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Deceit In Macbeth

Decent Essays

Taylor Trejo
English 102
Research Paper
Final Draft
Deathly forces of Power and Deceit In both The Tragedy of Othello and The Tragedy of Macbeth, deceit and the need for power lead to death. Many emotions such as hate, greed, and jealousy drive the characters’ actions. Deceit is powered by jealousy and the need for power and is prominent in both plays and is a major cause of the deaths. Shakespeare shows in both plays how a little trickery, jealousy, and power can lead people to do things that they normally wouldn’t do. In Macbeth, Shakespeare shows how strong morals and values can be destroyed by deceitful acts and power. The evil effects of jealousy and power can affect even people trusted in high positions. The need for power is one of the most important forces in both plays, but especially in Macbeth. Shakespeare quickly shows what will happen during the The Tragedy of Macbeth, without all the details, by the witches telling Macbeth his future. The witches say:
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!(1.3.51-53)
At first Macbeth does not believe and is almost worried, so Banquo asks the witches to tell him his future, and the witches say:
Lesser than …show more content…

Iago feels that he was wronged by Othello and wants revenge. William Hazlitt said, “From this time, his raging thoughts "never look back, ne'er ebb to humble love," till his revenge is sure of its object, the painful regrets and involuntary recollections of past circumstances which cross his mind amidst the dim traces of passion, aggravating the sense of his wrongs, but not shaking his purpose.”(Hazlitt, Othello) This is all powered by jealousy and greed. At first Iago was just mad because he wanted more power but didn’t get it and is jealous of Cassio. Now he hates Othello because there are rumors that Othello has slept with his

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