Macbeth Essay On Power

Lord Acton once expressed, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This is embodied in the play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare as numerous characters abuse power to manipulate and destroy the lives of many.

Though the examination of, Lady Macbeth, the three witches and Macbeth, it becomes apparent how the gain and loss of Had the witches told Macbeth his full prophecy, he would have realized the danger associated with him attaining the throne through ways of murder.

Much like Lady Macbeth, the audience can see a change in character in Macbeth over the duration of the play.

The struggle for power and control in Shakespear’s Macbeth is evident from the beginning as Macbeth strives to be crowned by chance and Lady Macbeth prefers a slightly quicker more violent approach.

Thus by the witches power over Macbeth’s fate, their actions and thought become corrupted.

Macbeth Essay On Power

Although it is evident that many characters have become corrupted through their gain of power, it is most apparent in Macbeth as his gain of kingship eases his use of murder, makes him more self centered and isolates him from his family.

Macbeth begins the play with no power but with a small amount of the control, hence Lady Macbeth had the power and most of the control.

As they silently battle for control over their household and their future Macbeth kills in order for them to advance in social standing.

Lady Macbeth makes Macbeth’s do what she determines to be best for him by lowering his self-esteem so that he must do what she requests in order for him to gain his self-respect back.

She says such things as, “When you durst do it, then you a man” (1.7.49).