Macbeth Essay Assignment

            William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” shows that power can corrupt even the most loyal and humble people. In the book the protagonist Macbeth later becomes the books main antagonist after hearing about the prophecy form 3 witches saying that he will soon become the new thane of Cowdor then will become the new king. Going through many obstacles in his way, Macbeth soon becomes a different person then he was in in the beginning.

            As power hungry and, at some point, crazy Macbeth is, he was once a brave and loyal fighter. “Duncan: so thy words become thee, as thy wound; they smack of honor both” (Act one, scene 2, line 44-45). Prior to his murder, king Duncan has seen Macbeth as a man with honor after what he did in the battle in the beginning. King Duncan was also so proud that he tells the injured sergeant to be proud of him.

“He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cowdor” (Act one, scene 3, line 105). After hearing that Macbeth has saved the people of Scotland, king Duncan then pronounced him has the thane of Cowdor because of his loyalty towards the king. But because of this we find a new side of Macbeth, a side that that shows how power can corrupt even the most humble man.

            Power can easily Change a man as great as Macbeth for the worst. “Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight.”(Act 3, scene 1, line 141-142). After claiming the throne of King Duncan, Macbeth uses his power to make sure it remains with him. By doing so he kills Banquo in an attempt to make sure that his children will soon become kings. “She should have died here after; there would have been a time for such word.” (Act 5, scene 5, line 17-18). After hearing about his wife’s death, Macbeths belt very indifferent about it compared to the battle that was about to happen. At the beginning of the book, Macbeth would have done anything for Lady Macbeth, but when she died he treated it as if there were worst problems. Because power could easily change people, it could also be someone’s great weakness.

            For some people power could be a strength, but for people like Macbeth who gets corrupted by power, it could be their most greatest weakness. “some say he’s mad; others, that lesser him, do call it valiant fury: but, for certain, he cannot buckle his tempered cause within the belt of rule” (Act five, scene 2, lines 13-16). After his people and his court found out about all the killings that Macbeth did, they betrayed him and joined Malcolm’s side. Because he misused his power, he became weaker in power. “re-enters Macduff, with Macbeths head” (Act 5, scene 7, line 83). Because everyone went against him, he didn’t really stand a chance on winning the war against Malcolm. This shows how power, if misused, can be ones weakness.

            In the book Macbeth would have done anything to get power and have power remain with him. Having become a different person, readers will realize how power can lead someone to corruption. In “Macbeth” William Shakespeare emphasizes how even the most loyal and humble people can get corrupted by power if it is misused.