Examples Of Power In Macbeth
MACBETH'S POWER
Throughout the acts, there are drastic changes that we perceive from Macbeth, power as being the strongest one. The impression that is given at the beginning of the play based on the captain's report of Macbeth is that he is a noble and courageous man. Macbeth and Banquo, both commanders of the Scottish army, have a strong relationship between one another, however this is soon changed when both of them meet the witches who give them both prophecies of who will be the Thane of Cawdor in the near future.
The prophecies that the witches told both Macbeth and Banquo had a great amount of impact, especially on Macbeth. 'Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more' Macbeth's first response shows that he is intrigued by what the witches have just told him. This emphasises his ruthless ambition for power. There is a contrast seen in how Macbeth should react to the scenario and how he does react to it. As a loyal man, he should of dismissed the pointless words of the witches instead he struggles with what is going on in his mind. …show more content…
When the prophecies that the witches made came true, Macbeth becomes confused and questions himself about what the witches had said.
This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in a truth?' He then considers that talking with the witches wouldn't be as bad, after all their first predicament did come through.
In the following scene, Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth to build up his strength in what the witches has told him, and of him having a desire for the power he wants to have. In this scene, Lady Macbeth forces Macbeth to take part of murdering Duncan as she claims that she would of killed him herself except he resembled her father sleeping. Macbeth decides to pull out of the murder, since he is afraid that if he kills the king, someone will kill him. However, Lady Macbeth persuades him with violent words that challenges his man
hood.
The influential voice of Lady Macbeth is what we see happens to Macbeth himself. An example of this would be when Macbeth brainwashes the murderers that Banquo is their enemy and orders them to kill him. A manipulative technique is used by Macbeth on the murderers, where he questions them on their manly hood. Similarly, this was the way that Lady Macbeth had spoke to him in Act 1 Scene 7 to get him to agree on the murder of Duncan. Macbeth has engaged the murderers to prove to him that they are man enough and so their desire to kill Banquo and Fleance is more strong. Gullible as they are, the two of them allow themselves to be manipulated by Macbeth and in essence Macbeth has gained power of the murderers.
From both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, we see that the power of language has been carried on from one to another. At first it was Lady Macbeth who was manipulating Macbeth, but in act 3 we see that Macbeth has applied this technique too with the murderers. This shows that Lady Macbeth influences, since if Lady Macbeth hadn't pressured him into killing Duncan it would of restricted his longing for power. The witches also play a role in confusing Macbeth, his wanting to kill Banquo and his son all emerged from the three of them. Their first predicament was true, which lead Macbeth to believe the witches on their second prophecy and turn against his best friend.
Throughout the acts, there are drastic changes that we perceive from Macbeth, power as being the strongest one. The impression that is given at the beginning of the play based on the captain's report of Macbeth is that he is a noble and courageous man. Macbeth and Banquo, both commanders of the Scottish army, have a strong relationship between one another, however this is soon changed when both of them meet the witches who give them both prophecies of who will be the Thane of Cawdor in the near future.
The prophecies that the witches told both Macbeth and Banquo had a great amount of impact, especially on Macbeth. 'Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more' Macbeth's first response shows that he is intrigued by what the witches have just told him. This emphasises his ruthless ambition for power. There is a contrast seen in how Macbeth should react to the scenario and how he does react to it. As a loyal man, he should of dismissed the pointless words of the witches instead he struggles with what is going on in his mind. …show more content…
When the prophecies that the witches made came true, Macbeth becomes confused and questions himself about what the witches had said.
This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in a truth?' He then considers that talking with the witches wouldn't be as bad, after all their first predicament did come through.
In the following scene, Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth to build up his strength in what the witches has told him, and of him having a desire for the power he wants to have. In this scene, Lady Macbeth forces Macbeth to take part of murdering Duncan as she claims that she would of killed him herself except he resembled her father sleeping. Macbeth decides to pull out of the murder, since he is afraid that if he kills the king, someone will kill him. However, Lady Macbeth persuades him with violent words that challenges his man
hood.
The influential voice of Lady Macbeth is what we see happens to Macbeth himself. An example of this would be when Macbeth brainwashes the murderers that Banquo is their enemy and orders them to kill him. A manipulative technique is used by Macbeth on the murderers, where he questions them on their manly hood. Similarly, this was the way that Lady Macbeth had spoke to him in Act 1 Scene 7 to get him to agree on the murder of Duncan. Macbeth has engaged the murderers to prove to him that they are man enough and so their desire to kill Banquo and Fleance is more strong. Gullible as they are, the two of them allow themselves to be manipulated by Macbeth and in essence Macbeth has gained power of the murderers.
From both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, we see that the power of language has been carried on from one to another. At first it was Lady Macbeth who was manipulating Macbeth, but in act 3 we see that Macbeth has applied this technique too with the murderers. This shows that Lady Macbeth influences, since if Lady Macbeth hadn't pressured him into killing Duncan it would of restricted his longing for power. The witches also play a role in confusing Macbeth, his wanting to kill Banquo and his son all emerged from the three of them. Their first predicament was true, which lead Macbeth to believe the witches on their second prophecy and turn against his best friend.