Joe Meinert

Miss Skirtich
13 December 2017
English 12: British Literature

"Macbeth" Thesis Paper

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the

greatest writer in the English language who was born in 1564. He is often called England's

national poet and called the "Bard of Avon". Shakespeare has written nearly 38 plays, including

"Macbeth" one of his most well-known. Shakespeare demonstrates corruption of power in

"Macbeth" through Ambition, Insanity, and Manipulation.

Shakespeare demonstrates corruption of power in "Macbeth" through Ambition by Lady

Macbeths want for power in the start of the play. Lady Macbeth learns king Duncan will be coming

to stay at their castle and is very intrigued by it. She says "that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan

under my battlements. Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here" (I.V.36-39)

In this line we see that Lady Macbeth is very ambitious for power is trying to do anything possible

to gain power. She also says "make thick my blood, stop up thy access and passage to remorse"

(I.V.41-42). This shows that lady Macbeth is willing to do anything in her power to become

powerful. Her obsession of the need for power and the ambition to be queen is getting the best of

her and the decisions being made.

Additionally, Shakespeare demonstrates corruption of power in "Macbeth" through

Insanity, by Macbeths hallucinations during his welcome banquet. Macbeth seems to be having a

good night after he ordered the murder of Banquo, but during dinner he says, ""the table is full"

(III. IV. 45) as he is invited to sit next to certain guests. He sees the ghost of Banquo and is very

confused during the situation but no one understands his situation. Macbeth calms down and then

sees the ghost again and says out loud, "Avant! And quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!"
(III.III.92-95). At this moment people really think Macbeth is going crazy and is are questioning

him as king. The uncertainty of his people is not good as he just became king and already has

followers doubting him and his abilities to lead as king.

Moreover, Shakespeare demonstrates corruption of power in "Macbeth" through

Manipulation by the witches giving Macbeth false Prophesies. Hecate first founds out about the

three weird sisters giving Macbeth the real prophesies and is very angry. Hecate tells the three

weird sisters "As the strength of their illusion, shall draw him on to confusion" (III.IV.24-29). We

see that the witches are going to create false things to throw Macbeth off and give him false truths.

Macbeth visits the sisters and they tell him "beware Macduff"(IV.I.71) which is one of three things

he is told. He is already worried about Macduff but this doesn’t help his cause.

Overall, Shakespeare tries to incorporate corruption of power in many different ways. This

makes the play a lot more interesting and more enjoyable to read as it is suspenseful yet mysterious.

To Conclude, Shakespeare demonstrates corruption of power in "Macbeth" through manipulation,

ambition, and insanity.