Power in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Power in Macbeth                      There argon many varied types of power that a mortal may have. Some of the time, however, the person in that power is not the best person to be in that power. This is especially true in William Shakespeares Macbeth. Throughout the lead of the play, the Three Witches and Lady Macbeth are the people with the most power over Macbeths life. The more power that a person has, the more corrupt they become. Many different people in Macbeth have power, and there are different ways to be powerful, Usually, men are the ones who are outward and aggressive about it, and women are more subdued about it. Lady Macbeth has a great deal of power over Macbeth the power which she arrests over him, is the fact that she possesses more of the manly superior than Macbeth himself does. Because of this, Macbeth is ashamed of himself. As a result of Macbeths shame, he attempts to do ever ything in his power to prove himself to Lady Macbeth. He is attempting to prove himself to Lady Macbeth, because she obviously has her doubts, When you durst do it, then you were a man,/ And, to be more than what you were, you would/ Be so much more the man. (1,7,54-56). As a result of Lady Macbeths doubts and mocking, Macbeth finally murders Duncan in a final attempt to prove himself to Lady Macbeth. Although Lady Macbeth was successful at convincing Macbeth to murder Duncan, the Three Witches were the people who made it all possible. The Three Witches hold the ultimate power. If the Three Witches had indeed not informed Macbeth about what was to be, then be would not have repeated the Three Witchs prophecies to Lady Macbeth, All hail, Macbeth come up to thee, thane of Glamis/ All hail, Macbeth/ hail to thee, thane of/ Cawdor/ All hail, Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter. (1,3,50-53). In turn, if Lady Macbeth had not been informed about the prophecies, she would have never expec ted Macbeth to murder Duncan in a desperate attempt to fulfill the prophecies. On the other hand, the Three Witches not only gave Lady Macbeth the opportunity to alter Macbeth into the tyrant which he straight off is the Three Witches also led Macbeth to his downfall soon after Macbeth came into power. How the Three Witches accomplished this, was they made Macbeth feel over-confident, Be lion- mettled, proud, and take no care/ Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are/ Macbeth shall never vanquishd be until/ Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill/ Shall come against him.