Macbeth's Abuse Of Power

In the “Tragedy of Macbeth”, the main character Macbeth has a constant power struggle throughout the entire play. He is constantly seeking to gain more power over others and then once he has it, he only kills more people to keep the power in his possession. The first instance of this power grab comes from Macbeth when he says “That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’ other-” (I, vii, 25-28). When Macbeth says this he is debating whether or not to kill King Duncan, and then claims his ambition will drive him. Although when it came down to the actual assassination he was nervous he did go through with it and gained the initial power that

He said this because he feared Banquo and more importantly his son Fleance. Fleance was considered a threat to Macbeth because the witches had shown him prophecies of Banquo's children as the heir to the throne, so Macbeth sent murderers to do the deed for him. The prophecies made both Banquo and Fleance a threat to the crown and a target for Macbeth to kill. Macbeth also ordered the murder of Macduff because he was a threat to the crown and Macbeth only wanted to stay in power. “ Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? But yet i’ll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live; That I may tell pale-’hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder.” (IV, i, 82-86). It was clear to see that Macbeth’s life throughout the play was a constant struggle for power. Since the beginning, when Duncan was first invited to Macbeth’s home, there was always ambition; and as the play went on the ambition only grew until it became his downfall. Thus leading to his eventual