Duncan's Greed For Power In Macbeth
Throughout Act 1 of Macbeth, Macbeth struggles with opposing forces that drive him to do ungodly actions. Macbeth must decide in scene 1 if he is going to let his greed for power overcome him. Or will he overcome his greed and keep his loyalty to the King, Duncan.
Foremost, the main essence of the play Macbeth is his journey to killing his dear friend Duncan. Furthermore, the result of killing Duncan would bring immense power and fame for Macbeth. The birth of Macbeth's greed for power comes in Act 1 Scene 3. Three Witches confront him as he walks alone, and the Third Witch says to him, "All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!/...Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none./So all hail, Macbeth, and Banquo!" (ll. 53;70-71). This prophecy
from the Three Witches brings joy to Macbeth but also creates inner turmoil. It creates an inner conflict within Macbeth that he now has to deal with. Will he add to the fire of evil within him or will he put it out and live with the position he has been given by his dear friend Duncan?
On the other side of Macbeth's spectrum of opposing forces; there is the love for Duncan. Duncan, currently the king, is a dear friend of Macbeth's. This is seen vividly in Act 1 Scene 2 when Duncan says, "What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won" (l. 95). The Thane of Cawdor, "he", was a traitor to the throne. Because of this, Duncan personally appointed Macbeth to take his position. This is a primary reason why Macbeth questions his ability to kill Duncan. Simply because they are so close. It takes the evilness of Lady Macbeth to push Macbeth to finally kill Duncan.
Throughout Act 1 of Macbeth, Macbeth struggles with the opposing forces of greed for power and love for someone that has the position he ultimately wants. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the terrible effects that ambition and guilt can have on a man who lacks the strength of character. He eventually kills Duncan, but what will it do to Macbeth's character? Will he prosper in his new position? Or will he burn in the fire of self-pity for what he has done?
Foremost, the main essence of the play Macbeth is his journey to killing his dear friend Duncan. Furthermore, the result of killing Duncan would bring immense power and fame for Macbeth. The birth of Macbeth's greed for power comes in Act 1 Scene 3. Three Witches confront him as he walks alone, and the Third Witch says to him, "All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!/...Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none./So all hail, Macbeth, and Banquo!" (ll. 53;70-71). This prophecy
from the Three Witches brings joy to Macbeth but also creates inner turmoil. It creates an inner conflict within Macbeth that he now has to deal with. Will he add to the fire of evil within him or will he put it out and live with the position he has been given by his dear friend Duncan?
On the other side of Macbeth's spectrum of opposing forces; there is the love for Duncan. Duncan, currently the king, is a dear friend of Macbeth's. This is seen vividly in Act 1 Scene 2 when Duncan says, "What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won" (l. 95). The Thane of Cawdor, "he", was a traitor to the throne. Because of this, Duncan personally appointed Macbeth to take his position. This is a primary reason why Macbeth questions his ability to kill Duncan. Simply because they are so close. It takes the evilness of Lady Macbeth to push Macbeth to finally kill Duncan.
Throughout Act 1 of Macbeth, Macbeth struggles with the opposing forces of greed for power and love for someone that has the position he ultimately wants. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the terrible effects that ambition and guilt can have on a man who lacks the strength of character. He eventually kills Duncan, but what will it do to Macbeth's character? Will he prosper in his new position? Or will he burn in the fire of self-pity for what he has done?