Power As Depicted In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

Persuasive Essay: Macbeth

Power is something that humans could never really get a grasp on. Some can argue that it plagues and corrupts, and by looking through history this can be proven, but it is just as easy to prove that there are some with power who are seen as a good influence and help those without it. This leads to the theory that power sometimes corrupts. A good example of this can be seen in Shakespeare famous play Macbeth, to where his characters Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, and Banquo all deal with the influences of power. Lady Macbeth is portrayed in the story as the murderous wife of Macbeth. Once she hears that she will become queen, she becomes so eager and hungry for that power that she makes a plan to kill the current king, Duncan. Seeing that her husband is hesitant and my not go through with the plan, she manipulates him by saying that he is "too full o' the milk of human kindness", challenging his man hood. She is soon to regret her decision once she sees that having Macbeth become king had changed him for the worse.
Macbeth was border-line on his thoughts when hearing the prophesy of the witches.
He was very interested when hearing it and thought about murdering Duncan, but was sickened by his own thoughts. Soon after being convinced by his devilish wife, he turns to the dark side and kills the king while he was sleeping. He then goes from bad to worse when he sets out to kill his friend Banquo and his family, seeing him as someone who is a threat and knowing that his sons will take the thrown. Thought he was not completely corrupted at first, his decisions made him into a tyrant
king.

Along with Macbeth his friend, Banquo, was also there to hear the three witches prophesy. Banquo was mentioned in the prophecy, or rather his sons were. They were prophesized to take the thrown and become kings in Scotland. Instead of being excited that his children would be royalty, he was skeptical. He took caution on whether to believe the word of the witches, because he saw the witches as evil. When offered to help Macbeth, he decided not to, choosing not to do anything dishonorable.

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo are great examples of how power can sometimes corrupt, especially Macbeth. He could be seen as an example of how easily corrupt people can influence others. Needless to say that those uncorrupted can also easily have the same influence. Lady Macbeth was the dark, Banquo was the light, and Macbeth was the mutual one leaning closer and closer to bad decisions.