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The Consequences Of Greed In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Shakespeare wrote about many issues of his time that still plague our society today. In Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, many of his characters were consumed with greed. This is still prevalent even in today’s society. Shakespeare uses the idea of greed in Macbeth to show destruction and how it can ruin entire families. Throughout the book, the well respected Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are consumed by power and greed. They end up killing the King of Scotland to become royal. While greed is tempting we need to remember that it is a destructive force and its consequences outweigh the benefits. Even though greed appears glamorous and inviting, Shakespeare shows us that it is contagious and addicting and will lead to destruction.

Shakespeare reveals how contagious and evil greed is by the suggestion from the witches that Macbeth will be king. Before meeting the witches, Macbeth is a well-known general who is victorious in battle and is grateful for the king’s praises. This idea of greed is cultivated when Lady Macbeth says, “O, never shall sun that morrow see” (Macbeth 1.5.415-416) when discussing King Duncan with Macbeth. In addition, she pushes the thought further by making Macbeth feel inferior when stating, “What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o ' the milk of human kindness” (Macbeth 1.5.416-423). Macbeth’s wife implies that King Duncan of Scotland is not to see another day and will be killed while he stays at the home of Macbeth. From these two

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