Macbeth King Or Pawn Research Paper

Macbeth: King or Pawn? Throughout history, many empires have risen. There were the Greeks, the Romans and numerous others, but why do are there not such empires today? A perfect example lies within Macbeth by William Shakespeare. This drama features a Scottish thane who, after being proficiesed as the next king of Scotland by three mysterious witches, gains an unquenchable thirst for power. The kindhearted king before him, King Duncan, showers Macbeth with wealth and fortune for defending Scotland from being invaded before; but this matters little to Macbeth, as he wanted to become king. Much like the Roman empire, Macbeth's expansionist greed for power leads to his ultimate demise. But what exactly did these witches say that could’ve

Without Lady Macbeth, the murder of King Duncan very well might not have happened. Macbeth’s love for his spouse is one of great passion, and throughout the drama, turns into his passion for power. When Macbeth first learned of the witches prophecies, he was unsure if he should let nature take its course and see if he will become king, or if he should end Duncan's life short. After her told his lovely wife Lady Macbeth of the witches and of his thoughts, she essentially makes the choice for him. Macbeth says "Why do I yield to that suggestion. Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, against the use of nature?"(1.3, 134-137). He is showing that the idea of murder is completely horrid. It is not until Lady Macbeth says "Was the hope drunk Wherein you dress'd yourself?" (1.4, 35) that Macbeth starts to commit to and carry out his plan. Without his wife's influence, Macbeth has little ambition to

Very arrogantly killing Young Siward, Macbeth boasts of his “immortality” again: “Thou wast born of woman. But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, brandish'd by man that's of a woman born” (5.7, 11-13). Macduff then finds Macbeth, prepared to fight to avenge his family that Macbeth had killed. Macbeth’s power-hungry attitude comes into full light. Refusing to commit suicide, asking “Why should I play the Roman fool and die on my own sword?” (5.8, 1-2). Macduff finds Macbeth and Macbeth once agains boasts of his immortality, but Macduff quickly shatters his confidence explaining that “Macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd” (5.8, 15-16). Macbeth realizes that he has been tricked by the witches. Since Macduff was not “born” of a woman, Macbeth knew that he had lost. Macduff easily has Macbeth’s head and rightfully gives the throne to Malcolm, who Duncan named as his successor. Macbeth obviously played an important role in the whole timeline of the drama, as he is the title character. But it can safely be assumed that if Macbeth didn’t exist, the witches would take control of Banquo or Macduff because, essentially, Macbeth was just one of the witches tools. They manipulated his every move, and thus are the true antagonists throughout the