In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the theme of power emphasizes the motif of blood. The blood motif focuses on almost every character throughout the play. It beings with the prophecy of three witches that tell Macbeth that he will become king of Scotland. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s thirst for power results in the murder of King Duncan and crowing of Macbeth. The prophecies of the witches, and later the apparitions, encourage Macbeth to murder his friend, Banquo, because his sons were destined to become future kings. When Macduff hears of Macbeth’s tyranny, Macduff kills Macbeth and take away his power. The power of the witches cause Macbeth to murder many of the characters to get what he desires, which results in Macbeth’s own death. Throughout …show more content…
After the murder of Banquo, Macbeth confronts the murderer at the door and says, “there’s blood upon thy face” (3.4.12). The murder tells Macbeth that Banquo is dead. After Macbeth was haunted by Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth says, “blood will have blood” (3.4.122). Macbeth believes he will be caught for his murder of Banquo. When Lennox discovers that Macbeth is abusing his power as king, Lennox meets with a Scottish Lord that wants to kill Macbeth. The Lord wants to “free from our feasts from and banquets bloody knives” …show more content…
Laugh to scorn / the power of man, for none of woman born / shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.79-81). When Malcolm goes to visit Macduff, Macduff hears of Macbeth’s tyranny of Scotland and pleads, “Bleed, bleed poor country” (4.3.31). Both Malcolm and Macduff plan a war to kill Macbeth because Scotland has an “untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered” (4.3.104). Before the war against Macbeth and Macduff, Lady Macbeth figured no one would care if they figured out Macbeth and Lady Macbeth killed King Duncan because Macbeth was a powerful king. Lady Macbeth becomes insane and
In the story of Macbeth, the murder of Banquo is a huge turning point in the play. The main character, Macbeth gets Banquo assassinated after 3 witches' prophesize that Macbeth would be king and Banquo's descendant will be king. Soon after this Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, at dinner with many aristocrats in attendance. This interaction between Macbeth and Banquo's ghost shows how Macbeth's excessive thirst for power has caused his mind to decline leaving him to feel a great deal of guilt.
It doesn't take long for the murder of King Duncan to occur after the truth and Macbeth's promotion to Thane of Cawdor, and the entire kingdom is on the run in search of peace. Malcolm, the son and heir likely of King Duncan, and Macduff, the Thane of Fife, are both powerful individuals. Malcolm and Macduff suffer the loss of loved ones as a result of Macbeth's ambition while he is leading himself to greatness. This leads Macduff to want revenge on Macbeth.
However, since Macbeth is king of all the land opposing him would be treason. Yet Malcolm continues with his plan and forms an army that goes to attack Macbeth. Macduff ends up killing Macbeth himself. Moreover, Malcolm takes the throne for himself. Power and authority shifts once again.
“He has kill'd me, mother: Run away, I pray you!” This drives Macduff to take revenge by killing Macbeth fulfilling the prophecy and ending Macbeth’s life. If Macbeth did not have so much ambition, he would not have visited the witches or even try to kill Macduff’s family. These two events demonstrate how Macbeth’s great ambition resulted in his downfall.
Selfishness plays a vital role in the downfall of characters in literature. In William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, selfishness roots itself within the structure of the play and onto Macbeth. Macbeth is a Scottish general and after he had won a victorious battle, he receives a prophecy from three witches whom stated that Macbeth will become the King of Scotland. Macbeth becomes consumed with selfish ambition, and he immediately plots to murder King Duncan while he spent a night at Macbeth's manor. The morning after, Macbeth takes the throne for himself.
”(Shakespeare.4.1.106-107) It is prophesied that Macbeth will be killed. He tries to avoid being killed because he believes he deserves to be king. Macbeth's reaction to this is to kill Macduff’s whole family because he thinks that Macduff is suspicious of him. Slowly throughout the story the supernatural has a greater impact on Macbeth and the choices he makes.
By seeing Banquo as a ghost, Macbeth believes that his acts have come to haunt him for revenge. The guests at the dinner party are confused by
William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth. It is considered one of its most powerful and darkest tragedies; the play dramatizes the psychological and political corrosive effects produced when evil is chosen as a way to satisfy the ambition for power. Macbeth tells a story of crime and punishment mixed with witchcraft. Covered in the deceitful prophecies of the Weird Sisters, Macbeth decides to assassinate his king and take the crown. Aware of the horror to which he surrenders, he forges his terrible destiny and believing himself invincible and eternal.
Macbeth is a tyrant during his rule, manipulating the minds of the people and using murders to clear out anyone that stood in his way, so that he can stay in power. Malcolm worries about the state of Scotland as he exclaims, “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke./ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds. I think withal…” (Shakespeare 4.3.49-51). Malcolm notices the true state of Scotland under the rule of Macbeth, as he has forcefully gained his
This tragic loss completely breaks Macbeth and all his internal defenses. By the time of battle, Macbeth does not see the “point” in fighting anymore, this vulnerability leads to his execution by Macduff. By having this unhealthy mindset, with no sign of mercy, Macbeth lashes out over paranoia, and with
It symbolizes fear, guilt, insanity and also evil. Macbeth would do almost anything to become King. Since the three witches predicted that what was going to be a part of his future. Macbeth and lady Macbeth both became crazy because of the deadly deeds that they committed. In the beginning of the play blood is shown as honor and bravery and towards the end of the play its shown as guilt and remorse.
His arrogance when finding out that he has barely any threats to his rule causes him to act like there are no repercussions to his actions. Lady Macbeth begins the cascade of events that result in Macbeth taking more risks to ascend in power, such as killing Duncan. The witches also contribute heavily to Macbeth’s downfall, motivating him to act in a certain manner, and instilling the hubris that causes him to act foolishly. With these factors, Macbeth, loses the support of all his supporters, and falls from his tyrannical rule of
Macbeth feels his destiny is to murder King Duncan and become the King of Scotland, which is why Macbeth promises Lady Macbeth achieve his destiny. Therefore, Macbeth’s ambition for power leads to the death of King Duncan. Moreover, Macbeth’s ambition for power triggers the massacre the ones who impede him from his pathway to the Scottish Throne. First, Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo to avoid obstructions in his plan to become the King of Scotland. Macbeth tells the three murderers hired: “…
Macbeth, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, presents two characters, Macbeth and Macduff, who represent the aspects of leadership and ambition with different motives. Macbeth’s egocentric ambition leads him to become a ruthless leader, while Macduff’s ambition focuses on serving loyalty and service towards his country and his people. Both are Duncan's well-trusted thanes, but Macbeth’s selfish ambitions cause his passion to move over his reason, while Macduff sticks to keeping his reason over his passion. Due to the prophecy of witches, Macbeth indulges himself in creating his fate by carrying out malicious acts to keep his kinship safe from anyone; Macduff’s main priority becomes to rebel and dethrone Macbeth with the help of Malcolm
Eventually, he then acts upon his greed and abandons his morals through the vile words of Lady Macbeth. After the king 's death, Macbeth expresses his hatred towards killing the king "I have no spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition, which overlaps itself/And falls on the ' other. " Specifically, under his new state of power, he was taking extra precautions to prevent anyone from taking his dignity and bloodline. Simultaneously becoming apprehensive of his throne for this purpose he kills Banquo otherwise his descendants will inherit the throne, and the killing of Macduff 's family since Macbeth was suspicious of his downfall might be coming. "