Essay about Macbeth and Power

Submitted By mccullion11
Words: 2130
Pages: 9
Open Document
1

Macbeth: Power Motif
Throughout the Shakespearean play of “Macbeth” many motifs have been recognized.
Motifs are reoccurring events that help establish or develop a theme. They are repetitive acts of themes that dominate the literary work and context. During this play, some examples of strong motifs have been animal imagery, apparel imagery, child/childhood imagery, disease/heath imagery, light/dark imagery, and many more. There are many examples throughout this play that assure that the power motif is the strongest and most occurring. For instance, some examples include: Lady Macbeth manipulated her husband on his power rampage by first killing
Duncan; Macbeth had the three murderers try to kill Banquo and Fleance; Macbeth shrugs off his wife’s sudden death. All of these examples have led to nothing but repetitive dramatic event leading to nothing but failure in the end.
This motif was first in progress starting from the letter Macbeth sent to Lady Macbeth stating the prophecies. In the Scene 5 summary of Act 1 it says “She is determined Macbeth will be king. However, she fears he lacks the courage to kill Duncan.” From this point, the first prophecy has already come true so Lady Macbeth tries to manipulate and persuade her husband into killing Duncan so he can become the new Thane. She feels this is the fastest way for her husband to become king and live out his destiny. This plan sets into place as Duncan and his party arrives at the Macbeth residence awaiting the arrival of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is very hyped up about this plan that she needs to make sure her husband does not blow his cover and show it on his face. “Your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters.
To beguile the time, look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue.”

2

(1.6.59­62). Macbeth then leaves Duncan at the table and ponders his second thoughts about his murderous acts. However, before he has a chance to reconsider, Lady Macbeth charges in and accuses him of being a coward since no true man would back out of their commitment. At this point, Lady Macbeth has persuaded her husband to follow through with the plan. Lady Macbeth hints to her husband that it is time and Macbeth stabs Duncan with the daggers. Not only has this act started Macbeth on the way towards becoming the new king but it has also started Macbeth onto the route of appalling behavior and the willingness to kill anyone that interferes with him becoming king. This motif contributes to the fact that power is more important than anything. This prophecy helps exemplify how power is a major factor in this act because clearly Lady Macbeth wants nothing but to know her husband is the head of royalty. Her motives to manipulate
Macbeth show the higher range of power she has and how she is only concerned about gaining more. In other words, getting what she wants is more important than caring if it involves stabbing friends along the way to get there. Therefore, the prophecy is filled and the power motif finally sets in.
After the death of King Duncan, Macbeth’s confidence sets in. Macbeth expresses his hatred towards Banquo because of the next prophecy. This prophecy, told by the witches, exclaims that Banquo and his son, Fleance, are the next in line to become the King. Macbeth is already so into gaining more power that he hires three murderers to help him with his plan on murdering them. “It is concluded. Banquo, they soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight.”(3.2.140­141). This quote notifies that Macbeth is in such a rush to become king that he wants the three murderers to get rid of Banquo and his son before the banquet the following

3

night so that they will have no chance in stepping up to fulfill the witches’ prophecy of them.
These craves of power Macbeth is starting to have has shown that he could care less about anyone but himself. He knows he
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Macbeth and Power

Lack Of Power In Macbeth

The Tragedy of Macbeth tells a story about a man who couldn’t control himself. That man’s name was Macbeth. Macbeth was told a prophecy from three evil witches that informed him that he would one day become king. The gain/lack of power ultimately proved to be too much for Macbeth to handle. In Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth’s lack of power affected his relationship with King Duncan and then once he gained power his relationship with Banquo and Lady Macbeth was affected. In Act 1, Scene…

Words 912 - Pages 4

Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Aung San Suu Kyi) In the play "Macbeth", written by Shakespeare, one of the main themes of the story is that power corrupts. Shakespeare shows how dangerous a kingdom of corrupt higher ups can be. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are prime examples as the most corrupt of all characters…

Words 547 - Pages 3

Fluctuation Of Power In Macbeth

army, and Macbeth. Where Macbeth faces a series of events including these characters who cause his want for power to become overwhelming. The Weird Sisters make predictions of Macbeth’s life and corrupt him into thinking power is worth everything. When these predictions come true, Macbeth is faced with the reality of death along with other characters in the play. Throughout Macbeth one must determine who remains in control due to the fluctuation of power. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s power is retained…

Words 494 - Pages 2

Control Of Power In Macbeth

“They that have power to hurt and will do none, That do not do the thing they most do show” from “Sonnet 94” by William Shakespeare explains that those with power can control it either for the better or the worse. However, sometimes your personality traits may play a role in whether or not you can control it. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character, Macbeth struggles with controlling his power. Macbeth is a powerless person because he easily manipulated causing him to be psychologically…

Words 544 - Pages 3

Macbeth Power Quotes

Power can change people in a way that is bewildering. Power can make anyone so eager to control, that he or she will be resolute to get it, no matter what obstacle stands in their way. The Shakespearean play, Macbeth is a prime example of how power impacts an individual. Throughout the play, Macbeth faces a constant struggle for power, and his thirst for power leads to many unjust, and corrupt decisions. Also, if an individual obtains power over time, that power will alter one’s personality, making…

Words 884 - Pages 4

Power In Macbeth Essay

Is power a necessity to be in control? Is control a negative or a positive? Macbeth is a comedy written by William Shakespeare about a man named Macbeth. Macbeth is told by a group of three witches that he will become King and is tragically overthrown due to a prophecy made by the three weird sisters. Throughout the comedy, power is shared my Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the three weird sisters. Only one of them is able to have the most control. First, Macbeth holds power by using force to obtain…

Words 722 - Pages 3

Gender And Power In Macbeth

Relationship between Gender and Power in Macbeth In Macbeth, William Shakespeare focuses on the association of gender and power. This idea is the subject of many themes throughout the play, making it an important component in the tragedy. While men use power as a force to impart their will, women use it to manipulate, and this sometimes leads to their own detriment as in the case of Lady Macbeth. Throughout the play, Shakespeare shows how masculinity and femininity are forms of power in this time period, and…

Words 660 - Pages 3

Power Corrupt In Macbeth

Is Power Corruptive? A few years ago, I was a part of a volleyball team. Our team wasn’t really known for our huge amount of wins, but rather our amount of losses. That was when our head coach decided to get a new coach. Maybe this new coach would be beneficial to the team. Maybe we could actually win a game! But we didn’t receive what he hoped for. The power she had over the team would eventually lead some of the players on my team to make a hard decision. Power is the ability to influence your…

Words 837 - Pages 4

Importance Of Power In Macbeth

The necessity of power can be overwhelming, but one should be careful of what they wished for, because that might become the cause of their downfall. This is exceptionally true in the play Macbeth that was written by William Shakespeare. The man, Macbeth, was a general of a Scottish army which where visited by three Witches after the Bloodshed of the war. These Witches granted a prophecy that Macbeth will become king of Scotland. Encouragement from his wife, Lady Macbeth, -Macbeth seeks out to Murder…

Words 1088 - Pages 5

Macbeth Power Analysis

Power can be a tool used to achieve a man’s heartfelt desire. Such is the case for the protagonist, Macbeth, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After three crones inform him of three prophecies: thane of Glamis and Cawdor, king hereafter, and Banquo’s children will become king, Macbeth is not content with allowing fate to run its course. Soon enough, he joins with his wife to commit murder and ensure that the most sought after prophecy is fulfilled, a kingship. As Macbeth attempts to protect his ambition…

Words 1051 - Pages 5