The Search For Power In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Macbeth’s ambition to control fate and retain his kingly power leads to his tragic downfall, in both matters of state and matters of his soul. At a feast given for his lords, Macbeth trembles at the sight of the ghost of Banquo, his good friend whom he mercilessly murdered, causing him to seem insane to his guests. Attempting to relinquish his guilt, Macbeth seeks out evil, “conjur[ing]”(4.1.50) upon “secret, black, and midnight hags” (4.1.47). Shakespeare uses the repetition of evil imagery referring to both the witches, “poisoned…venom” (4.1.5), and Macbeth himself: “something wicked” (4.1.45). This demonstrates the witches’ evil nature and how the search for power has corrupted Macbeth. Although he is aware of their evil ways, Macbeth implores