Preview

Essay On The Power Of Words In Macbeth

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1049 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Essay On The Power Of Words In Macbeth
Tragedy comes in many forms especially when deceit from it’s root. Macbeth, a famous play written by William Shakespeare, gives an example of how words can affect a person’s actions when it is not their normal personality. In Macbeth, the reader can perceive the power of words in both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth desire for higher power to rule over their conscience. A significant change in the power of words causes Macbeth to make ominous decisions that would eventually lead him into a trance of depression and insanity. In Act 1, we are first introduced the “weird sisters” which are the main reason for Macbeth’s insanity. The witches who have constructed high influences on Macbeth by expressing his future to him. “ Hail to thee, thane of Glamis. Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor. …show more content…
Macbeth, a famous

play written by William Shakespeare, gives an example of how words can affect a person’s

actions when it is not their normal personality. In Macbeth, the reader can perceive the power of

words in both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth desire for higher power to rule over their conscience.

A significant change in the power of words causes Macbeth to make ominous decisions that

would eventually lead him into a trance of depression and insanity.

In Act 1, we are first introduced the the “weird sisters” which are the main reason for

Macbeth’s insanity. The witches who have constructed high influences on Macbeth by

expressing his future to him. “ Hail to thee, thane of Glamis. Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor. Hail

to thee, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter.” When the witches stated these happenings

MAcbeth starts to comply to their words. The witches used the power of their words to make

Macbeth open his eyes to the future and seek out his ambitions. As the witches give Macbeth

false hope, their words become harmful because of the interpretations that Macbeth took

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    William Shakespeare’s tragic play ‘Macbeth’ depicts a tale of a honourable Thane and his unethical raise to sovereignty, to his untimely destruction and death. Lady Macbeth’s ambition and greed was instrumental in her husband, Macbeth’s moral downfall, however it was not the only factor that contributed to the outcome. Macbeth himself and the deception and manipulation presented to him by ‘wired sisters’ drove Macbeth to his own downfall. It was the witch meddlesome prophecies that lead Macbeth down the destructive and murderous path and that fuelled Lady Macbeth’s ambition and greed. Macbeth must also be held responsible for his own actions that created…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare’s witches, or the “three weird sisters” (1.3.32) serve several purposes. With their persuasive techniques and ability to either see or influence the future, their most important role seems to be their power to influence decision-making and cause the initial deterioration of Macbeth. By providing five prophecies, the witches “provide Macbeth’s ‘call to action’ and drive his thirst for power”, (Jamieson). However, by not telling Macbeth the full truth, they give him false hope, and expectations that ultimately lead to his demise. The witches influence him so greatly, that without their presence, it is possible that Macbeth would never have even committed the murder of King Duncan.…

    • 1007 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This essay will attempt to explore what the play ‘Macbeth’ suggests about the states of minds of both the titular character Macbeth, and his scheming wife Lady Macbeth, using extracts from Act 1, Scene 7. I will also examine how the language used emphasises the key themes and ideas within the play. The characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are revealed and developed through their dialogues with use of soliloquies and asides, helping to reveal their personalities, states of mind, emotions and motivation. Much figurative language and imagery is used by Shakespeare to emphasise the themes within the play, creating atmosphere and mood in order to achieve dramatic outcome (109). Initially eager to have the deed done, he would have it done sooner rather than later and hope for the murder to be the finish of it all:…

    • 1495 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Macbeth Essay

    • 669 Words
    • 1 Page

    use of deception to their advantage. In Scene I of Act IV, The three witches give Macbeth…

    • 669 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Renowned play, “Macbeth” written by William Shakespeare in 1606, is one of the most prestigious dramas to date. Valiant and truthful soldier, Macbeth experiences dire changes of evil, in order to gain his thriftless ambition for king. His immoral change might have been influenced by Lady Macbeth and the witches’ prophecies suggesting Macbeth is a tragic hero who had no intent of abhorrent deeds. Once honourable Macbeth pledges glory to his king and gained honour through valiant accomplishments. Fear strikes him as his mind starts to deteriorate into utter chaos by his treacherous actions. His self-conscious mind transforms him into a superstitious villain who suffers in despair as he implicates regret.…

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Power Analysis

    • 587 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Despite Macbeth seeming noble and courageous towards the court, I, as a reader, am knowledgeable of his true feelings and do not feel sympathetic towards him. He does not fulfill the definitions of a sympathetic literary character that I carry in my mind, as he is aware and in control of his evil intentions and actions. In Act I, Macbeth’s initial reaction to the prophecy is murder, and his eventual commitment to the act showcases his true character as a murderous but independent…

