The Exposure of Ambition and Power Does the possession of power reveal our character, values, and who we really are? Across the world there are leaders who with the possession of power morph into someone else. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly All Men Can Stand Adversity, But If You Want To Test a Man’s Character, Give Him Power”. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth is portrayed as a valiant hero in the beginning. However, a prophecy crowning him as King fuels Macbeth’s ambition pushing him to murder his King for the throne. When in power, Macbeth turns from the valiant hero into a tyrannical ruler and murderer. Throughout the play Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays how the possession of power determines someone's
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King Duncan rewards him a new title, “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death/ And with his former title greet Macbeth”(I.II.64-66). The irony of this statement is that King Duncan does not realize that the Thane of Cawdor will continue to deceive, except it will be under the mantle of Macbeth. With these titles Macbeth obtains more power, which fuels his ambition after a prophecy by the witches, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!...All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”(I.III. 48,50). From this excerpt it displays the rising ambition in Macbeth who soon thinks to himself, “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me”(I.III.143). From both those excerpts a change in Macbeth's character is shown, his previous characteristics have begun fading and would continue to do so. Shakespeare also foreshadows what will occur by displaying Macbeth’s interest in this prophecy crowning him King, which he would soon act upon with murder. With encouragement from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth decided to murder the King in his castle so that he may ascend to the throne and after he has done so he remorsefully exclaims, “ To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself”(II.II.76). Shakespeare displays how Macbeth is transitioning officially into someone else from his possession of …show more content…
Soon after being crowned, Macbeth looks toward Banquo with envy who was promised a line of Kings in the Witches’ prophecy. This envy is displayed in his monologue, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown/ And put a barren scepter in my grip,”(III.I.61,62). Customs in medieval times placed a set of values and character each man should follow, for example a vassal or subject should be content in their position. Macbeth is complete opposite and displays what customs dictated as corrupt. This envy led to his order to murder Banquo his best friend, “Both of you/ Know Banquo was your enemy.”(III.I.115). The willingness of Macbeth to murder his best friend and longtime companion to maintain power displays the true character of Macbeth which lurked beneath him, until the possession of power. These murders do not end, his discovery that Macduff is a threat to power leads to his decision to murder him and his family, “Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword/ His wife, his babies and all unfortunate souls/ That trace him in his line”(IV.I.173,174). The complete character that Shakespeare indirectly characterize vanishes and is quickly replaced with a dishonorable murderer. Shakespeare portrays how corrupt and dishonorable Macbeth truly is and his willingness not only to kill a best friend, but also innocent children and women. It begs the question,
King Duncan rewards him a new title, “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death/ And with his former title greet Macbeth”(I.II.64-66). The irony of this statement is that King Duncan does not realize that the Thane of Cawdor will continue to deceive, except it will be under the mantle of Macbeth. With these titles Macbeth obtains more power, which fuels his ambition after a prophecy by the witches, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!...All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”(I.III. 48,50). From this excerpt it displays the rising ambition in Macbeth who soon thinks to himself, “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me”(I.III.143). From both those excerpts a change in Macbeth's character is shown, his previous characteristics have begun fading and would continue to do so. Shakespeare also foreshadows what will occur by displaying Macbeth’s interest in this prophecy crowning him King, which he would soon act upon with murder. With encouragement from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth decided to murder the King in his castle so that he may ascend to the throne and after he has done so he remorsefully exclaims, “ To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself”(II.II.76). Shakespeare displays how Macbeth is transitioning officially into someone else from his possession of …show more content…
Soon after being crowned, Macbeth looks toward Banquo with envy who was promised a line of Kings in the Witches’ prophecy. This envy is displayed in his monologue, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown/ And put a barren scepter in my grip,”(III.I.61,62). Customs in medieval times placed a set of values and character each man should follow, for example a vassal or subject should be content in their position. Macbeth is complete opposite and displays what customs dictated as corrupt. This envy led to his order to murder Banquo his best friend, “Both of you/ Know Banquo was your enemy.”(III.I.115). The willingness of Macbeth to murder his best friend and longtime companion to maintain power displays the true character of Macbeth which lurked beneath him, until the possession of power. These murders do not end, his discovery that Macduff is a threat to power leads to his decision to murder him and his family, “Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword/ His wife, his babies and all unfortunate souls/ That trace him in his line”(IV.I.173,174). The complete character that Shakespeare indirectly characterize vanishes and is quickly replaced with a dishonorable murderer. Shakespeare portrays how corrupt and dishonorable Macbeth truly is and his willingness not only to kill a best friend, but also innocent children and women. It begs the question,