Julian Escobar Mrs. Cramer Honors English 2 17 May 2023 Corruption in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth Corruption can be seen in everyone, whether it’s people in power, someone you know, or even you. This case is no different in fiction, often used as a way to convey character development and to help progress the story, and this case is no different in Macbeth. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, follows Macbeth, a general in Scotland during the 11th century, and his descent into madness as his desire for power causes him to become more and more corrupted, hurting those around him who he would have otherwised cared for. This can be seen as Macbeth killing his cousin and leader King Duncan in order to take his role as king. This leads down a long …show more content…
Macbeth’s demise is eventually met by the hands of Macduff in a duel between the two. This plot connects to the thesis because of the heavy undertones of corruption in the story by Macbeth and those around him. In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, corruption is used to show how power can lead one to do things that could be seen as wrong to gain or maintain power, which can be seen in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s actions and speech. Macbeth’s actions help to show his corruption by the actions he commits to maintain his power by abusing the amount he has. This can be seen in what Macbeth says when he makes his decision on what to do to Banquo when he realizes that Banquo’s bloodline is destined to become king, which is when Macbeth says, “It is concluded. Banquo, thy souls flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight” (3.1.161-162). Here, in this quote from Macbeth, it can be seen that he has decided that he is going to kill Banquo and his son Fleance to prevent their bloodline from becoming king, and to make sure he and his bloodline continue to reign. This shows us that Macbeth is willing …show more content…
The first example of this can be seen by Macbeth killing Duncan after hearing the witch's prophecies in order to become king, “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell” (2.1.75-77). This quote is the last thing Macbeth says before killing Duncan in order to gain the role of king. Macbeth says to himself after he is done doing this task that Duncan shall be summoned to heaven or hell, implying that he really is going to kill Duncan as he going to the afterlife. This shows the corruptness in Macbeth because of him killing Duncan, his own cousin and leader, in order to gain the role as king. The other piece of evidence of Macbeth’s actions being corrupted in order to gain power, is how he listens to the witches and even comes to them for help, although they are partially the reason he is now corrupted the way he is. “Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you” (4.1.63-64). In this quote, Macbeth returns to the witches, the ones who corrupted him in the first place. To gain more information to gain power, although being aware of their destructive ways, he still returns to them in order to gain information from the prophecies, which help give him power. this shows the corruptness in him,
As Macbeth prepares to kill Duncan, he realizes that “this blow/Might be the be-all and the end-all here”(1.7.4-5), meaning this might be the end if he gets caught. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth to “proceed no further in this business”(1.7.34), telling her to stop thinking about killing Duncan. Macbeth does not listen to his own advice and continues to think about murdering Duncan, which he achieves. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth looks towards Lady Macbeth as he says,”This is a sorry sight”(2.2.28), truly acknowledging his actions and feeling guilty for them. As Macbeth lets the murder sink in, he realizes that the blood will never be “
Furthermore, the use of violence in the novel serves as a symbol of Jack's corruption, as he uses violence as a means to maintain control over the group, for example, when he leads the group to hunt and eventually kill Simon, and when he and his group attack Ralph's group. Similarly, in "The Tragedy of Macbeth", Macbeth, initially portrayed as a noble and honorable man, transforms into a ruthless dictator as his ambition and insatiable desire for power leads him to commit increasingly violent and nefarious acts. Macbeth's transformation is clear when he says "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other" (Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 25-27). This quote illustrates how Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind his actions, and how it's an uncontrollable force that leads him to do terrible things. Furthermore, the use of bloodshed and violence in the play serves as a symbol of Macbeth's corruption, as he continues to kill to maintain his power, for example, the murder of king Duncan, and the massacre of Banquo and Macduff's
Macbeth starts out being an excellent warrior in the battles that he is fighting in for the good. He is spilling blood over the right reasons and in doing so he earned the title of Thane of Cawdor. However, this all begins to change once he and Banquo, his right hand man in battle, meet the three witches and they get their prophecies told to them. This begins the downfall of Macbeth, causing corruption, greed, and guilt coming from the actions after the prophecies are told to them. Immediately after Macbeth’s mental state switches as a result to the first prophecy coming true already, he begins thinking that he has to kill King Duncan in order to fulfill the rest of them.
Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, shows how murder and corruption disrupts natural order through the outcomes of his characters’ decisions in the story. In the beginning of the play, the protagonist, Macbeth, and his good friend, Banquo, is confronted by three witches who give them both prophecies foretelling the future. Macbeth is told that he will be promoted to Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and Banquo’s descendants will become kings. After hearing these prophecies, Macbeth makes poor decisions to make sure they come to pass. As the play progresses, the intense guilt of the character’s lead to insanity, and murder seems to be the only option in their situations.
Macbeth struggles between good and evil when he desires to fulfill the witches’ prophecies to become king. Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to kill the king, but Macbeth expresses, “[he] will proceed no further… he hath honored me of late” (Ⅰ.ⅶ.34-35). Macbeth views King Duncan as a kinsman and says that he needs to be loyal to him. Macbeth sees a dagger hanging before him, and his ambition drives him to kill the King. Macbeth kills the King, and realizes he “ is afraid to think of what [he] has done” (Ⅱ.ⅱ.66).
Macbeth’s Murderous Madness “He who seeks evil will find it” (Heart and Minds). It is often that in both life and fictional literature those with the character to look for the answers to the future seek some immoral means. In Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth is portrayed initially as a valorous and good-hearted general to King Duncan, but who later is corrupted by ambition. He persuades himself that killing his king to take the throne is the right thing to do. Macbeth’s evil ways to attempt to control the future make him realize that he has to bury the past by firstly assassinating King Duncan, seeking the witches for information, and covering it all up by murdering Banquo.
(1.3.51) When Banquo notices Macbeth’s excitement about the prophecy he is told, Banquo can’t help but be a bit nervous. He realizes that there is a chance Macbeth could be king. By acknowledging this, he recognizes that Macbeth is going to try and do everything in his power to become king now, ultimately letting fate control his actions. Furthermore, after the witches’
For example, when Macbeth is greeted by the witches while traveling, he is told he is to be king. Upon hearing this, he concocts a plan to murder the current king of Scotland, Duncan, in order to expedite his rise to kingship. However, at the last second, he explains, “We will go no further in this
Because Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan, Both face the guilt of the power they abused portrays on the shadows that reflect on them as well as the natural consequences they will face. During the first half of the play, Lady Macbeth expresses her unnatural feelings and this is demonstrated through the corruption of power when she want’s to hire people to kill Duncan because she thinks that Macbeth is too scared. At first, when Lady Macbeth hinted “Their drenchèd natures lies as in a death”(1.7.78). This demonstrates that Lady Macbeth is characterizing corruption of power due to the fact that she want's to kill Duncan, therefore she can be queen of cawdor while Macbeth is king.
Reckless ambition is demonstrated in Macbeth when Encouraged by his wife and the witches Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more
Many people make big mistakes while under bad influence in power. Some become corrupt, some cave into the pressure, and some just straight up ignore their problems and run away. Macbeth on one hand caved under pressure and killed a man's family in fear of losing the throne and on the other hand completely corrupted himself to become king. People are probably wondering what possibly could have caused him to go mad. The answer is clear.
and he eventually goes back to them. In a later scene, Hecate comes and says,” And that, distilled by magic sleights, Shall raise such artificial sprites As by the strength of their illusion Shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you all know, security Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.” (3. 5.25-33 ).
As “Macbeth” continued, Shakespeare shows Macbeth slowly becoming more corrupt having Macbeth listening to the witch about assuming the position as king, kill Duncan for power, killing Banquo in order to remain in power. Macbeth heard the prophecy from the three witches and acknowledge that it could be true. After hearing that he had became the thane of Cawdor, Macbeth said that “If ill,/ Why hath it given me earnest of success/ Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor” (Macbeth, I, 3, 144-146).
Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.
I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on 't again I dare not.” (Act II, sc ii, Lines 48-50). Macbeth is getting extremely paranoid and feels bad killing Duncan. Macbeths ambitions caused him to murder Duncan, but he also had Banquo murdered, and wanted to murder Banquo 's son, Fleance. Macbeth wants Banquo killed because he saw him as a threat; however, Banquo had been Macbeth 's friend and thought he could trust him. "