Macbeth Corruption Quotes

586 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The switching of roles in macbeth

“Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is and the tree is the real thing.” Once quoted by the late President Abraham Lincoln, this quote relates to the character of Macbeth in Shakespeare's play Macbeth, as he appeared as an unexpecting new leader but was really a greedy, murderous monster. Though he is constantly manipulated by his wife Lady Macbeth in their horrendous plan to murder their King, Duncan of Scotland. Shakespeare uses both flowers and birds to convey a theme of appearance vs reality. Shakespeare uses flowers to represent innocence in a time of corruption to convey theme. Early in the story before Macbeth was to murder Duncan, he is very reluctant to go through with doing so. Using …show more content…

Many times throughout the story macbeth is compared to a bird most commonly an owl. Shortly after Macbeth has murdered Duncan was the enthronement ceremony of Macbeth into his new place of royalty. Talking with Ross was a seemingly wise old man who stated “On Tuesday last, a falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.” through this quote we can infer that this is in reference to what the Old Man knows about Duncan, the falcon, being “hawked at and killed” by macbeth, the owl(2.4.11-13). In the modern day owls are known as wise calm creatures that stick to taking down smaller pray like mice. The falcon is supposed to be the violent bird of prey. So seeing the calm animal attack and kill the fierce animal is showing to the difference in the reality of Macbeth's personality to what he shows on the outside, that the is a harmless and noble gentleman that would never commit treason against the country he seems to love so much. Again referenced as a bird is King Duncan, to a raven instead of a falcon. Again he is mention in the same sentence of another menacing bird being brought to

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth Fate Quotes

    546 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare has a strong theme of power. Macbeth is a king who is given three predictions from three witches, one of which is that he will become king. The one problem is he doesn’t know what he has to do in order to become king. His wife then decides that in order for him to become king, he must kill the current king. This one murder then leads to others in order to cover the original murder up. Once Macbeth becomes king, he doesn’t want anything to change, he wants to stay king until he dies. He then begins to kill again, but instead of killing to cover something, he is killing anyone who stands in his way of staying king. Macbeth’s fate is affected by the personality trait of bravery, his ability to be manipulated, and his determination.

    Read More

  • Handmaid's Tale Women Quotes

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    Flowers can be seen to represent emotions that are felt when opressions on women are seen. Poisonous flowers represent the determination that these women use to find a better life in this society

    Read More

  • Animals' Behaviour Often Reflect One's Own

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    As intricate as imagery may enhance a literary piece, Shakespeare uses this technique not only to achieve this very objective, but also to foreshadow forthcoming occurrences throughout the ill-fated play of Macbeth. When Lady Macduff says “The most diminutive of birds, will fight, / Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.”, she compares herself to small or weak birds who will fight against any predator, the owl , to protect its young ones as she would to shield Macduff’s and her son from any harm possible (4.2.12-13). Shakespeare uses the qualities and behaviour of the birds in order to portray them as weak and defenceless. These qualities are especially significant later on, as Lady Macduff and her son are taken advantage of when a few men swiftly murder them. Due to this, the audience is easily able to interpret the imagery as foreshadowing Lady Macduff's weakness when an enemy approaches her and her son. Another instance of where Shakespeare ideally uses animal imagery to allow the audience to recognise a clue to an upcoming event, is when the old man says to Ross, "A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place / Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd", to which Ross replies "And Duncan's horses /… / Turn'd wild in nature, bro...

    Read More

  • Macbeth Manipulation Quotes

    164 Words  | 1 Pages

    Macbeth’s character gradually changes from an assured man to an uncertain one who was easily manipulated by his ambitions. When Macbeth receives his prophecy from the witches we can immediately identify his impulsiveness to want more , “Speak, I charge you!” (I.iii. 79). The quote portrays a confused Macbeth who wanted answers to what could have been his future. He was easily manipulated by the thought of power to ask more of the false prophecy. Throughout the play we can observe Macbeth constantly letting the witches prophecy linger in his mind. The witches weren’t the only one to manipulate Macbeth to their likings lady Macbeth was also guilty. Lady Macbeth’s simple words, “Are you a man?” (III.iv. 62) manipulated Macbeth’s thoughts to change

    Read More

  • 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

  • Lady Macbeth Corruption Quotes

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fate cannot predict a person’s character. Every human must choose to embody benevolence or malevolence. It is an important decision, which external factors greatly influence. This point is addressed by Shakespeare in his drama, Macbeth. The character, Lady Macbeth develops sincerity as a result of her husband’s corruption. Deciding between what is foul and what is fair is an overarching theme in the play, and the main characters continually shape their identities through these decisions. Shakespeare tells the story of a married couple, the Macbeths, who are the newly appointed monarchy of Scotland. The Macbeths have very distinct personalities, at first Lady Macbeth is ruthless and Macbeth is rational. As the play progresses, Macbeth turns

    Read More

  • Macbeth Banquo Quotes

    784 Words  | 2 Pages

    A lot like Macbeth, the character Banquo was also a highly skilled soldier, and very much trusted by their king, even though Macbeth respects Banquo’s bravery he also fears his wisdom. While Macbeth is quick to action and has little to no time for thought Banquo chooses not to turn his thoughts into action, Banquo is however a lot more cautious as shown when he and Macbeth met the three witches. Banquo actually considers the reasons for what the witches are offering and later realizes they are telling him his future and thinks that the witches are attempting to make him greedy for power. Macbeth however reacts oppositely. Banquo actually considers the reasons for what the witches are offering and rather than thinking about the outcomes of his

    Read More

  • Hectie Quotes From Macbeth

    453 Words  | 1 Pages

    Hectie: The blood of swine yet fills the air, the foul, and the lustful weak. (Pause, Looks at the corpses of the nobles that fought for Macbeth hung on the other side of the woods) Oh so I despised your nature, like moths flying to a flame, unyielding as you give the suffering, as you used your men to dig deeper to find the light. (Approaches the corpse of Macbeth, mutilated and hung separately) I come to claim your soul.

