Macbeth
“Macbeth was written by
William Shakespeare. It is considered one of his darkest and most powerful
tragedies. Set in Scotland, the play dramatizes the corrosive psychological and
political effects produced when evil is chosen as a way to fulfill the ambition
for power.” The quest for power brings out the worst in others; innocent people
can be hurt in the crossfire because of their greed. In Macbeth, a playwright
written by William Shakespeare, this is very evident. Several deaths and
tragedies occur because of the constant power struggle between those who want
to control the kingdom of Scotland.
In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth and Banquo meet three
witches on their way home from fighting a rebellion. The women prophesy that
Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and then become King of Scotland, while
Banquo’s heirs shall be kings. Lady Macbeth hears news from her husband of the
prophecy and his new title; she vows to help him become king. While everyone is
sleeping and after his wife has given the guards drugged wine, Macbeth kills
the King and his guards. Macduff arrives and when the murder is discovered
Duncan’s sons flee fearing for their lives, but they are blamed for the murder.
Macbeth arranges for Banquo and his son, Fleance to be killed, but the boy
escapes the murderers. At a banquet Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo. Macbeth
seeks out the witches and learns from them that he will be safe until Birnam
Wood comes to his castle, Dunsinane. They tell him that he should not fear
anyone born of woman, but also that the Scottish succession will come from
Banquo’s son. Macduff’s family is murdered, while Macduff himself has gone to
join Malcolm at the court of the English king, Edward. Malcolm’s army is
carrying branches from the forest as camouflage for their attack on the castle.
Lady Macbeth, filled with guilt, walks in her sleep and gives away her secrets
to a doctor. Macduff challenges Macbeth, learning his enemy was born by
Cesarean section, realizes he is not stanchless. Macduff wins and brings the
head of Macbeth to Malcolm who declares peace and is crowned king.
Death cannot be avoided
when greed is the motivator. In Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 76-77, it says, “Will all
great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood. Clean from my hand?” Macbeth coveted for
power causing him to kill Duncan. Here he feels guilty because of his greed and
how he rues the way he took Duncan’s life even though he did not deserve it. In
Act 5, Scene 1, Lines 31-36 the text reads, “Out damned spot! Out I say…who
would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?” Lady Macbeth is
overflowing with dismay because of her role in Duncan and the guards’ death.
Once again we see that death was inevitable because Lady Macbeth wanted her
husband to become king. Blood is theoretically all over her which causes her to
go mad. In Act 4, Scene 2, Lines 93-94, the story says, “He has killed me,
mother. Run away, I pray you!” Macbeth orders assassins to kill Macduff’s
family hoping he would be there. Since Macbeth’s greed, controlling his judgment,
innocent people died in the crossfire. The innocent family did not deserve
this. Unfortunately, Macbeth’s lust for power got the best of him and the man
he tried killing did not even get killed. People die and are injured because of
others hunger for power.
The struggle for power can
cause great conflict amongst those who want it most. In Act 1, Scene 2, Lines
11-15, it reads, “The merciless Macdomwal-worthy to be a rebel, for to that the
multiplying villanies of nature do swarm upon him-from the Western Isles of
kerns and gallowglasses is supplied…”Notice here that the Scots battle rebels
and western invaders for control. Macdomwal’s quest for power causes a great
rebellion and ultimately a battle that results in defeat. In Act 5, Scene 4, Lines
19-22, the murderous tale says, “Let our just censures attend the true event,
and put we on industrious soldiership.” Macduff gets his armies prepared to
attack Macbeth for control Scotland once more. Once again we see that the
Scottish army is up against the Malcolm and Macduff/English army because of
Macbeth’s reign of terror. In Act 5, Scene 8, Lines 37-39, the act says, “Before
my body I throw my warlike shield! Lay on, Macduff, and damn’d be him that
first cries....” Macbeth fights Macduff to see who will rule Scotland. Remember
that these are the two who struggled for power in the beginning. Now Macduff
will make Macbeth “kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet.” Major
conflicts happen because people want to have power over places, things, and
others.
People will kill and do
whatever it takes to get into leadership positions. In Act 2, Scene2, Lines
67-72, it says, “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the
dead are but as pictures. “Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil.
If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem
their guilt.” Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that she will do whatever it takes to pin
the murder of Duncan on the guards. The only way they will be in control is to
frame someone else for their crime. In Act 3, Scene 3, Lines 26- 27, it states,
“O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge.” At this
point Macbeth has hired assassins to murder Banquo in fear that he would lose
his role as leader. The witch’s prophecy scared him so he had him eliminated.
Roles in government can
change with the death of others. In Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 1-2, it reads, “Thou
hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women promised…”Macbeth is
now crowned king because Duncan was killed and his heirs fled for their lives.
Since he was a good general, he was the most likely to be chosen for the job
and he knew that. In Act 5, Scene 8, Lines 76-85, the story states, “As calling
home our exiled friends abroad that fled the snares of watchful tyranny,
producing forth the cruel ministers of this dead butcher and his fiendlike
queen, who, as ’tis thought, by self and violent hands took off her life; this,
and what needful else that calls upon us, by the grace of Grace, we will
perform in measure, time, and place. So, thanks to all at once and to each one,
whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.” Now that Macduff has slain Macbeth,
Malcolm claims the throne as rightful heir. Macbeth’s tyranny will no longer
control Scotland, thus changing the government; furthermore, effecting people’s
freedoms and how Scotland will operate.
Death and power struggle
are two key factors in the impact on the overall drama in Macbeth. In Act 4, Scene
3, it says, “Down with the lady of doom and up with my father's crown…” Since
Macbeth killed Duncan and lusted for power, he is now being hunted by Malcolm
and Macduff. This means a lot in the last half of the story because it is
mainly about how they seek revenge for the death of Duncan. In Act 3, Scene 1,
Lines 75-76, it says, “Rather than so, come fate into the list, and champion me
to the utterance!” This mindset of Macbeth causes him to do terrible things.
Instead of being content, he wants to eliminate anyone in his path that might
be an impediment to his kingship, even though they are innocent targets.
Macbeth’s hunger for power
got the best of him. What he did to gain power is inexcusable. I challenge you
to refrain from actions like this. Killing and injuring others to gain a
leadership role is not the right thing to do. You should earn it fair and
square without manipulation. Do not do something like Macbeth because
ultimately you will pay for your actions; possibly with your life.
