Macbeth's Quest For Power

Power is something one can find in all aspects of life. Whether in a relationship between two people or over an entire country, many people hold power in their lives. What is done with that power is up to the person who holds it and can be a strong reflection of their character. Too many people in positions of power become so wrapped up in wanting total control, that they lose sight of what is right and wrong. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, power is demonstrated many ways through many different characters. Power and ambition greatly affects the choices people make everyday.

In Macbeth, Shakespeare illustrates that ambition can lead to greed, which eventually leads to one’s demise in their hunger for power. In the exposition, Macbeth receives a prophecy to attain positions of power from the three witches, influencing his ambitious

Page 1 of 2 ZOOM Throughout history and literature, the desire for power has led people to go to great lengths to acquire it. Typically, all values and morals are deemed unimportant as long as power or status is achieved. In Macbeth, the internal and external struggle for power enhances the theme that power corrupts. Shakespeare uses the deaths of Duncan, Banquo and the attempt on Fleance to demonstrate the lengths to which Macbeth will go for power.

Macbeth, from Shakespeare’s world renowned Macbeth, serves as an example as the type of person who has their sight set on power and control and is willing to let their unchecked ambition get ahead of them. Macbeth had such a strong desire for power that he was even willing to commit the evil act of murdering King Duncan. Macbeth has chosen the path of evil, which for Macbeth this includes murdering loyal friends, scheming with apparitions and witches, and even murdering sleep, but now there is no turning back.

In this world, one of the strongest human drives seems to be the desire for power. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Thane Macbeth seeks to gain power over Scotland. Through Macbeth’s search for power, he must choose between what is morally right or his inner motives. Macbeth gains power over others through the murders of King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s entire family along with his servants. After each murder, Macbeth becomes more confident in his search to gain power.

In conclusion, Macbeth abused the power he attained when he became King. Macbeth became his own worst enemy when he had no control of his actions which led to the corruption of his soul. However, Macbeth cannot be the blamed for his actions because his greed for more power can be justified with anyone who has a position of power. An individual with power is not willing to give up the power they have and is willing to do anything to maintain their power. Macbeth went overboard however, because he had no sense of what was right and what was wrong.

The Corruptive Power of Ambition Throughout history, ambition has been a driving force, both for individuals and society. Ambition is an eager and sometimes an exorbitant desire for elevation, honour, power, supremacy or simply the achievement of anything. Ambition is basically an instinct. No matter what background or age you are, you are ambitious in some way. This eagerness is not only a driving force for both individuals and society, but could also end in a fiasco.

In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the protagonist winds up in a downward spiral invoked by his blind ambition of becoming king leading him to a tragic fate. Macbeth, who was once favorited by Duncan, king of Scotland, falls victim to power similar to the way Lucifer was God’s most favorite angel, but ends up turning on God because he succumbed to his lust for power. Although Macbeth originally endeavors to refrain from his urges to wrongfully gain power, he eventually betrays his benevolent king, his country, and his dear best friend, Banquo, and this is shown by Shakespeare’s utilization of the garden motif. In the beginning, Macbeth can be described as the bravest, most loyal nobleman fighting for his country until the three witches

Man's evil aspirations of power will ultimately lead to deadly conclusions. Macbeth’s determination to control his destiny results in his own madness. The seeds of his malevolent intentions begin with the prophecy of the three witches. While future royalty seems highly unlikely, since he is only the Thane Of Glamis and not inline for the throne, the trajectory of his ultimate greed for power has begun. It doesn’t take long for Macbeth to consider the possibility, “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me” (I.III.58-59).

Shakespeare spends an inordinate amount of time ruminating on basic questions surrounding power: how does one acquire it, can they keep it for any prolonged period of time, and is it inherently corrupting? After seeing all these questions answered primarily through the death of characters, it would not be unexpected for readers to believe that Shakespeare meant for the latent antagonist of his histories and tragedies to be power. Therefore, this essay will examine the performance of power in Macbeth to demonstrate that the model given to readers by Shakespeare for its acquisition is one that requires individuals to take on a highly performative and unsustainable nature. This performative nature is exemplified by the many acts and identities

The desire to have power in Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a battle between ambition and loyalty to discover the hidden facade in Macbeth. Along the play, power is a weapon that Macbeth is striving to receive in order to be king and struggles to free himself from the consequences he performed. Macbeth struggles to free himself from the guilt he carries when he assassinates King Duncan in his castle. Lady Macbeth plants the seed of evil in Macbeth when she convinces him to kill Duncan to get to the throne.

Some may say that Macbeth always had a deep desire to be the king, and others may say that Macbeth’s desire was established after hearing the witches’ prophecies. Maybe he always wanted the throne, and maybe he did not. However, the solution to this intriguing discrepancy lies in the words of Macbeth itself. The play contains the evidence necessary to prove whether or not Macbeth always craved royalty. In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth did not have any evidential desires to be the king, or even the Thane of Cawdor before meeting the witches and hearing the prophecies they spoke to him.

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the main character’s goal is to become the king. Macbeth seeks to gain as much power as he possibly can and this ultimately leads to his demise. He hears the prophecy of the witches and becomes so obsessed with fulfilling the prophecy because it states that he will eventually become king. Having this information, Macbeth goes out of his way to force the prophecy to come true. He becomes so power hungry that he tries to force fate leaving him with an undeniable guilt for his actions, the loss of love from the people who once loved him, and a harsh death in the end.

No wildfire burns without ignition, and no misdeed comes about with the perpetrator alone at fault. There are always others who had an impactful effect. This is demonstrated in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where an extensive cast of characters are developed through their roles in the titular character’s road to condemnation. Macbeth’s quest for power came to fruition through the temptation and support of other characters, demonstrating that without others, he would not have met his downfall.

“I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other‘.” William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ explores the central themes of guilt, ambition and power. Yet Shakespeare’s intentions were to suit the expectations and knowledge of the audience in the Elizabeathan society.