Macbeth

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.