The Lust for Power in Macbeth by William Shakespeare Essay

The Lust for Power in Macbeth by William Shakespeare *Works Cited Not Included Macbeths destiny and his lust for power, confirmed by the Three Witches and Lady Macbeth, leads to destruction. Every act that Macbeth commits effects the kingdom as a whole. Macbeths indecisiveness and his understanding of success cause this destruction. This lust for power leads Macbeth, as it would all men, to an evil that exist in everyone. It is his destiny to fail. The tragedy of Macbeth opens up with him returning home from a victorious military battle, displaying his honor and excellence. This is, also the first time he is presented with the opportunity for power. His success covered him†¦show more content†¦How can one of such honor, fall into something as evil as the murder of King Duncan? Macbeths feels that his destiny is to become King and rule with all the power that goes with kingship. The three witches on his way back to t he kingdom, prophesied that he would rise to kingship. They said All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis (I, 3, 48), and then as the thane of Cawdor All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor (I, 3, 49). At this point in the play Macbeth had just become thane of Glamis, and the thane of Cawdor is still alive. Then, the witches greeted Macbeth as the King of Scotland saying All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter (I, 3, 50). This is the point in the tragedy where Macbeth starts to think as a villain. If the witches had never greeted him as King on Scotland, then he would probably never have contemplated killing Duncan in the first place. At first, he believes that he will need to kill King Duncan. Though at the end of Act 1, Scene 3, he thinks that perhaps he doesnt need to do anything to become the king saying If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir., showing he is a man of honor and morals. Then, Lady Macbeth hears of the p rophecy in his letters and decides immediately for him that King Duncan must die, showing Macbeths doubt. AnShow MoreRelatedLust of Power Depicted in William Shakespeare ´s Macbeth Essay700 Words   |  3 PagesMurder, ghosts, and floating daggers are the usual attractions for most that read William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and yet there is an important theme that some might overlook. Written in the early 17th century, Macbeth is believed to be based upon historical events listed in Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of Scotland and other current events of the time. Shakespeare constructs the memorable world of Macbeth with a mysterious and sinister atmosphere, incorporating diabolical elements into this worldRead MoreThe Witches By William Shakespeare942 Words   |  4 PagesMan contains desires and longings, inevitable at the least. 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