The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a direct representation of how the love and desire for power can reveal one’s true character. Macbeth's decision to pursue the witches’ prophecies both times portrays his willingness to do anything for power and demonstrates that acting on selfish ambition can ultimately lead to one’s downfall.
When the trio of witches approached Macbeth with the first prophecies, they had every intention of ruining his life. Macbeth, of course, was unaware of this. The first prophecies were as follows: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All Hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1. 3. 48-50). At first, Macbeth thought little of the witches and their words. He thought that if these prophecies were to come true they would come true on their own; and, he would remain noble to his friends, king, and country. Overtime, however, the prophecies began to come true. He became Thane of Glamis and Cawdor - two things he never believed would happen. The only prophecy that hadn’t come true yet was becoming King of Scotland. After deliberating with Lady Macbeth, he decided to listen to the dark voices of reason. Macbeth took the last prophecy in his own hands …show more content…
Human nature in itself is a representation of cause and effect; every action has a reaction. Humans search for power, security, and self preservation. Murder is most often the result of the primal law of self-preservation which cannot be escaped by any person no matter his/her status (De Quincy 2). This is evidenced in scene 7 of act 5 by his killing Young Siward in battle because Young Siward was trying to kill him. Macbeth was no different than every other human, he just took things to the extremes. Because Macbeth was so obsessed with the three aspects aforementioned, everyone’s lives around him
When the trio of witches approached Macbeth with the first prophecies, they had every intention of ruining his life. Macbeth, of course, was unaware of this. The first prophecies were as follows: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All Hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1. 3. 48-50). At first, Macbeth thought little of the witches and their words. He thought that if these prophecies were to come true they would come true on their own; and, he would remain noble to his friends, king, and country. Overtime, however, the prophecies began to come true. He became Thane of Glamis and Cawdor - two things he never believed would happen. The only prophecy that hadn’t come true yet was becoming King of Scotland. After deliberating with Lady Macbeth, he decided to listen to the dark voices of reason. Macbeth took the last prophecy in his own hands …show more content…
Human nature in itself is a representation of cause and effect; every action has a reaction. Humans search for power, security, and self preservation. Murder is most often the result of the primal law of self-preservation which cannot be escaped by any person no matter his/her status (De Quincy 2). This is evidenced in scene 7 of act 5 by his killing Young Siward in battle because Young Siward was trying to kill him. Macbeth was no different than every other human, he just took things to the extremes. Because Macbeth was so obsessed with the three aspects aforementioned, everyone’s lives around him