    • 587 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many people have hopes and goals that they would like to accomplish. They may desire powerful positions or jobs, while others may desire prosperity and riches. This is known as ambition, the spell binding force that leads people towards success. However, ambition may result in harmful acts to get their satisfaction. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth, the protagonist, Macbeth, is described as a very loyal and noble soldier. As the play progresses, Macbeth’s character dramatically changes because of several different factors. These factors influence Macbeth greatly and cause him to make numerous bad decisions. The influence of the witches’ prophecies, the influence of Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth’s blind ambitions are the most important factors that lead to Macbeth’s tragic deterioration.…

    • 1283 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Fatal Influence On Macbeth

    • 1659 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The three witches and their dark powers represent the supernatural forces. Lady Macbeth acts as Macbeth’s external force and pushes him towards the bloody…

    • 1659 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter,”( I. 3. 53). Macbeth, infamously known as ‘that Scottish play’, was written by Shakespeare in 1606. It was not only a contemporary adaptation of the Prince, by Machiavelli, but the play also served to strengthen James I claim to the throne. In Macbeth, our hero of the same name has an unquenchable thirst for power that leads him to his downfall. The audience is privy to Macbeth’s mental evolution as they witness his transition into a tyrant. The seventh scene of the first act is the first example of active rhetoric, on behalf of Lady Macbeth, to sway Macbeth towards killing his cousin, Duncan. In this scene Macbeth and Lady Macbeth make use of rhetorical devices as they attempt to persuade one another towards their constitution. Macbeth uses an uncertain tone during his discussion with his conscious and syllogism when solidifying his rationale while Lady Macbeth counters with invective language to emasculate Macbeth and sarcasm to ruin his self-esteem.…

    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth

    • 1266 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The witches tell Macbeth the first three prophecies; Thane of Glams, Thane of Cawdor, and The future King. He is confused at first, but then called the witches to come back, and tell him more, this is his ego growing. He wanted to know, “to be King stands not within the prospect of belief, no more than to be Cawdor”. When news came that the Thane of Cawdor is now Macbeth, fuels the fire, his ego starts to build even more. “Glams and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind,” Macbeth says aside. Once he is king, to be sure he hangs on to his power, Macbeth visits the witches again for a second time, asks for prophecies. One of the four apparitions was that, “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” This apparition also contributes to Macbeth being egotistical, because it is impossible for anyone to be not born of woman, Macbeth assumes. Another apparition from the four…

    • 1266 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Macbeth Blind Ambition

    • 1199 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The tragedy, ‘Macbeth’, composed by William Shakespeare is a play of manipulation and blind ambition. This is clearly depicted through the character of Macbeth, a great man fallen from God’s grace. Initially, Macbeth’s is presented as a character with noble qualities, who earns himself the trust of King Duncan and admiration of his people. However, the meeting with the weird sisters takes a toll on his personality for the worse, as they ambiguously prophesise that Macbeth will become King of Scotland. Upon hearing this, Macbeth takes fate into his own hands and embarks on a journey of blind ambition. Ultimately, Macbeth’s character deteriorates and is destined to fall. Therefore, through the dramatic elements of the play, we anticipate the downfall of valiant Macbeth as a ramification of the fatal flaw of blind ambition.…

    • 1199 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Shakespeare’s masterpiece of a play, ‘Macbeth’, carefully depicts that Macbeth’s character was not ruined by fate but rather by damaging errors in his personality. Macbeth’s dangerous quality of ambition brings about his downfall as well as his treachery against his king, his tyranny and also his imaginativeness that eventually lures him into the murder. Although Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth’s decisions were greatly influenced by other characters in his text, it was Macbeth that ultimately decided to listen to these influences due to the many faults in his character.…

    • 88 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Manhood, for most of the characters in Macbeth, is tied to ideals of strength, power, physical courage, and force of will; it is rarely tied to ideals of intelligence or moral fortitude. At several points in the play, the characters goad one another into action by…

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    “Fair Is Foul”

    • 1721 Words
    • 7 Pages

    To these three witches what is evil is good and what is good they cannot stand. So, who better to corrupt than “noble Macbeth”? These words spoken by the witches show that Macbeth is vulnerable from the start. To these “secret, black, and midnight hags” corrupting Macbeth is what they do best. Shakespeare also establishes Macbeth’s bravery and heroism within the opening scenes.…

    • 1721 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    As the audience of this play, we are shown the gradual psychological deterioration of Macbeth, as his quest for power leads him to making evil choices, such as committing regicide and a whole reign of murderous terror in order to stay in power and protect himself from enmity. He is convinced that ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’, just as he…

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics