Corruption and Power in Macbeth Essay - 754 Words

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Personal power has the ability to be essential to greatness, and at the same time is able to destroy a person’s nature. In the drama Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character, Macbeth, becomes corrupt through power that he gains. The play shows that even someone who starts out like Macbeth and does not crave power, will do terrible things to gain authority and power. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The play begins with the characters King Duncan and Malcolm talking about a â€Å"good and hardy soldier† (Act I: ii: 4). This man they are talking about is the stories protagonist, Macbeth. Macbeth is a good soldier who is devoted to his king. Then, Macbeth and his friend come across three witches who prophecy†¦show more content†¦Lady Macbeth, however, prevails and Macbeth kills Duncan. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Macbeth does not become totally corrupted at first after killing Duncan. Actually, Macbeth stays very skeptical and weary of the crime he has committed so much that he refuses to go back into Duncan’s room and finish the job (Act II: ii: 48). While Macbeth seems very sting on the outside, one sees how weak his is mentally. Macbeth craves being able to be completely powerful, and after the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth becomes much more involved in the thought of becoming all-powerful. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;After Duncan’s murder, Macbeth realizes that the witches’ prophecy about him becoming king has come true, and he feels that it is his destiny to be the king of Scotland. Macbeth begins to believe in everything the witches say. Macbeth, however, does not want to risk giving up his crown to the son of Banquo like the prophecy said. Thus, Macbeth hires three murderers to kill both Banquo and his son. He tells the hired murderers to quot;leave no rubs nor botches in the work . quot; (Act III: ii: 133). By having both men killed, no one will be in line to take the crown from Macbeth, and he will secure his position has king. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Macbeth learns that Banquo’s son, Fleance, has escaped the murderers and fled into a safe county, so he turns to the final opposition to his reign asShow MoreRelatedCorruption of Power - Macbeth1801 Words   |  8 PagesShakespeare’s bloody and tragic play Macbeth, written in the seventeenth century, portrays blind ambition, appearances can be deceiving and corruption of power. It follows the reasons behind Macbeth’s downfall. The play analyzes how other outside forces can easily change the path of ones desires and decisions. The witches’ intrusion, Lady Macbeth’s manipulation and Macbeth’s dark desires all interfere and manipulate Macbeth’s decisions. 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