Passion is a powerful emotion that motivates individuals to progress in life; however, when a passion becomes an obsession, it may result in disastrous outcomes. In the tragedy, Macbeth, William Shakespeare suggests that when one becomes too consumed with a ruling passion, one is unable to make rational decisions, leading to detrimental consequences. When a passion becomes an obsession, one begins to think illogically which causes one to disregard their morals and relationships, eventually leading to self-destruction. When one becomes too preoccupied with a passion, one begins to lose their sense of rationality, causing them to lose their morals. In the beginning of William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth, King Duncan presents Macbeth as
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At first, Macbeth is hesitant about the murder as he says, “He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.” (I. vii. 12-20) This quote makes it evident that Macbeth is having second thoughts about murdering Duncan as it would be morally wrong to do so; Duncan trusts Macbeth as Macbeth is his host and they are also cousins. Through this line, Shakespeare conveys the message that Macbeth did have morals, but he quickly loses these morals due to his desire for power. After Macbeth kills King Duncan he expresses a sense of guilt, “To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself.” (II. ii. 88-90) but his guilt quickly disappears after he attains the crown, and due to this he does not think twice about committing other murders as he is intent on maintaining his power. He decides to kill Banquo and his son so that their descendants will never be king; he kills Macduff’s entire family because Macduff flees the country; and he kills Duncan’s servants so they are not able to claim …show more content…
In Act One, Scene 3, when the three witches tell Macbeth a prophecy that he will become king, they also tell Macbeth’s friend, Banquo, that he will be the father to many kings but he will not become king himself. After Macbeth becomes king, he is concerned that the witches’ prophecies will come true for Banquo as they came true for him. Due to this, he decides to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, in order to stop Banquo’s line from becoming king; he succeeds in killing Banquo and he expresses no feelings of guilt after killing him. Through this, Shakespeare suggests that when individuals become too consumed in a ruling passion, they take extreme measures to maintain this passion, putting toil on their relationships with the people around them. Another example of this would be when Macbeth kills King Duncan despite the fact that Duncan trusted him and was a cousin of his. Macbeth makes an irrational decision and disregards their relationship as he is solely focused on attaining the crown. Macbeth was so intent on maintaining his power that he began to demonstrate no concern for his loved ones or the people around him. Macbeth’s passion caused him to lose his sanity and not only did he harm himself in the end, he also harmed the people around him. Through this, Shakespeare demonstrates that when one
At first, Macbeth is hesitant about the murder as he says, “He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.” (I. vii. 12-20) This quote makes it evident that Macbeth is having second thoughts about murdering Duncan as it would be morally wrong to do so; Duncan trusts Macbeth as Macbeth is his host and they are also cousins. Through this line, Shakespeare conveys the message that Macbeth did have morals, but he quickly loses these morals due to his desire for power. After Macbeth kills King Duncan he expresses a sense of guilt, “To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself.” (II. ii. 88-90) but his guilt quickly disappears after he attains the crown, and due to this he does not think twice about committing other murders as he is intent on maintaining his power. He decides to kill Banquo and his son so that their descendants will never be king; he kills Macduff’s entire family because Macduff flees the country; and he kills Duncan’s servants so they are not able to claim …show more content…
In Act One, Scene 3, when the three witches tell Macbeth a prophecy that he will become king, they also tell Macbeth’s friend, Banquo, that he will be the father to many kings but he will not become king himself. After Macbeth becomes king, he is concerned that the witches’ prophecies will come true for Banquo as they came true for him. Due to this, he decides to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, in order to stop Banquo’s line from becoming king; he succeeds in killing Banquo and he expresses no feelings of guilt after killing him. Through this, Shakespeare suggests that when individuals become too consumed in a ruling passion, they take extreme measures to maintain this passion, putting toil on their relationships with the people around them. Another example of this would be when Macbeth kills King Duncan despite the fact that Duncan trusted him and was a cousin of his. Macbeth makes an irrational decision and disregards their relationship as he is solely focused on attaining the crown. Macbeth was so intent on maintaining his power that he began to demonstrate no concern for his loved ones or the people around him. Macbeth’s passion caused him to lose his sanity and not only did he harm himself in the end, he also harmed the people around him. Through this, Shakespeare demonstrates that when one