Theme of Control in Macbeth Essay Sample

When considering the theme of control, it is vital to explore how Shakespeare utilizes each character in their own unique way to criticize the various aspects of Jacobean society. 

An important aspect of the play, where Shakespeare explores the theme of control, is in the opening scene of the witches. The witches create a sense of dark and evil immediately. Shakespeare suggests that fate and the supernatural will have a massive role throughout the play. The witches vow to meet with Macbeth when the battle is over. 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair', meaning that what looks good from the outside can be evil in their inner self. Shakespeare perhaps shows how the supernatural will have a a massive amount of control over the characters in this Jacobean play. As the public in the Jacobean era loved plays linked to witches and witchcraft. Shakespeare chose to write a play about this topic so that audience would be captured. Furthermore, James the king, at the time, was particularly interested and even decided to publish a whole book about it. 

Another important aspect of the play where the theme of control is explored. is through the character of Lady Macbeth. She is presented by Shakespeare as controlling, domineering and manipulative, the antithesis of the stereotypical woman of the time. Lady Macbeth is not presented as the traditional and obedient wifely figure. Instead, she is presented as powerful in her marriage. Her desire for power and control causes Duncan's murder to take place however she does not carry out any violent acts herself. This sense of control is further reinforced when Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into committing the act of regicide by questioning his masculinity, 'Are you a man?' Despite Macbeths fear and doubts starting to creep in his mind, he is inflicted by his controlling wife and decides to murder the king. 

Furthermore, Lady Macbeth takes control of the situation, when she instructs Macbeth to hide his true feelings, ' Be the innocent flower form the outside but the serpent form inside'. The reference to a serpent, perhaps the one that persuaded Eve and Adam to sin, shows how evil, treacherous and controlling Lady Macbeth's thoughts are. 

Finally, Lady Macbeth takes control of the situation when Macbeth is drowned in guilt and imagines Banquo's ghost while all the guests are present. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth 'it is a painting of your fear' and cleverly covers the matter up by sending the guests back to their homes and making the excuse that Macbeth is ill. Macbeth is presented as weak and scared in this scene whereas Lady Macbeth is presented as strong and powerful.

However, ultimately, at the end of the play, all of Lady Macbeth's power and control is demolished when (as many critics interpret) Lady Macbeth commits suicide and Shakespeare suggests that though she was presented as strong and powerful from the outside, she was weak and perhaps had no control left inside her. Some may argue that a supernatural force may have taken over her mind, causing her to influence Macbeth to murder. Shakespeare shows the downfall of people who try to take control over things that are not rightfully theirs such as the throne.