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Examples Of Violence In Macbeth

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Examples Of Violence In Macbeth
Violence In the story of Macbeth, violence and the effect it has on the people who commit it is found throughout. Savage people thrusting daggers into warm, living people and swords severing heads from bodies are examples of how gruesome this novel can be. Macbeth commits and commands violent actions which are key factors in his downfall. He kills to gain power, demands murder without purpose, and allows the death of whoever intimidates him.

Macbeth is obsessed with obtaining power, in any way possible. After hearing from the three witches that he will be King, his mind becomes overwhelmed and all he can focus on is taking the throne from the present King, Duncan. “I have done the deed…” (2.2.15). In this quote, Macbeth explains to his wife that he has murdered the King. He starts to go insane soon after he commits this sin. Once the King’s sons find out of his death, they flee to distant countries, leaving Macbeth as the King. Although most of Macbeth’s murders are driven by power, he requests killings that do not benefit him in any way at the same time.
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Macbeth ordered this tragedy in spite of Macduff, knowing that killing them would only make Macduff angry and he would benefit in no way. “From this moment/The very firstlings of my heart shall be/The firstlings of my hand. And even now,/To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done” (4.2.146-149). Right before his demand for their deaths, Macbeth decides that he will no longer second guess himself and he will act upon his thoughts immediately. Macbeth demands this sinister act before he realizes how purposeless it actually is. Without a doubt, murdering an entire family with no purpose is cruel, but killing your best friend because he intimidates you is

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