What Role Does Power Play In Macbeth's Downfall
Jane Boye
Mr. Stiles
Comp 2
17 February 2014
The Need to Be King
If one is told that he would one day have a great amount of power, he would likely do anything in his power to make sure that happens. In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the noble Macbeth battles his own morals to fulfill the fantasy he has always wanted: to be king of Cawdor. Even though deep down Macbeth knows killing Duncan is wrong, Lady Macbeth, three witches, and his vaulting ambition cause him to defy his morals.
Initializing Macbeth’s downfall are the three witches at the beginning of the play. They give a prophecy to Macbeth, stating that he will become king rather soon. They fail to mention all of the chaos Macbeth will cause in attempting to become king. Banquo, after the meeting with the witches, comes to tell Macbeth of his dream about the witches and how they revealed some truth. Shortly after, Macbeth suddenly has a vision of a dagger in front of him leading the way to Duncan’s room, aimed at Duncan. Macbeth wonders "Dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?" (2.1.38-39) …show more content…
In her efforts to help her husband become king, Lady Macbeth eventually develops a longing to be queen, so she manipulates Macbeth into killing Duncan. Insulting his manliness, she tells Macbeth, "...When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be so much more the man." (1.7.49-51) Lady Macbeth also projects her selfishness onto Macbeth when she argues with him, saying she would “…while it was smiling in [her] face, have plucked [her] nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had [she] sworn as you have done this."(1.7.56-59) Here, Lady Macbeth argues with Macbeth on how she would rather kill her newborn child than to go back on her word. However, when the time comes to fulfill the deed, Lady Macbeth backs out because when she goes to kill him, Duncan looks like her
Mr. Stiles
Comp 2
17 February 2014
The Need to Be King
If one is told that he would one day have a great amount of power, he would likely do anything in his power to make sure that happens. In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the noble Macbeth battles his own morals to fulfill the fantasy he has always wanted: to be king of Cawdor. Even though deep down Macbeth knows killing Duncan is wrong, Lady Macbeth, three witches, and his vaulting ambition cause him to defy his morals.
Initializing Macbeth’s downfall are the three witches at the beginning of the play. They give a prophecy to Macbeth, stating that he will become king rather soon. They fail to mention all of the chaos Macbeth will cause in attempting to become king. Banquo, after the meeting with the witches, comes to tell Macbeth of his dream about the witches and how they revealed some truth. Shortly after, Macbeth suddenly has a vision of a dagger in front of him leading the way to Duncan’s room, aimed at Duncan. Macbeth wonders "Dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?" (2.1.38-39) …show more content…
In her efforts to help her husband become king, Lady Macbeth eventually develops a longing to be queen, so she manipulates Macbeth into killing Duncan. Insulting his manliness, she tells Macbeth, "...When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be so much more the man." (1.7.49-51) Lady Macbeth also projects her selfishness onto Macbeth when she argues with him, saying she would “…while it was smiling in [her] face, have plucked [her] nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had [she] sworn as you have done this."(1.7.56-59) Here, Lady Macbeth argues with Macbeth on how she would rather kill her newborn child than to go back on her word. However, when the time comes to fulfill the deed, Lady Macbeth backs out because when she goes to kill him, Duncan looks like her