Macbeth's Thoughts example essay topic

Personal power has the ability to be essential to greatness, and at the same time is able to destroy a person's nature. In the drama Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character, Macbeth, becomes corrupt through power that he gains. The play shows that even someone who starts out like Macbeth and does not crave power, will do terrible things to gain authority and power. The play begins with the characters King Duncan and Malcolm talking about a "good and hardy soldier" (Act I: ii: 4).

This man they are talking about is the stories protagonist, Macbeth. Macbeth is a good soldier who is devoted to his king. Then, Macbeth and his friend come across three witches who prophecy Macbeth's future, hailing him as one day becoming King. This prophesy grabs Macbeth's mind, and the change in his character begins.

Whenever the witches try to leave, Macbeth immediately remarks for them to "stay" and to "tell (me) more" (Act I: ii: 70). The witches prophesy is the first example of Macbeth being affected by power. This supernatural knowledge begins to fray his mind and Macbeth begins to wonder what he must to for the prophecy's to come true. Macbeth does not begin to plot his first murder on the information gained by the witches on his own. Though the witches' prophecies do peak Macbeth's interest, it is not until his wife, Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecy that the murder actually begins to take form. Lady Macbeth discusses killing Duncan to her reluctant husband who tries to resist the thoughts of killing Duncan because "he hath honor'd me of late" (Act I: vii: 34).

Lady Macbeth, however, prevails and Macbeth kills Duncan. Macbeth does not become totally corrupted at first after killing Duncan. Actually, Macbeth stays very skeptical and weary of the crime he has committed so much that he refuses to go back into Duncan's room and finish the job (Act II: ii: 48). While Macbeth seems very sting on the outside, one sees how weak his is mentally. Macbeth craves being able to be completely powerful, and after the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth becomes much more involved in the thought of becoming all-powerful. After Duncan's murder, Macbeth realizes that the witches' prophecy about him becoming king has come true, and he feels that it is his destiny to be the king of Scotland.

Macbeth begins to believe in everything the witches say. Macbeth, however, does not want to risk giving up his crown to the son of Banquo like the prophecy said. Thus, Macbeth hires three murderers to kill both Banquo and his son. He tells the hired murderers to 'leave no rubs nor botches in the work.

' (Act : ii: 133). By having both men killed, no one will be in line to take the crown from Macbeth, and he will secure his position has king. Macbeth learns that Banquo's son, Flea nce, has escaped the murderers and fled into a safe county, so he turns to the final opposition to his reign as king. Macbeth hears that Macduff is plotting a way to seek revenge for Duncan. Macbeth then plans for the organized death of all of Macduff's family. Macbeth is using whatever means necessary to destroy all opposition to his power, and is trying his absolute hardest to stay in control of his own destiny.

Macbeth goes so far as to kill the entire family of Macduff to try to keep Macduff out of the affairs. In the final act of self-preservation, Macbeth holds off a offensive raid led by Macduff. Macbeth is absolutely fearless in this battle because of the witches prophecy that, "no woman of man shall harm Macbeth" (Act IV: i: 80-81). This trust he has in his absolute power proves to be his downfall. In the end of the play, Macbeth meets his end when he loses a sword-fight to Macduff and his reign of power ceases to be. Macbeth's thoughts are the first to trigger his corrupt ways.

Because Macbeth craves such a power, his whole life is eaten away at by the thought of becoming the King of Scotland. When he finally take the throne and becomes King, he allows himself to sink into the corruption even more. Macbeth does suffer from his power, guilt, and ambition until he reaches his end. The cause of Macbeth's death is not because of anyone other than himself. It is his crave for absolute that ends his reign as king and his life forever.