, even when the rest of the plot is comprised of believable events. These themes are most prominent in The Tempest, Hamlet, and Macbeth. In each of these plays, magic and supernatural occurrences not only play a large role in the plot, but also help to communicate various messages and literary value. Shakespeare utilizes magic and supernatural happenings in both positive and negative lights, depending on the purpose it serves in each of the mentioned plays. It is seen as a decision maker, nature, a prophet, a symbol of fate, and an equalizer. Regardless of its specific role in each play and its positive or negative depiction, it serves to move the plot forward through a force which acts beyond the capabilities and power of man, even man himself did conjure it. In The Tempest, we see an example of supernatural power conjured or exercised by man. Prospero, the wielder of this magic, uses magic as a means to set right that which was, in his opinion, wrong in his life and in the universe. In this play, we see magic used as an equalizer. Prospero uses his learned sorcery to reverse all of the supposedly false or unlawful happenings in his life, apparently feeling that these things were...
Words: 1605 - Pages: 7
