Essay Sample: The Theme Of Power In Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a name that cannot be said in a theatre today without having been said to be cursed. This tragedy involves curses, lies, and evil. Throughout the play, Macbeth grows more and more wicked. Macbeth was very similar to everyone else at the beginning of the play. He was noble and loyal to his peers in the beginning. As time goes on, his ambition starts to take over which causes him to crave more and more power. Some may argue that Macbeth did not change within the play, however, Macbeth’s actions become cruel and immoral which leads to the downfall of his rulership.
To illustrate, Macbeth is portrayed as a diligent warrior who would do anything for his king and country. “For brave Macbeth/well he deserves that name/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel” (1.2.16-17), said by the Captian in the introduction. This line conveys that Macbeth is a worthy soldier. Shortly after the witches meet Macbeth, their words influence his thoughts. Macbeth starts to make his decisions based on what the witches tell him. “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs” (1.3.136-139). These lines reveal what Macbeth’s inner motives and thoughts are. This gives us a peek into what will happen in the future.
Nevertheless, as Macbeth becomes eviler his feelings start to shift. It starts with him having a desire for more power. His thoughts are that he must kill anyone who has gotten in his way, even if they have done nothing wrong. For example in act 3, he tells the murderers to kill Banquo and his son. They have seemingly done nothing wrong but he feels as if they are in his way because the witches had given Macbeth a vision. “Stick deep; in his royalty of nature/Reigns that which would be fear'd/Our fears in Banquo” (3.1.51-53). In this quote, Macbeth is explaining how Banquo could have the potential to be a great threat to him. Once Macbeth has killed Duncan, he proceeds to kill the guards and many other innocent people.
After this event, Macbeth has reached the point of no return. Macbeth cannot go back now because he already had innocent blood on his hands. “I am in blood / Stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er” (3.4.136–138). This line is Macbeth speaking about how it would cost him as much to go back as it would forward. A little while after, Macbeth starts becoming suspicious of Macduff. Macduff becomes a particular focus for Macbeth. This is because Macbeth is desperate to keep his power. “Sent he to Macduff?” (3.6.40). This line said by Lennox is showing how Macbeth had sent powers to kill Macduff. Later on, Macduff's wife and children are then killed by the forces of Macbeth.
Nonetheless, Macbeth is now basing all of his decisions on his ambitious desire. Macbeth mentions that he barely even knows what it feels like to fear things anymore. “I have almost forgot the taste of fears. “The time has been my sense would have cooled To hear a night shriek and my fell of hair Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir As life were in’t” (5.5.10-13). Moreover, these lines mean a lot to the story because it shows how much Macbeth has grown into an evil ruler. He is talking about how he normally would have been terrified if he had heard that scream before but now he is unfazed by it and it does not bother him. This shows how he has changed throughout the story. This demonstrates how cruel Macbeth has become.
Overall Macbeth started out as a noble warrior who was loyal to his king, and then he becomes the wrongful ruler of Scotland. Throughout the play, Macbeth's visions are altered by the witches that he encounters and the people he faces. His ambitions take over his mind and the only thing that he wanted was power.
