...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
...Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s untamed morals cause destruction while their ambitions go unchecked. Macbeth is normally not inclined to commit evil deeds however Lady Macbeth is ambitious. Macbeth wants power however he is “too full o’the milk of human kindness” (act 1, scene 5, line 18) and needs help from Lady Macbeth in order for him to gain absolute power. Macbeth deeply desires power. The need for power motivates Macbeth to commit these evil deeds. However another obstacle is in Macbeth’s path to greatest power when King Duncan names his son Malcolm after “the Prince of Cumberland.” (Act 1, scene 4, line 39). King Duncan names his son the heir expectant to the throne which worries Macbeth. In addition to seeing Malcolm and King Duncan to a...
Words: 379 - Pages: 2
...William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth highlights the life of a general as he attempts to become the King of Scotland. In order to achieve this he is forced to murder several characters, including the prior king, Duncan. Although on the surface it appears that Macbeth is a member of the human race, when clawing deeper it is obvious that this is not true. Through Macbeth’s diction and comments from other characters in the play, it is quite obvious that Macbeth is a dog. Beginning in the first act of the play, Lady Macbeth makes it clear that she is aware of her husband’s true identity. While discussing Macbeth’s doubts on whether to murder Duncan, Lady Macbeth asks him, “What beast was’t, / then,” essentially asking him what kind of animal...
Words: 591 - Pages: 3
...How Are Power and Corruption Related? by Sebastian Sandoval "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." – Lord John Dalberg-Acton Macbeth and Lord of the Flies depict power and corruption. However in Macbeth's case it is his fear of being forgotten that leads to his ambitions for power and in turn corrupts him. In Lord of the Flies we see Jack's ambition to become chief corrupt him into doing whatever it takes to achieve that position. Both works seem to coincide with Hobbes theory that "man is naturally savage" and that savagery combined with the notion of power can only lead to one thing, corruption. In this essay the relationship between power and corruption will be explored through the lens of three texts: Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1623), Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954), and Of Man, Being the First Part of Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes (1651). Let us begin with The Tragedy of Macbeth. Throughout the play, we see Macbeth change from a noble and brave soldier into a shadow of his former self. In the beginning we see an internal struggle with the decision to kill King Duncan. This is most clearly depicted in act I when Macbeth says, "We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late,"(1.7. 28-30 ). It is after the murder of Duncan that we begin to notice a sinister change. Macbeth begins to murder anyone who has or could get in his way even his friend Banquo. In act 3 Macbeth's plan is first revealed in his conversation...
Words: 734 - Pages: 3
...tragic and heroic life. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the titular of the play is a great example of a tragic hero. Firstly, Macbeth is already of high status from the beginning of the play, and is brave in battle to win the war for Scotland; surely this makes him a hero. Next Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his, that is a desire for power and to be king. These flaws play an important role in the outcome of his life. Finally Macbeth’s obsession with the prophecies, and the murders he commits mainly leads to his downfall or periopetria. Although, a hero usually lives a triumphant life their personality can lead to their downfall and death. Too start off with Macbeth’s bravery and courage won the day for Scotland in defeating Norway and Macdonowald. First, brave and loyal Macbeth storms through the battle with Banquo defeating Sweno, in an insane fight for which his, “brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution.” Macbeth fought so courageously that the battle “ memorized another Golgotha.” In this case Macbeth is definitely a hero. Second, in the beginning of Act 1 scene 2 Duncan is in Awe of how valiant and noble of a soldier Macbeth is. “ O valiant cousin! Worthy gentlemen.” Even though Macbeth is Duncan’s cousin he is till filed with absolute joy about Macbeths accomplishment. Third, the king promotes Macbeth to thane of Cawdor. “ And with this former title greet Macbeth.” As Duncan takes this title away from the traitor and awards it to Macbeth, he becomes even more suspicious with...
