The Consequences Of Crimes In Macbeth

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Crimes of passion fueled by love turned bitter, greed, or revenge, have short spans, but the resulting aftermath lasts much longer. People who commit passionate crimes rarely think beyond the act itself and do not consider the consequences which can last for years after. In the Elizabethan tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare reveals how revenge fuels people’s motives to commit crimes like murder or treason, which leads to regret and guilt of their actions. Although the crimes occur quickly in the heat of the moment, the reaction to the crime lasts much longer. Lady Macbeth commits treason and murders Duncan in her own home in a single night; however the uproar in response to the realization of the crime lasts countless weeks. Although she …show more content…

Although his plan to become the king and fulfill the Weird Sisters’ prophecies comes true, Macbeth does not think beyond his short-term goals and does not recognize the results of his actions. The consequences result in Macbeth’s desperate attempt to remain in power and more murders of well-respected nobility. One death especially comes to haunt him in the form of his late friend Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth appears mad and tortured when addressing Banquo and admits his guilt to those present: “[To the Ghost] Avaunt and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee. Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold; thou hast no speculation in those eyes which thou dost glare with” (III.iv. 113-116). Instead of heeding Banquo’s message, Macbeth ignores them instead to continue to murder more people to secure his kingship. The mission to conserve Macbeth’s title concludes with his death which both the Weird Sisters and Banquo had foreshadowed. Shakespeare uses Banquo to represent Macbeth’s self-conscience and warn Macbeth of the actions he may take in the future. The Weird Sisters show Macbeth the future in riddles, however Macbeth becomes arrogant and cocky in response and continues on to war as soon as they depart: “The Castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon the Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate …show more content…

Once they conspired to kill together, the deceit and treachery lead to a downward spiral of eternal deceit and treachery to secure their lofty titles. If Macbeth refrained from conspiring with his wife, the kingship could have eventually passed along to him through his skill on the battlefield like his title Fife of Cawdor without bloodshed or revenge. Shakespeare condemns those who commit murder or treason for their own gain, but supports those who suffer patiently and help others before themselves. People with a single-minded goal for revenge ignore blatant problems which lead to the regret and guilt once their goal becomes

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