In order to feel safe and content, one must have a feeling of security. The desire for security is so intense, it allows us to fool ourselves, not think rationally, and believe things that we wouldn't ordinarily believe. Macbeth’s desire for security leads him to delusion and his ultimate downfall. Macbeth’s desire for security was manipulated by the three witches and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth’s desire for security leads to his downfall as king of Scotland, and his death. As the play progresses, Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid about losing his power as king. He feels threatened by those around him and therefore feels that he does not have security. Macbeth slips spirals into a state of delusion and makes increasingly worse decisions. Macbeth …show more content…
As Hecate says “Security is Mortals Chiefest enemy.” (3.5.32-33). Macbeth has the capability to be conscientious of his actions. After committing regicide, Macbeth is overwhelmed with guilt and is contrite with his actions. As the play progresses, Macbeth becomes less guilty of his heinous actions and becomes pleased with himself. He is convinced that the murder of Duncan was necessary to prevent civil war and chaos in Scotland. Macbeth believed he was a hero, which is why he did not stop after the first murder. Macbeth believed he was the solution to achieve stability for Scotland. As the play progresses Macbeth does not just desire security. His power in Scotland becomes jeopardized, and his desire for power and control greatly affects his mental state. So much so, that Macbeth would not tell his own wife about his plans to murder Banquo and Fleance. “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed.” (3,2,48-49). Previously, this is what Macbeth would have wanted to hear, however, one can notice how his thought processes have changed once his power has been threatened. The desire for power and control catenates the desire for security, if not satisfied. As Macbeth exclaims, “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.” (3.1.50-51). Macbeth expresses that being king does not mean anything if he is not safe. In order to live a life free of …show more content…
Through fortune telling and attacking Macbeth’s masculinity, the three witches and Lady Macbeth coerced him into a desire of security, and eventually a false sense of security. Macbeth begins to gain increasingly anxious about his spot on the throne, and feels threatened, therefore increasing his desire for security. This feeling is only amplified when Lady Macbeth undermines his masculinity. “When you durst do it, then you were a man” (1.7.49) This causes Macbeth to murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth continues to tell Macbeth that his actions are necessary for their survival as a couple “We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we’ll not fail”(1.7.59-60). After Lady Macbeth plants Macbeth into a deep desire for security through means of violence, the three witches lull Macbeth into a false sense of security. This is done twice in the play. Initially, the witches prophesied to Macbeth that he will become king of Scotland. “All hail Macbeth, that shalt ne king hereafter!” (1.3.51). This prophecy becomes true. Macbeth becomes an easy target for manipulation, as he is vulnerable. Macbeth was in a position of losing his power, and becomes frightened. The combination of this alongside the initial prophecies becoming true is what leads him to his false sense of security. The witches give Macbeth a second set of prophecies. These prophecies are twisted, into phrases that Macbeth wants to hear.
Although he was falsely led by the witches, Macbeth was not cautious enough to protect himself. The witches made him believe that he was safe from all, which he was not. Macbeth did not recognize the ambiguity of the prophecies, which led to his demise. The dubious prophecies paired with Macbeth’s lack of caution and his false sense of security resulted in his own
In Macbeth, when he is told a prophecy by the weird sisters, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.53), it is arguable this is the most critical point that led Macbeth down the rabbit hole of murder and ruthless ambition. The witches make a claim stating, “[Macbeth] that shalt be king hereafter” but do not supply how he will achieve it. Macbeth’s actions are caused by his ambition and twisted interpretation of the prophecy. This once-in-a-lifetime event is a golden opportunity that Macbeth seizes which causes his ambition; the prophecy fulfills itself.
Macbeth has been desensitized to his harmful acts because of his flaw of insecurity. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that he is not a man unless he kills duncan. Macbeth was insecure in his standing and did not believe he was worthy unless he was given the crown. “MACBETH - Prithee, peace!I dare do all that may become a man;Who dares do more is none.
