Macbeth Power Analysis

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Power can be a tool used to achieve a man’s heartfelt desire. Such is the case for the protagonist, Macbeth, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After three crones inform him of three prophecies: thane of Glamis and Cawdor, king hereafter, and Banquo’s children will become king, Macbeth is not content with allowing fate to run its course. Soon enough, he joins with his wife to commit murder and ensure that the most sought after prophecy is fulfilled, a kingship. As Macbeth attempts to protect his ambition, his actions go from that of being a noble thane to a man of paranoia, suspicion, and inner turmoil. Macbeth struggles with the notion of killing his king; however, once he engages in such evil behavior, additional violence does not cause …show more content…
He ends up transforming into a ruthless and ambitious leader who is not afraid to create destruction as he works towards the end goal of power. Macbeth decides to murder his friend Banquo to ensure that no one can threaten the possibility of his kingship, and succeeds in killing Banquo but not his son Fleance. Before these events, the driving force behind his violent intentions was his wife Lady Macbeth. It was she who had originally pushed him to kill Duncan in order achieve his objective, but now the tables are turning and he is starting to become more vindictive in his intentions. Macbeth receives the news that Banquo is dead during a banquet with royals, and he begins to see the ghost of Banquo. This event is the turning point in his mental stability, and the beginning of when the Lords question his ability to be king. Lady Macbeth is forced to make excuses for her husband’s actions: “My lord is often thus/ and hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat./ The fit is momentary; upon a thought /He will again be well” (3.4.64-67). She reassures them that all is well and that her husband is well fit to be king as these episodes are just a minor illness that have happened since he was young. Macbeth’s visions foreshadow the dark future that he is about to
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