Words: 816 - Pages: 4
...meaning to it. I chose Shakespeare’s Macbeth because it shows a lot of different elements and gives a great understanding. Shakespeare’s Macbeth expresses a lot about humanity and about the human experience. The story has so much meaning to it, and for you to understand it you have to really analyze and dig deeper into this story. People seem to take reading this story into a whole different perspective. Even though the story may show different negative sides to humans you have to really understand the story to say this. Shakespeare is a very influential poet he persuades and explains to the readers a lot of different things in his poems and short stories. Shakespeare is basically in this story telling humans to be aware of their surroundings because you never know when something my go bad. While on the other hand Macbeth’s themes and other literary elements usually talks about the disaster of something or just tragedy. In my opinion, his whole story would be considered as a tragedy. In this play it shows a lot of drama and gives off a fiery but attractive tome that draws the reader into the theme in the play. Shakespeare’s is known as the encyclopedia of humanities as they examine the most realistic and controversial issues of human nature. Shakespeare’s describes Macbeth’s inhumanity and human nature, which continually struggles against the evils in his soul. “To be or not to be” is about the choices we make in our everyday lives. I think Macbeth sometimes shows the negative side...
Words: 583 - Pages: 3
...“[I] Shall Sleep No More”: How Self Respect Affects One’s Response to Justice in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” William Shakespeare’s psychological drama “The Tragedy of Macbeth” follows a highly respected soldier caught between his morality and his passion for power. As a result of Macbeth’s overconfidence and fatuitous expectations, he goes down a tragic path ultimately isolating himself from others and leading to his downfall. It is obvious that Macbeth’s mind starts degenerating after murdering King Duncan for his selfish interests. When Macbeth overtakes the throne he uses the crown as an impenetrable shield which eradicates all justice that blocks his path. As Macbeth gets comfortable on his blood covered throne, he does not realize...
Words: 1536 - Pages: 7
...upon each other in order to carry out specific functions. Although these two specimen examples, among several others, of this archaic group of life are vastly divergent, they share a similarity in that they are lodged under the same general name: bacteria. Analogous to the word “bacteria,” the...
Words: 1223 - Pages: 5
...“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton). Throughout history, it is prevalent that the more power one desires, the more corrupt they become. This is due to the fact that the wish to attain power eventually overtakes one’s ability to have a clear conscience. Corrupt rulers will do whatever it takes to remain in control. Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, utilizes psychoanalysis to portray how the Macbeths’ lust for power ultimately leads to their downfall. To begin, Macbeth’s thirst for power commences upon hearing the Witches’ prophecy. The Third Witch proclaims, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.51). Macbeth and his companion, Banquo, find this prophecy of being king absurd to the point of being funny. Yet Macbeth secretly...
Words: 1860 - Pages: 8
...Is power everything that makes one feel worthy or in other words a hero? The answer to this is a resounding "no!" Every hero chooses the right path in order to be given an exceptional reputation of themselves. One does not simply become a hero by the powers they are graced with. Power can make either a ruthless or an admired figure, though it is up to them to choose the right path. The powers the various character's carry within themselves, negatively influences the society because of one's responsibility for their actions, dealing with the consequences and hurting the ones they love. When one fail's to accept responsibility for their actions there are a series of events that follow through. For example, in Lord of the Flies Jack did not...
Words: 1408 - Pages: 6
...Who was William Shakespeare? Shakespeare is William Shakespeare, one of the English-speaking world's greatest playwrights and poets, who possessed a great knowledge of human nature and transformed the English theatre. Yet many facts of his life remain a mystery. Some have been acquired from painstaking looks at the records of the time, so that this summary is based on generally agreed facts. It has been said that we only know three things about Shakespeare: that he was born, married and died. He was baptised on April 26, 1564; we do not know his birth date, but many scholars believe it was April 23, 1564. His father was John Shakespeare (who was a glover and leather merchant) and his mother Mary Arden (who was a landed local heiress). John had a remarkable run of success as a merchant, alderman, and high bailiff of Stratford, during William's early childhood. His fortunes declined, however, in the late 1570s. William lived for most of his early life in Stratford-upon-Avon. We do not know exactly when he went to London but he is said to have arrived in 1592. There is great conjecture about Shakespeare's childhood years, especially regarding his education. It is surmised by scholars that Shakespeare attended the free grammar school in Stratford, which at the time had a reputation to rival that of Eton. While there are no records extant to prove this claim, Shakespeare's knowledge of Latin and Classical Greek would tend to support this theory. In addition, Shakespeare's...
