Abuse Of Power In Macbeth

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In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare there are several characters that are influential. Some use the power of influence for good, while others for evil. Also, sometimes characters can be weakened or strengthened by certain qualities they posses. Ambition, manipulation and culpability are a few of the many characteristics that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have in common. Ambition can be defined as an intense desire to achieve a goal by any means necessary. Macbeth can be described as ambitious because of his thirst for power. Macbeth becomes power hungry after the Weird Sisters prophesied that he will become the King of Scotland. Macbeth tells his wife, Lady Macbeth, about his strange encounter with the witches. She knows…show more content…
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are two characters who fit this trait. Macbeth used manipulation to deceive the people of Scotland by tricking them into believing that he would be a good leader so he would gain widespread support. With Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain fleeing to England Ireland, Macbeth knew he had a good chance of becoming King. Once he was crowned King, he was not the kind of leader he promised the people that he would be. He became a ruthless dictator by manipulating the people so he could come into power. Macbeth's proves manipulation to be a negative trait because after he killed Duncan, he would do anything in order to become King. By the same token, Lady Macbeth was also manipulative. Before Lady Macbeth manipulated Macbeth he was against the plan to kill Duncan because " He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who would should against his murderer, shut the door, not bear the knife myself" (Shakespeare, I, VII, 12-16). This shows that he was loyal to Duncan, and deep inside he did not have the strength to turn on him. Macbeth could not do this because he is his kinsman and subject, so he should protect Duncan at all costs. Also, he was Duncan's host, so he should be making sure he is safe, not murder him himself. Overtime Lady…show more content…
Macbeth can be described as being culpable. He feels guilty about having his best friend Banquo murdered, so he won't figure out that he killed Duncan. Macbeth's guilt is shown when Macbeth and Lennox are talking at dinner. Lennox would like Macbeth to sit down, but Macbeth says that there are no empty seats. Lennox points to the chair that looks open to everyone but to Macbeth, but Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo. Macbeth responses by saying to the ghost that "Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me...Prithee, see there! Behold! Look! Lo, how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel houses and our graves must send those that we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites" (Shakespeare III, iv, 61-62, 82-87). His guilty conscience follows him to a meeting, where he sees a bloody ghost of his former friend in his seat. This foreshadows that Banquo will be greater than Macbeth. In the beginning of the play one of the witches prophesied that Banquo will be lesser than Macbeth, but much greater. Banquo has proven to be lesser than Macbeth because he was murdered by him, but he will also be greater than him. This foreshadows that something bad will happen to Macbeth. No one else sees the ghost, indicating that it is a figment of his imagination. He sees this ghost because he feels guilty for his death. Macbeth

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