William Shakespeare’s tragedies and history plays embody themes that deal with the aspects of power and its effects on both the ruler and the state. Often protagonists are blinded by Machiavellian ambitions, leaving them susceptible to influence and bringing suffering to their people. His works The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Tragedy of Richard III, and The Life of Henry V all share themes regarding the power of language, the precedence of ruthlessness in attaining or maintaining power, and the effect of the political morel righteousness of the ruler on the state. Although probably not perceived as powerful as action, language, when wielded properly can be very effective both offensively and defensively to manipulate, control, inspire, and …show more content…
Instead, he wishes to fight alongside the fewest for a greater share of honor. He exclaims that for those who do not wish to fight with him to leave and by doing so he gives them freedom to choose to fight as opposed to being commanded to. In this he gains their devotion, courage, and loyalty which subsequently motivates the English army to win the battle. Henry probably doesn’t really prefer fighting with a small, severely outnumbered army, but he knows perception is everything. If he can effectively convince his soldiers that this is the only way he’d prefer to fight and they chose to fight with him, they would, to the last man. Thus, Henry’s proves language’s power to inspire in his ability to understand and captivate his soldiers, speaking to them as men of honor to replenish his army’s esprit de corps. Language has to power to excite emotion which can commit men to acts of evil or heroism, garnering power to the weak or weakening the …show more content…
Shakespeare would have been familiar with the principles set forth by Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince and his protagonists of Macbeth, Richard III, and King Henry V all portray the quality that Machiavelli outlines in Chapter XV, “it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity” (The Prince). In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth is considered honorable, but his wife considers him, “…too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” (1.5.16) Macbeth gets nervous when thinking about murdering Kind Duncan, he describes it as, “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs” (1.3.148-149). However, once Macbeth is crowned King he turns against his friend Banquo and devises a plot to murder him and his son, whom Macbeth believes according to the witches prophecy is a threat to the crown. Macbeth tells two would be murderous that, “…it was he, in the times past, which held you / So under fortune” (3.1.184-185) indicating that Banquo wronged the men and thus they should take their revenge by murdering Banquo and his son. Later Macbeth learns of another possible threat to the crown by way of Macduff. The witches cast a spell and the first apparition speaks to him, “…Beware Macduff” (4.1.81) to which he sends the murderers out again to capture Macduff and kill his
William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth with the influence of Machiavellian principles in accordance with his characters. This statement can be supported by the characteristics he carefully coordinated within
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.
Furthermore Guilt surrounds Macbeth for the third time when he sends out the murdered to kill Banquo, his old friend. Macbeth had no other choice but to get rid of Banquo and was also determined to get rid of Macduff’s family as Macduff fled back to England to join Malcolm. Banquo had witnessed the three witches and the disclosing of the
First, one should focus on the language and Henry's ethos. The soldiers are burdened with the thought of a
In Machiavelli’s The Prince, he stats that it is better to be feared than loved, but that one should avoid being despised and hated. With these concepts at hand we can compare these philosophies to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays Macbeth. This play can be analyzed through two important characters Macbeth and Duncan. They both have their own tragic flaws and how they came to power. But Macbeth had gained his title illegitimately.
It is in human nature that the more power one desires the more corrupt actions one must do to attain it. In Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, a Scottish noble's craving for power leads him to do terrible deeds that leads to his demise. Shakespeare shows that power corrupts by using Macbeth who corrupts under the thought of have power over others. Macbeth becomes corrupt under the thought of becoming king and gaining almost complete control over the people that he rules. Macbeth wants the power badly enough to do horrible deeds such as commit regicide. Lady Macbeth becomes very ambitious and allows herself to become seduced to the
Macbeth, an ironic tragedy of the 17th century, is perhaps one of the most appraised works by renowned playwright William Shakespeare. Such fame, though, can be justified through the play’s effective utilization of themes and their evocative subtext; however, Shakespeare particularly focusses on the theme of power and has done so with intent. Macbeth visualises power in two forms, being that of divine and supernatural. The play forms a representation that, alike with the socio-cultural beliefs of the Elizabethan era, divine power should not be tampered with. Otherwise, the consequences can be detrimental, as demonstrated by the painful ends of characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Both individuals use the process of illegitimate power to
“Nearly all men can stand the power of adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” (Abraham Lincoln). Someone can come off as a good person until they are given power. When someone has power, they may abuse it or treat others unfairly. Giving someone power and seeing how they act can show their true character. Macbeth is the most responsible for the events that occur in the play because he misconstrued the witches prophecies and was overcome by greed.
"I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked." (Act 5, Scene 3). Phrases as forceful as Macbeth's quote are not common day language, in fact, it is used except in times of intense emotion. Although the diction of Macbeth's words are from the Elizabethan Age, it's message rings true and clear. Macbeth clearly will oppose anything standing in the way of his passion. Critics often debate over the what tragic flaw of Macbeth lead to his downfall. Was it ambition or Lady Macbeth's influence? Hardly so. It was an obsession of power that Macbeth desired so much that led to his compulsive fixation and preoccupation of obtaining his desire by any and all means necessary. Thus, he inevitably
Throughout reading the play, Macbeth changes a lot from being a man of loyalty and honesty, to a man of whom is power hungry and greedy. This shows how the more power you receive the more power you want; which in many cases, such as this one leads to destruction. Many of the choices that Macbeth made were influenced by the power that he had, and this power began to take over him. This then lead to greed and destruction of not only others, but himself as well.
Niccolo Machiavelli, a Florence native, presented revolutionary ideas about leadership in his famous work “The Prince.” This sort of “how-to” handbook for rulers was written in a time when power was frequently changing hands, leaving nations in constant confusion (The Prince, 443). Machiavelli presented a way for these new leaders to maintain their power, encouraging such things as cruelty and fear as a means of governing the common people. This new concept was drastically opposed to the Christian ideals which had been taught for centuries. Despite its harshness, Machiavelli’s doctrine was accepted by many and has influenced some very popular men throughout history. One such person is none other than William Shakespeare. Multiple plays written by Shakespeare are stories of men in government who are either attempting to maintain their power or regain it. It is no wonder, then, why Shakespeare would refer to “The Prince” as a resource when writing these plays. One play in particular, “King Lear,” is evidence of Shakespeare’s acknowledgement of Machiavellian beliefs. Throughout this paly it may be witnessed how Machiavelli’s ideas on what a ruler should be were taken into account by the famous playwright, leading either to his characters’ success or downfall.
In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the most prevailing theme is the shift in power in the relationships of the central character. The main character of the play, Macbeth, experiences a shift in control of his relationships as he gains more power.
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.
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth was and remains a literary masterpiece that tells the story of corrupted power, the fall of a kingdom, and the destruction of countless innocent lives. This theme is not specific to Shakespeare’s play, however; it is perhaps one of the most common seen throughout the course of literary and real-life history. Two of the best examples of abused power are seen through Adolf Hitler and Macbeth - their rise to power, complete control of a country, and destructive rule mirror each other nearly exactly, and ruined the lives of countless families. Although one is fiction and the other real, both men left a horrendous legacy that will never be forgotten.
Shakespeare’s King Lear and Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus are two examples of early modern texts, one a tragedy and the other a morality play respectively, which deal with the theme of power at the crux of its narrative. Between both texts it is evident that different characters utilize their power or authority differently – some ‘unwisely’ whilst some ‘maliciously’. In either case, the use of power progresses the plays and drives the majority of main characters.