In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth strives to gain power, but eventually fails in his quest for ultimate authority. When Macbeth unleashes his “inner coldness” by murdering innocent people in order to take the throne, the “intoxication of power” overwhelms him. He begins to “lose direction” as he becomes “lost in the solitude of his immense power” (Marquez, 166). Macbeth can not control his lust for power, and becomes overwhelmed by his own emotions. A leader is characterized in this play as someone who can control the urges to take complete control, but can also be assertive and make decisions when necessary. Macbeth’s ambition is strong enough to give him the ruthlessness needed to gain power and become a leader, but he
…show more content…
At the beginning of the play, Duncan speaks of how he is glad to have worthy and loyal subjects like Macbeth. Yet, Macbeth has been poisoned by the prospect of power and breaks his loyalty to Duncan. At the beginning of the play, Duncan says, “There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face” (I. IV. 13-14). Macbeth uses this knowledge of Duncan’s naive mindset to overtake him. Macbeth says, “False face must hide what the false heart doth / know,” (I. VII. 95-96). Macbeth knows what the consequences are for committing treason and what it means to betray a friend, yet his infatuation with gaining power still overrides his morality and corrupts him. Murdering Duncan after exploiting his kindness starts Macbeth’s tragic fall. Macbeth’s weak moral and his inability to resist the desire for power are shown through Duncan’s …show more content…
This is presented at the end of the play between the difference of these men’s reactions to their family dying. When Macduff learns that Macbeth has had men go to his castle and kill his family, he is devastated. He says, “But I must also feel it as a man. / I cannot remember such things / That were most precious to me,” (IV. III. 261-263). He claims manliness is both being able to take revenge to avenge and to take a moment to show emotion and grieve. Macduff then chooses to use his emotions to avenge his family, while Macbeth hides behind his unloyal soldiers. On the other hand, when Lady Macbeth kills herself, Macbeth just thinks of it as an inconvenience. At the beginning of the play he considers Lady Macbeth his “Partner of greatness,” (I. V. 11). Yet by the end he says, “She should have died hereafter,” (V. V. 20). At first, Macbeth showed the signs of being a strong man who loves his wife as much as he loves himself. Yet, by the end of the play, he has been so corrupted by the lust for power that he does not show the same emotions he once did. This proves that Macbeth was a tragic hero because he had the potential to be great, yet became too obsessed with obtaining power which lead to his
At the beginning of the play, Duncan speaks of how he is glad to have worthy and loyal subjects like Macbeth. Yet, Macbeth has been poisoned by the prospect of power and breaks his loyalty to Duncan. At the beginning of the play, Duncan says, “There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face” (I. IV. 13-14). Macbeth uses this knowledge of Duncan’s naive mindset to overtake him. Macbeth says, “False face must hide what the false heart doth / know,” (I. VII. 95-96). Macbeth knows what the consequences are for committing treason and what it means to betray a friend, yet his infatuation with gaining power still overrides his morality and corrupts him. Murdering Duncan after exploiting his kindness starts Macbeth’s tragic fall. Macbeth’s weak moral and his inability to resist the desire for power are shown through Duncan’s …show more content…
This is presented at the end of the play between the difference of these men’s reactions to their family dying. When Macduff learns that Macbeth has had men go to his castle and kill his family, he is devastated. He says, “But I must also feel it as a man. / I cannot remember such things / That were most precious to me,” (IV. III. 261-263). He claims manliness is both being able to take revenge to avenge and to take a moment to show emotion and grieve. Macduff then chooses to use his emotions to avenge his family, while Macbeth hides behind his unloyal soldiers. On the other hand, when Lady Macbeth kills herself, Macbeth just thinks of it as an inconvenience. At the beginning of the play he considers Lady Macbeth his “Partner of greatness,” (I. V. 11). Yet by the end he says, “She should have died hereafter,” (V. V. 20). At first, Macbeth showed the signs of being a strong man who loves his wife as much as he loves himself. Yet, by the end of the play, he has been so corrupted by the lust for power that he does not show the same emotions he once did. This proves that Macbeth was a tragic hero because he had the potential to be great, yet became too obsessed with obtaining power which lead to his