Corruption in Macbeth

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Corruption in Macbeth Power has the ability to destroy one's nature, making one capable of doing many things he would not normally do unless power has been an influence. Once Macbeth realizes that he has power, he becomes a person of corruption. This power he attains allows him to commit many sins to become King of Scotland. In Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, Macbeth corrupts through power, guilt, and ambition. Macbeth desires to achieve a particular goal, to be the most powerful person in Scotland. He fights on Scotland's side and kills Macdonwald. King Duncan tells him to "go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth" (I.ii.63-65). King Duncan hears of Macbeth's powerful and noble qualities and crowns him the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth kills King Duncan, leaving an empty spot for a new King. He reassures himself that he will become very powerful. Soon Macbeth learns of heirs to the throne that may interfere with his power, and he immediately orders the death of both Banquo and Fleance. He tells the hired murderers to "leave no rubs nor botches in the work . . . Fleance, his son . . . is far less material" (III.ii.153-155). With this, he allows these undermining and evil ways to get the better of him, corrupting his being. Macbeth is so consumed by the thoughts of becoming powerful that he corrupts himself even further. Before and after the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is consumed with guilt. When he tells his wife of the future, she manipulates him into wanting to kill King Duncan. Yet, Macbeth resists the horrible thoughts and tries to push them out of his mind because "Duncan has always honored him" (I.vii.35). King Duncan is a very good friend to Macbeth, and he feels guilt about his death. Macbeth is growing more and more delirious and wants to get out of the murders. When attending the gathering, he tells guests that "[his] dull brain [is] wrought with forgotten things" (I.iii.166-167). He is slowly allowing himself to be eaten alive by such guilt that he even admits it to his party attendants. Macbeth goes through with the slaying of Duncan. His wife tells him to look innocent and to "carry [the daggers] and smear the sleepy grooms with blood" (II.ii.63-64). His innocence is no longer available, and it is nearly a pawn in his game to be crowned King of Scotland. While he seems very strong on the outside, very quietly on the inside, Macbeth's existence is being thrown about, all from the corruption of the want of power, which leads to the feeling of guilt. Macbeth's ambition allows him to become more involved in the thought of becoming powerful. He first begins to think of being King after the three witches tell him of his fate. When they try to leave, he immediately remarks for them to "stay" and to "tell [him] more" (I.iii.73). By wanting to know his future plans, he is ambitiously corrupting himself. Macbeth longs to become King so much that he will do anything to meet his goal. Macbeth has "no spur to prick" the outcome of his intent, "but only Vaulting ambition" (III.ii.50-51). Macbeth's continuous ambition is present in his wanting to have a succession of kings after him. After Macbeth finds out about Banquo and Fleance's escape, he takes no time in moving onto the next victim. His ambition is to "surprise" Macduff with the "edge o' th' sword," but his wife and children, their "unfortunate souls," die instead (IV.i.174-177). Coincidentally, Macduff went to England, rendering his family defenseless at the time of their murder.

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