Theme Of Arrogance In Macbeth

Historically, many powerful leaders and dictators such as Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin, and even Julius Caesar have taken advantage of their power and in the end, contributed to their own fate. Usually, the arrogance largely contributes to the fall in these leader’s rein, William Shakespeare’s tyrant, Macbeth, being no exception. In famously known play, Macbeth, there are many characters conspired behind his back, however his own fate is all due to his own actions. Although the witches planned to trick Macbeth, his reason for failing, leading to his death was his own cockiness, need for power, and the suspicion he built around himself. Arrogance and confidence, can oftentimes be negative characteristics in a leader with high power. Once consumed
The conspiracy that many such as, Banquo, Lennox, and Malcolm created over Macbeth was due to Macbeth’s own actions, leading the kingdom to turn against him. His actions of mourning too much, and acting weird during meetings, causes many of his fellow thanes and other kings to start questioning him. Before going out on a ride, Banquo exclaims, “Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all/ As the weyard women promised, and I fear/ Thou playd’st foully for’t.” (III, i, 1-3). Banquo realizes that the prophecy given to Macbeth, has suddenly come true, and he has everything he wanted. However, Banquo suspects that these titles were not given to him naturally, and he possibly killed King Duncan. Macbeth’s extraneous actions has led one of his closest friends to turn behind his back, and Banquo isn’t the only one. Lennox, a Scottish nobleman suddenly realizes that things aren’t quite normal after Macbeth sees the ghost at his meeting. He exclaims to a lord, “Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan/ Was pitied of Macbeth, marry, he was dead:/ And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late,/ Whom you may say- if’t please you- Fleance killed,/ For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.” (III, VI, 3-7). Lennox comprehends that people all over the kingdom were being murdered, and that Macbeth was unusually mournful. Additionally, they converse about how odd the suspected murderers are, King Duncan’s being his servants or his two sons and Banquo’s being his own son. Later, he learns that his suspicions are correct, that Macbeth did murder Banquo and Duncan, and in the end, is one of the soldiers going against