Words: 6999 - Pages: 28
...As a hero he has the accepted and the most ideal characteristics that are accepted in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The tale revolves around these characteristics to make up an epic tale. Beowulf is moulded to possess the virtues, traits and beliefs that were highly respected and requires in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Therefore, is displayed to have these virtues in his own actions and words during different circumstances in the tale. Reading Beowulf brings out lots of similarities with many pieces of literature from the Ancient Greek and the Modern literature. The Beowulf carries is similar to many Greek dramas that focused on a protagonist who was turned out to be a tragic hero. There was an element of belief in the gods who had super- human powers and had unique and ultimate special skills of their own, and overcame unsurmountable problems. However, in Beowulf, there is no Greek or Roman gods, but there are other supernatural beings defined as monsters that exist and are difficult to win over. Beowulf is extra-ordinarily strong, agile, and super intelligent. He is portrayed as one who overcomes many obstacles and was able to kill Grendel and his mother and the others in the sea. In addition, the wide character list and meaningful names is similar to those of other types of literature of the early eras. The story of Paradise lost opens in hell. Satan and his followers are recovering from defeat after they waged war against God. They decide to build a palace, known as Pandemonium...
Words: 2659 - Pages: 11
...most constructed of Shakespeare's plays. Every character is, for example, balanced by another similar, or contrasting character. Desdemona is balanced by her opposite Iago; love and concern for others at one end of the scale, hated and concern for self. The true and loyal soldier Cassio; balances the false soldier lago. These balances and contrasts throw into relief the essential qualities of the characters. Desdemona's love, for example, shows up a good deal more clearly in contrast to lago’s hate, and vice versa. The values of contrast are increased and the full range of human nature displayed by extending these simple contrasts into developing series. And this is what this essay is all about, the manipulative and darkest of Shakespeare’s all time characters,...
Words: 1482 - Pages: 6
...THE BARD & CO Book Review - The Bard & Co: Shakespeare’s Role in Modern Business Editors – Jim Davies, John Simmons & Rob Williams Published – Cyan Books Year – 2007 Place – London No author perhaps has had the kind of influence Shakespeare has had on our lives in different forms. This book is another example of Shakespeare’s influence, this time on the business world of today. Twenty six contemporary writers have paired with a Shakespeare play and one of the lead actors of the First Folio list to give us this delightful new insight of the play and the role. The book is a delightful collection of essays on Shakespeare’s role in contemporary business world. That we have very little biographical sketch to go by demands that “imagination has had to work harder than memory”. And given the “breadth, vivacity, wit and life” of Shakespeares’ plays and their performances, one cannot help but imagine that those actors would be chuckling in sotto voce behind their masks, at our attempt “to capture some sense of their lives and their contribution to the world” It is fitting that a book on Shakespeare’s role in modern business should be introduced by Dominic Dromgoole, the artistic Director of Globe Theatre. According to him, the theatre actor is the most impermanent of all artistes, considering that once a play is over, there is no remanence of his work except the printed “dramatis personae at the beginning of the published play”. He bows in obeisance to that “mysterious...
Words: 1958 - Pages: 8
...William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. From roughly 1594 onward he was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company of theatrical players. Written records give little indication of the way in which Shakespeare’s professional life molded his artistry. All that can be deduced is that over the course of 20 years, Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict. Known throughout the world, the works of William Shakespeare have been performed in countless hamlets, villages, cities and metropolises for more than 400 years. And yet, the personal history of William Shakespeare is somewhat a mystery. There are two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life. One source is his work—the plays, poems and sonnets—and the other is official documentation such as church and court records. However, these only provide brief sketches of specific events in his life and provide little on the person who experienced those events. Though no birth records exist, church records indicate that a William Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From this, it is believed he was born on or near April 23, 1564, and this is the date scholars acknowledge as William Shakespeare's birthday. Located 103 miles west of London, during Shakespeare's time Stratford-upon-Avon was a market town bisected with a country road and the River Avon. William...
Words: 2089 - Pages: 9