    Read More

  • Corruption of Unchecked Ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1294 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition The main theme of Macbeth - the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints - finds its most powerful expression in the play's two main characters. Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement. He kills Duncan against his better judgment and afterward stews in guilt and paranoia. Toward the end of the play, he descends into a kind of frantic, boastful madness.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Free Will Quotes

    743 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the tragedy “Macbeth,” written by William Shakespeare, Macbeths free will is shown as he tries to take what is his. “Macbeth” is about a Scottish troop (Macbeth) and his friend Banquo. Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches whom tell them about a prophecy that involves Macbeth and Banquo’s son. One of the prophecies was that Macbeth would become king. The prophecy makes Macbeth’s mind corrupted making him pursue dark actions to overthrow King Duncan. Macbeth’s free will is exhibited by the way he has the inspiration to control what he does throughout the tragedy. People may say that it is fate because the prophecy states that Macbeth will be king, but it also states that Banquo’s sons will be kings in

    Read More

  • Macbeth's Corruption

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout The Tragedy of Macbeth, we see Macbeth change from a noble and brave soldier into a mere shadow of his former self. We meet Macbeth after a battle, the result of which has him named Thane of Cawdor. From this position, he falls to a paranoid man willing to do anything to remain in power. We can see his deterioration from the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth's second meeting with the witches, his treatment of Macduff's castle and his mental condition just before he is murdered.

    Read More

  • How Power Corrupts in Macbeth

    2635 Words  | 6 Pages

    It is in human nature that the more power one desires the more corrupt actions one must do to attain it. In Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, a Scottish noble's craving for power leads him to do terrible deeds that leads to his demise. Shakespeare shows that power corrupts by using Macbeth who corrupts under the thought of have power over others. Macbeth becomes corrupt under the thought of becoming king and gaining almost complete control over the people that he rules. Macbeth wants the power badly enough to do horrible deeds such as commit regicide. Lady Macbeth becomes very ambitious and allows herself to become seduced to the idea of becoming Queen. Her ruthlessness urges Macbeth to commit regicide by questioning his love for her and his own manhood.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Deception In Macbeth

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the biggest hidden concepts in this play is the idea of deception. Deception happens very prominently throughout the play by many different characters. These individuals used deception in order to achieve a personal gain, though there is an opportunity cost to this personal gain, thus leading to cloaking of true individual intent. Lady Macbeth faultlessly portrays this idea of deception when she tells Macbeth to “Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, Your tongue look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t” (1, 5, 65-66) she wants Macbeth to hide his true intentions that way he can grow close to his aspiration of killing the king. In addition, Macbeth continues his deception as he exclaims “That

    Read More

  • The Corrupting Power of Ambition in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1335 Words  | 3 Pages

    The vigorous desire to achieve and willingly attain something holds the capability to greatly affect one's life. William Shakespeare's play Macbeth establishes the immense effect and influence of ambition. After gaining power over his country Scotland, the protagonist, Macbeth, experiences an internal downfall as he battles between his wants and moral judgement. He struggles to maintain stable relationships with others as his selfish desires and goals hurt those around him when achieved. In addition to clashing with himself and others, he is seen as a tyrant leader and is slowly turned against by Scotland's nation as well as England. Shakespeare's play Macbeth provides the reader with a clear understanding of ambition's corrupting power in Shakespeare's tragic character Macbeth, through his inner conflicts, struggle to maintain stable relationships with those surrounding him, and clash with society.

    Read More

  • Macbeths Ambition

    437 Words  | 1 Pages

    Political ambition undermines man’s loyalty. In the play, Macbeth decides to kill his king because of his ambition for position. At the beginning of the play, he portrays himself as a noble person. He fights in the battle against Norway and proves his loyalty; however, as soon as the witches prophesize that Macbeth “shall be king hereafter'; (1.3.53), he is not longer trustworthy. Ambition for power starts creeping into his head. After Macbeth’s internal conflict over whether or not to kill Duncan, he decides to do it quickly (1.7.3) in order to hasten the predictions. He decides to kill the king because he wants to extend his power all over the country by becoming the new monarch. He desires to be more wealthy and respected by the nobility as well as by the common people. Becoming king represents the highest rang in the political pyramid. The act of murdering is the only way to make his dreams come true because Duncan’s fair and prosperous rule over Scotland experience the support of the whole population. As Malcom and Donalbain fly to England, he automatically takes possession of the throne. Macbeth displays political ambition first of all because of his wife. After she reads her husband’s letter about his meeting with the witches, she suggests for Macbeth to kill Duncan so she could be queen. At the beginning Macbeth hesitates to talk about such a thing and even lists the reason not to kill: he is his king, his uncle and his guest. Not completely sure about it and victim of his own desires for power he finally accepts Lady Macbeth’s plan for murdering the ruler of Scotland. This decision portrays Macbeth’s dirty morality and easily manageable personality.

    Read More

More about Macbeth Corruption Quotes

Open Document