Macbeth: How Money Killed Essay

735 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Greed and ambition of macbeth

Macbeth: How Money Killed



Many of our friends at Wall Street have serious heart problems; some of

them even die years before they should because of the stress that is brought on

by the money and greed of Wall Street. Money is also evident as a health risk

in Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice, both written by William Shakespeare. On

Wall Street people are driven by the greed of the people they represent, their

own greed, and a general atmosphere of greed. In Macbeth, Macbeth is driven by

personal ambition and his wife to become king at any expense, including slaying

some of his personal friends and their families. Also, in The Merchant of

Venice, Shylock …show more content…



Macbeth's greed starts to become a problem when people start figuring

out the truth behind Duncan's death. Macbeth realizes that he is well beyond to

point of no return and that the only thing left to do is to keep eliminating

people whom may potentially stand in his way, or hurt his political figure such

as when Macbeth sends orders to have Macduff's family assassinated because

Macduff hurt Macbeth politically by not showing up at the party. "The castle of

Macduff I will surprise/Seize upon Fife; give to th' edge o' th' sword/His wife,

his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line" (4.2.150-153).

Macbeth plots to kill Macduff's wife and child just because he didn't show up at

his party where he was being blundersome any way. Shylock's greed goes from

being a problem for Antonio to being a problem for himself. As Antonio's ships

failed to arrive on time, Shylock wants his part of the agreement fulfilled --

one pound of flesh from Antonio's body is the agreement. Although Antonio

pleads for his life, Shylock's greed is persistent and eventually they go to

court to settle. The tide turns when Portia shows up disguised as a …show more content…

You stand within his danger,

do you/not?" (4.1.180-184). Through some manipulation of interpretation of the

bond, Shylock is forced to give up all that he had worked for in order to not be

put on trial for plotting to murder Antonio. It is now evident that greed will

eventually triumph any man's heart.



Macbeth's greed kills him in the end. "Hail, King! For so thou art:

behold, where/stands/Th' usurper's cursed head. The time is free"

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth: The Evolution of Corruption

    1423 Words  | 3 Pages

    Perhaps the most fundamental theme of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the inherent corruptibility of even a seemingly good man when ambition turns to greed, and Macbeth himself exemplifies this concept throughout the play. While at the outset he is seen to be loyal to his king, generally considered trustworthy, and displaying numerous other laudable qualities, Macbeth ultimately succumbs to the influence of those around him and becomes unequivocally evil, setting aside all his previously held morals and coming to be driven only by his lust for power. This transition is brought about by a wide variety of factors and plays an integral role in the development of the plot. In his tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare employs

    Read More

  • Greed In Macbeth And The Canterbury Tales

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    The aspect of greed shows itself as the heart of the many immoral acts committed by fictional characters and real people. From Adam and Eve’s betrayal to Macbeth’s collapse portrays what greed can produce as a result: destruction. Whether it destroys one’s health, it inherently portrays as a force to the path of corruption. The Pardoner, from The Canterbury Tales, defines greed’s purpose. This includes how greed pulls them to degeneration. No matter how subtle the fall, it still brings to distasteful events for the characters from The Importance of Being Earnest. Although the characters differ, their obsessions with their immoral acts decline their personalities. Thus, the authors portray the characters’ greed, as a pernicious force that drives

    Read More

  • Macbeth: Greed, Power, and the Pursuit of Prophecies

    1071 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Tragedy of Macbeth is a famous play written by the English playwright William Shakespeare. The play was written in 1606 during the reign of James I. The play talks about how a military general, Macbeth, rises to power after killing King Duncan. The Story revolves around how Macbeth’s actions change after he heard the prophecies from the 3 witches. Greed becomes Macbeth’s guide after he listens to the witches, and since he wasn’t fully content with his given position, he is easily manipulated by his wife. The central question to this play is to what extent power (or the lack of power) affects individuals and/or relationships. And how do the decisions and actions of people reveal their personalities? .

    Read More

  • How acts of courage develop and nurture personal integrity

    653 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Macbeth Lady Macbeth is perceived to be very evil and conniving, she is the catalyst that pushes Macbeth into killing King Duncan. She emasculates and manipulates him, causing his psychotic tendencies. Before the murder of Duncan, Macbeth played the role of a honorable servant of the King, and was praised for killing the traitorous Thane of Cawdor. Instead of the praise of Macbeth’s bravery bettering his personal integrity, he lets his prophesies that the witches informed him about go to his head. He is willing to kill to try and set himself further ahead, and after he is crowned King, he would kill anyone that stood in his way. This eventually catches up with him when the other characters put the pieces of the murders together and realize that Macbeth is responsible for all the deaths. Once this happened, Macduff, the Thane of Fife, set out to Macbeth’s castle at Inverness with a large army disguised by birnam wood to behead Macbeth, so Malcolm could be crowned King. Macbeth’s lack of courage throughout ...

    Read More

  • The Tragic Downfall of Macbeth

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    wink at the hand! yet let that be, /" (I, iv, 57-59). Macbeth is vexed

    Read More

  • Macbeth: The Corrupting Power of Ambition

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    The more power one desires, the more corrupt actions one takes to fulfill those desires. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, “Macbeth” the main character, Macbeth, becomes hungry for power which ultimately leads him to his tragic death. This is shown through the use of foreshadowing and apostrophe to prove Shakespeare’s theme that the gaining of more power leads to more corrupt influences. It is evident that there is no positive outcome from the craving of power and the act of doing morally or ethically corrupt activities in order to achieve a higher place in society.

