Power is everything, it defines the good from the evil. It has been said that “with great power comes great responsibility”. Macbeth is a character whose downfall was brought on by power. In the play by William Shakespeare, Macbeth quickly goes from a lovable, kind leader and turns into a harsh tyrant. This is why, if unchecked, power can lead to greed, violence, and selfishness.
The ability to have power leads Macbeth to become greedy: always wanting more and more. His greed starts after the first prophecy of the witches becomes true. After he realizes he became the Thane of Cawdor, he says “That is a step / On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, / For in my way it lies.” (I.iv.50-52). Macbeth is talking about his desire to become king very shortly after becoming Thane of Cawdor. Shortly after this he murders Duncan, Macbeth talks about how he feels like he needs to feel safe, stating that the witches “placed a fruitless crown [on his head] / And put a barren scepter in [his] grip” (III.i.60-75). Macbeth is angry that Banquo’s children will become kings, and becomes greedy as he wants his own children to become king, betraying and killing his friend. Power made Macbeth very greedy. …show more content…
When he is about to murder Duncan, Macbeth starts to hallucinate, saying “Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee” (II.i.33-34). This dagger symbolizes the violent act that he is about to commit. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as a kind man. Lady Macbeth supports this, saying that Macbeth is “too full o' th' milk of human kindness”, meaning that he is extremely kind (I.v.3-9). However, he quickly becomes evil, making many people hate him. Power corrupted Macbeth and made him very
The ability to have power leads Macbeth to become greedy: always wanting more and more. His greed starts after the first prophecy of the witches becomes true. After he realizes he became the Thane of Cawdor, he says “That is a step / On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, / For in my way it lies.” (I.iv.50-52). Macbeth is talking about his desire to become king very shortly after becoming Thane of Cawdor. Shortly after this he murders Duncan, Macbeth talks about how he feels like he needs to feel safe, stating that the witches “placed a fruitless crown [on his head] / And put a barren scepter in [his] grip” (III.i.60-75). Macbeth is angry that Banquo’s children will become kings, and becomes greedy as he wants his own children to become king, betraying and killing his friend. Power made Macbeth very greedy. …show more content…
When he is about to murder Duncan, Macbeth starts to hallucinate, saying “Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee” (II.i.33-34). This dagger symbolizes the violent act that he is about to commit. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as a kind man. Lady Macbeth supports this, saying that Macbeth is “too full o' th' milk of human kindness”, meaning that he is extremely kind (I.v.3-9). However, he quickly becomes evil, making many people hate him. Power corrupted Macbeth and made him very