The Loss Of Humanity In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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All humans aim to be successful in life, many literary pieces demonstrate how people will do anything in order to gain success, or stay alive. Many are consumed by the idea of advancing in society and in power, and this leads to people to lack both loyalty to others and moral standards. Many literary pieces demonstrate that humans are driven by both self gain and self preservation, and sometimes the obsession with this idea leads many to lack morals and cast away loyalties. All humans hope to advance their position in life at some point, and for many success is considered the driving factor of existence. Society is set up so that the higher up you are the better your life will be, this ideal leads to many casting away moral standards in order …show more content…
Dying means the end to all of the success someone has obtained, and many people will do anything in order to remain in control. In Macbeth, macbeth gains the title of king, but he is threatened by the prophecy of the witches. Macbeth realises that anything in his way risks the loss of his power, and he is willing to do anything in order to remain in power, “No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so, For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered” (Macbeth III, i, 67). Macbeth is willing to kill his once best friend, Banquo, because he believes that Banquo is the last tie to anything that can threaten his power. He demonstrates self-preservation by his wild actions in order to remain in power. The force that drives his behavior leads him to abandoning once close loyalties. Self-preservation is also seen in people who will do anything to stay alive, not just keep power. Frankenstein realises that his monster has ruined his life, and sees the malicious crimes that the monster has committed. “‘I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe forever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile’” (Shelley 150). Frankenstein knows that the monster is capable of murdering others, but he still agrees to create another monster because his life, and the life of others he loves are threatened. Frankenstein is willing to create another monster in order to stay alive, disregarding moral standards for a second time to create another monster. Self-preservation leads many to disregard moral ideas and cast away loyalties in order to maintain power or stay

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