The Power Of Power In Macbeth

Sydney Armstrong
Mrs. Godbey
English III CP1 1CD
11 March 2014

The Power of Power
Macbeth is a tragic play which begins by setting up the story of a hero of Scotland. This hero is the main character Macbeth. “Fair is foul and foul is fair” (Crowther Macbeth 1.1.12). Very early, a reoccurring theme is introduced, as well as the planted idea of power. Both of which are given to us by the witches, with unknown motives. Nonetheless, the witches plot the eventual downfall of this Scottish hero. Yet how this approach is made is due to the possibility of gaining a higher position of power. The reason for Macbeth’s corruption in Shakespeare’s Macbeth involves the power that power exerts over an individual who has gained a position of authority.
One leading contribution for Macbeth’s tragedy is the inability to have his power kept in check. According the Berger, a position of authority can directly affect the individual’s sense of self, status, and their role in society. This also touches this individual’s sense of not only others, but also that of the world surrounding this person (1). A position of power directly impacts those around that person. These characters surrounding this power, who are close enough, can also maintain a power check over that person. Yet these characters holding such a position in the play are not able to keep this power in check. Under the influence of unchecked power, Macbeth takes actions that have serious and devastating consequences for other characters in the play.
The first character who left Macbeth’s power unchecked was Banquo. Although, he had no intention of leaving this position without watch, he was murdered. After the murder of Banquo, Macbeth takes action against the innocent family of Macduff. ...

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... receiving the prophecy is Macbeth approached about his new position. This occurrence had given Macbeth a sense of false hope. He automatically assumed everything from that point on was going to work out for him. The power that this prophecy would’ve ensured was misinterpreted from the start. This happens solely due to the fact that nothing simply works out for Macbeth. It is all worked out by him instead. From murder, to black magic, Macbeth needed to work to successfully win over his own ideologies for the throne. Only from a single thought, does this entire tragedy evolve. A thought that ultimately results in revealing the true identity of Macbeth. That thought that was originally power (Jarold 298). The reason for Macbeth’s corruption in Shakespeare’s Macbeth involves the power that power exerts over an individual who has gained a position of authority.