    Read More

  • Macbeth: The Not So Great Macbeth

    630 Words  | 2 Pages

    So all of those examples were of how Macbeth tried to seal his fate and just how far he would go to Control it but in the end like all things it came to an end and Macbeth really couldn’t do much at that point to control his fate and was beheaded by Macduff.

    Read More

  • Ambition, Greed, Power, and Wealth in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    The play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare illustrates how greed for power and wealth can result in the destruction of oneself as well as others.  The play's central character, Macbeth is not happy as a high-ranking thane - leading him to assassinate Duncan to become King, while unknowingly dooming himself.  Throughout the play many examples are evident of Macbeth's unquenchable thirst for power.

    Read More

  • Macbeth: The Cursed Scottish Play

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    From the time Macbeth took the power of the Scottish throne, many more innocent civilians and royal officials have been executed by Macbeth to satisfy his lust for complete power. This central focus on power plunged the country into despair and lowered the wellbeing of his subjects, causing mass disapproval and speaking out from everyone; this subsequently led to Macbeth murdering anyone who spoke against him. This, as well as in seeking aid for Scotland, causes Macduff to travel to England, as, “For from broad words, and ‘cause he failed his presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear Macduff lives in disgrace” (3, 22 – 23). Macbeth continues to ruin Scotland, causing Macduff to speak out, yet in a plain and concerned manner, rather than a boastful, selfish tone. Many would not dare speak against the king, as doing so ensures certain death. The courage of Macduff, however, does not prevent him from holding his tongue nor his actions, and he seeks to help Scotland without much regard for Macbeth’s backlash. This backlash, however, reaches Macduff’s family, and Macbeth orders everyone slain, which leaves only Macduff alive in England. Even though he no longer possesses anything in Scotland to physically fight for and protect, Macduff resolves to courageously fight for Scotland and rid it of Macbeth, while at the same time he works to avenge the murders of his family and household. Macduff’s final

    Read More

  • Macbeth Hallucinations Analysis

    1134 Words  | 3 Pages

    (II, ii, 35) His innocence was killed and he knows that he has to live with this guilt for the rest of his life, hence Macbeth will never sleep peacefully ever again. After each successive murder, Macbeth becomes more and more inhumane. “I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o 'er.” (III, iv, 143-145)

    Read More

  • Importance Of Morality In Macbeth

    1031 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ross says, “I am so much a fool, should I stay longer, it would be my disgrace and your discomfort. I take my leave at once” (Shakespeare 4.2). This quote shows that Ross has no evil-minded due to the fact he leaves Lady Macduff and her child to die. Still, this shows Macbeth cruelty by sending the soldier to kill Macduff’s family. Macbeth says, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife give th ’edge o’th’sword/ his wife, his babes, all unfortunate souls” (Shakespeare 4.1). The significance of this quote shows Macbeth cruelty thinking about his plan on how to kill the Macduff’s. Since Macduff’s family are not a threat to him, but his mind led him to worsen the situation. Macbeth says, “Time, thou anticipat’st my dread exploits: / the flighty purpose never is o’ertlook/ unless the deed go with it” (Shakespeare 4.1.). This quote shows that Macbeth is talking to himself about time so he can make up his plan instantly. He promises that from this time on if dreams the plan, he will act on it and carry it out for a purpose. To conclude with paragraph 3, Macbeth has no innocence over the people that do not have a threat to him. So Macbeth’s morality finds its way to justice which has to be solved.

    Read More

  • Why Macbeth Is A Monster

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    Furthermore, we also learn about Lady Macduff’s and her kids’ death. To prove this, Macbeth says in Act 4, scene 1 that he wants to kill Macduff and his family for joining Malcolm, the protagonist adds “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, / Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword / His wife, babes, and all unfortunate swords / That trace him in his line.” Although many might argue that Macbeth was forced to kill Duncan, which caused him to kill everyone else, the protagonist could of have refused to follow his wife’s orders and refrain from the power he wants. From the quotations used, we can now tell that Macbeth is a monster due to the murders he

    Read More

  • The Power Of Evil In Macbeth

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    Duncan's murder also turns his lords against him, and when the time of the battle comes, they desert him. His people, obviously not content with his rule, also desert him, and when the opposing army arrives at Dunsinane hill, Macbeth’s army leaves. "Where they not forced with those that should be ours,"(5.5.5). Macbeth has lost "honor, love, obedience, troops of friends" (5.3.29), because of his evil deeds, and this is what physically ends Macbeth. Feeling anger towards Macduff for having fled, Macbeth murders his whole family, and makes Macduff a powerful enemy. When Malcolm returns from England with an army, Macduff is there, as are most of the Lords of Scotland. But Macduff searches for Macbeth with the sole purpose of avenging his family. They fight and Macduff is victorious, he slays Macbeth, and proclaims Malcolm the rightful king of Scotland. As a result of his abuse on his people and his evil actions Macbeth's reign is brought to an end. For having followed evil, Macbeth is

    Read More

  • Tragic Elements Of Macbeth

    774 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The witches predict that Macduff may harm Macbeth. The prediction becomes the catalyst again and makes Macbeth decide to murder Macduff’s family in order to make sure his own safety. Apparently he’s determination is continuously becoming stronger. He no longer struggles with moral justice and this is when Macbeth’s ambition reaches a climax” (Blind ambition kills).

    Read More

  • Macbeth: From Hero To Villain

    1263 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout Macbeth by William Shakespeare we see the transformation of the main character, Macbeth, from hero to villain. Translated, this basically means that Macbeth changes from a brave warrior to a serial killer!

    Read More

More about Macbeth: How Money Killed Essay

Open Document