Macbeth recognizes the rapid and drastic downfall of his life and by making the comparison to a poor player that is no longer heard from, he thinks that life is meaningless and lacks purpose. Understanding how his deception leads to destruction, his perspective on life shifts to a cynical view. His existence is merely a performance and his inability to continue the honorable act illustrates Macbeth’s undoing of his former nobility. As his destructive nature changes his attitude, his carelessness will continue to spike as he reaches the end of his life. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to give attention to the reckless attitude that results from allowing deception to
While power may seem alluring to many, Shakespeare’s Macbeth highlights the destruction and harm that comes with great power. Throughout Macbeth’s journey for more power, Shakespeare is able to demonstrate the cognitive changes Macbeth endures with his power gain. Macbeth is seen getting more violent and apathetic as the play goes on, showing how power corrupts the mind. Soon after Macbeth has a great increase in power, Act Three Scene One emphasizes how the determination for more power affects Macbeth. Macbeth is shown with little remorse for causing the death of one of his former friends, blinded by the desire for power.
Then, when hearing of the potent prophecy that will change his life from the three weird witches, Macbeth has the resistible mindset that “if chance will have me king, why chance crown me without my stir” ( I, iii, 142-143). This quote means that, even
Furthermore, Macbeth feels at peace knowing his fears are no longer there to harm him. This is showing the evolution of Macbeth's guilt based on his desires to harm on others. He can rest easily at night knowing he has done his worst on others and they are no longer there to give him paranoia. Similarly, Campbell demonstrates Macbeth's vicious behavior through his
Some may argue that Macbeth was simply being strategic in his actions. Macbeth's manipulation is often morally reprehensible and results in the suffering of innocent people. Therefore, people may not find the argument valid. Macbeth attempts to control the future and bury the past through various means, including the murder of Duncan, the manipulation of others, and the avoidance of confrontation with his guilt. Macbeth desires to control the past and the future by killing King Duncan because he believes that by doing so, he can alter the course of his own destiny and fulfill his ambition of becoming
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is the most powerful force in his downfall at the end of the play because even though the witches gave the idea that he can be king in his head. Macbeth allowed himself to be manipulated easily during the play by himself, Lady Macbeth, and the three witches. After Macbeth becomes the King of Scotland he loses his initial bravery during fights, Like Having someone to do the job for you. When Macbeth becomes King he begins to
In the play, Macbeth attempts to control his future many times. He does things that he probably should not have done, which then causes many more issues; he feels the need to try and correct them. Throughout the play, Macbeth involves many people in things that he forces them into doing by scaring and threatening them. Throughout the play Macbeth has many people killed in order to benefit him. He doesn’t believe that anyone knows what he is doing, but as people find out he begins to send murderers after them.
The witches' prophecies provided Macbeth with the intention that he was destined to rule. He killed several people who stood in his path. The witches' predictions lead Macbeth to believe that he was invincible and that nothing could harm him. This false sense of security that he felt led him to make reckless decisions and eventually led the way to his downfall. In Act 1, Scene 3, the witches say to Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth!
This prophecy causes Macbeth’s longing for power to increase, and have justification. Macbeth believes whatever the witches tell him, even though the visions make no sense, because Macbeth desires power and the visions give him justification to take power. Macbeth writes a letter to Lady Macbeth telling her about the prophecies and says, “...that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee (1.5.1-13). The quote is an example of Macbeth believing he is promised power, thus he attempts to gain power on his own, not waiting for fate to take it’s course.
This mentally messed with Macbeth as the witches got the idea stuck to his head he was consumed by it. This prophecy deeply affects his decisions throughout the story. Which also makes him delusional that he's immortal and can not be killed by men. Macbeth was delusional ever since the witches mentioned the prophecy.
In the beginning of the play, Act I, Macbeth is a dignified general that is greatly respected by the king and his comrades. He also described as the “worthy Cawdor” by King Duncan (I.iv.48). Nevertheless, the men that trusts and glorifies Macbeth does not know of the blinding ambition caged within his heart. That ambition was finally set free when the three witches tell Macbeth that he would one day become king. Inevitably, the idea of gaining power captivates the ambition within him, forcing him to trust the deceitful witches even though he himself is aware of the consequential forthcomings that may occur.
Macbeth started off as a valiant and courageous soldier, who would do anything for the king. By the end of the play, Macbeth was a tyrant and a horrible leader who killed those who trusted him to maintain the throne. It takes many factors to take a strong man and transform him into an evil monster. Macbeth’s downfall was caused by the deception and temptation of the witches and their prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s greed and aspirations for her husband to be king, and Macbeth’s own greed, jealousy and ambition.